Many people think of life insurance as a safety net for the loved ones they might leave behind when they pass away. However, it often has many other functions. Besides giving you peace of mind that you’ve taken steps to help ensure your family won’t suffer financially after you’re gone, life insurance can potentially serve other areas of your financial plan and be a flexible tool to use as your life circumstances change.
Life insurance does involve an application process, and not all applications are ultimately approved. It’s often a long process that can be daunting for applicants. Fortunately, some providers use a simplified process for approving applications, and this process has fewer requirements. If you’re worried that you won’t qualify for life insurance or you’re concerned about a long and complicated process, the paragraphs below will explain alternatives that might help you get the coverage you need without the extra hassle.
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Some Factors that Determine Eligibility for Life Insurance Coverage
Insurance providers generally base your eligibility for coverage on the extent of the financial risk they’re accepting by insuring you. Many life insurance policies have a death benefit that is a set amount regardless of how many payments the policyholder has made. As a result, the company’s risk is higher if the person will likely pass away shortly after purchasing the policy and lower if the person can be expected to live a long time. These lifespan estimates are based on data collected over the years from people with certain risk factors, including:
Age
The older you are, the more likely you are to have serious health problems. That means you could pass away having made fewer payments than a younger person will over the course of the policy. If you’re applying for a policy at an older age, your chances of being denied will be higher. If you are approved, your premiums will likely also be higher.
Current health status
Healthier people are more likely to get approved, while people with health complications may be less likely to get approved, depending on their condition. Some providers may use extensive testing and a medical exam as assessment tools to determine your eligibility and your premiums.
Family health history
Smoking
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for all types of cancers and cardiovascular disease. Because of this, people who are heavy smokers or who use chewing tobacco, vape pens, or smoking cessation products like nicotine patches are usually riskier to insure. A provider might still approve your application, but higher rates will likely apply. Some insurers may consider lowering your premiums if you quit smoking, so keep this in mind as you explore your options.
Occupation and hobbies
The insurance provider you choose also matters. Different companies use different criteria to assess your risk and determine your premiums. If you’re denied coverage by one insurance company, look around for another provider or a different type of plan, and you may be able to find the coverage you need.
Traditional versus No Medical Life Insurance
If you’re concerned about your eligibility, you may be interested in No Medical Life Insurance rather than a traditional plan.
Traditional life insurance often requires full medical underwriting. This generally means that an insurer will want you to undergo a medical exam, which typically includes taking blood and urine samples and extensive questionnaires about your medical history and illnesses your biological relatives have had. Additionally, you may be asked to undergo more tests if anything comes up on your preliminary screening. All of this takes time to arrange, and your results take even more time to analyze. The entire process can sometimes take several months, at the end of which you could still be denied coverage.
No Medical Life Insurance does not require the same medical testing. There is normally a questionnaire, but it is typically less in-depth, and you can often qualify for coverage even with pre-existing conditions. Because it takes less time to process your application, if you are approved coverage can begin in a few weeks, sometimes even sooner. If you’re concerned about your medical history or if you just don’t like needles or exams, this type of plan may be perfect for you.
Canada Protection Plan
Canada Protection Plan is a leading provider of Simplified Issue/No Medical Life Insurance. We offer both Term Life Insurance and Permanent Life Insurance plans tailored to your health status. Our plans range from Guaranteed Acceptance Life, designed for people with very serious health conditions, to Preferred Elite Life, for applicants in excellent health but who need insurance quickly. Explore our full range of policies to find one that’s perfect for you.
Ready to move ahead, or have more questions? Contact us today to talk to one of our experienced agents. We’re happy to help!
421243 CAN (11/22)
