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According to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association’s blood pressure category guidelines, nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure, or hypertension.1 Given the prevalence of this condition, insurers won’t often deny life insurance coverage for high blood pressure. However, your rates can depend on the severity of your blood pressure readings and numerous other factors. Below, we’ll discuss how high blood pressure impacts life insurance and explore some policy options for those with hypertension.
You can qualify for life insurance with high blood pressure. However, you may pay higher rates since life insurers must account for a higher risk level that this condition presents. That said, you may still qualify for rates within your budget, if your condition is well-managed and other factors of your application are satisfactory.2
Life insurance companies may vary in what reading they classify as high blood pressure. However, many consider high blood pressure to be a minimum reading of 135 (systolic) over 85 (diastolic). Some may have stricter requirements of 130 over 80.2 Insurers often group applicants with high blood pressure based on the American Heart Association’s elevated blood pressure categories.
High blood pressure doesn’t automatically result in high premiums. Several other factors can impact the rates you’ll pay:2
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
People with high blood pressure have various life insurance options to choose from:2
Term life insurance provides coverage for a period of your choice, usually 10, 20, or 30 years. If you outlive the policy, you may need to renew coverage or purchase a new policy to maintain life insurance. However, term life insurance generally offers competitive premiums for a larger death benefit, possibly making it the most cost-effective option. Therefore, these options may work if you want to keep costs within your budget while maximizing coverage.
Whole life insurance is a permanent life insurance policy, offering lifelong protection and a cash value growth component that can grow with each premium payment. The cash value can earn tax-deferred interest at a fixed rate the insurer sets.
Once you accumulate enough cash value, you have options to possibly cash it out via low-rate, no-credit-check loans and policy withdrawals. You may also be able to surrender the policy if you no longer need benefit coverage to receive its cash surrender value minus surrender charges.
Whole life insurance premiums may be more impactful to your budget, in comparison to other policy types. However, those who want lifelong coverage and an added savings component built into the coverage may find this policy worth the cost.
Universal life insurance offers the same lifelong coverage and cash value component with fixed interest as whole life insurance. However, you can adjust your death benefit to fit your coverage or budget needs. Those who want lifelong coverage but need more flexibility could opt for universal life insurance.
Guaranteed issue life insurance is a small whole life insurance policy that approves all applicants. It requires no medical exam and does not ask medical questions on the application. Plus, premiums are adjusted to account for the smaller death benefit. This makes it an excellent option for those with high blood pressure who don’t want medical conditions to influence their life insurance.
However, these policies may have waiting periods. Your beneficiaries only receive a refund of premiums paid if you pass away during the specified waiting period.
Final expense insurance is a small whole life insurance policy designed to help with end-of-life costs, such as medical bills and funeral expenses. The death benefit is small, but premiums are often available to fit many budgets. It also typically offers lifelong coverage and wealth-building through cash value. Plus, these often don’t require medical exams. The insurance company may ask medical questions on the application.
If your primary concern is helping loved ones cover your end-of-life expenses and you want to keep life insurance costs low, a final expense policy may be a good choice.
Following a few tips can help those with high blood pressure find desired coverage at competitive rates:
Independent insurance agents are insurance professionals who help you shop for quotes and navigate the life insurance process. They earn commissions from life insurers when they sell a policy. Independent insurance agents work for themselves, not a life insurer, which can allow them to focus more on your needs. An insurance agent, especially one experienced in helping applicants with health conditions, can help you find multiple quotes and help you determine a policy that meets your needs and fits your budget despite having high blood pressure.
Insurers vary in how they calculate risk, meaning each insurer may charge different premiums for the same individual and coverage amount. Plus, insurers must compete with each other to win the business of applicants.
Therefore, shopping for multiple quotes is one of the best ways for those with high blood pressure to find competitive rates on the coverage they need. Agents can help by gathering quotes for you and showing you how policy costs, coverages, and terms differ.
Visiting your doctor regularly can help reduce rates and perhaps improve approval chances for a couple of reasons:
Those with new high blood pressure diagnoses or related health issues may consider visiting the doctor regularly so the doctor can provide a treatment strategy and medication to help you manage your condition. Those with stable and well-managed conditions may not require frequent doctor visits. Ultimately, talk to your doctor to determine what’s right for you.
Adjust your diet and lifestyle to avoid substances that can raise blood pressure. This can help you manage the condition and potentially be categorized with a lower risk. Some substances to avoid include:
Life insurance may be more impactful to your budget if you have high blood pressure, but plenty of options are available, and insurers consider other factors when deciding whether to approve you for a policy. Controlling your hypertension and leading a healthy lifestyle may help reduce your blood pressure and demonstrate a good faith effort to manage the condition. If you’re seeking life insurance coverage at cost-conscious rates despite having high blood pressure, Aflac is here to help. Speak with an agent today to learn more about your options and get a quote.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Facts About Hypertension. Updated July 6, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm. Accessed May 20, 2024.
2Policygenius - Best life insurance for high blood pressure (2024). Updated May 1, 2024 https://www.policygenius.com/life-insurance/high-blood-pressure/. Accessed May 20, 2024.
3Bankrate – Best life insurance for high blood pressure. Updated March 14, 2024. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/life-insurance/high-blood-pressure/. Accessed May 20, 2024.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Aflac life plans - 68000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100, ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68100-A68400. 65000 series: In Virginia, Policies ICC0965JTO & ICC0965JWO. B61000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B61JWO & ICC18B61JTO. In Delaware, Policies B61JWO, B61JTO. B60000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Q60000 series/Whole: In Arkansas & Delaware, Policy Q60100M. In Idaho, Policy Q60100MID. In Oklahoma, Policy Q60100MOK. Not available in Virginia. Q60000 series/Term: In Delaware, Policies Q60200CM. In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Policies ICC18Q60200C, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C. Not available in Virginia.
Aflac Final Expense insurance coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated and is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).
In AR, DE, ID, OK and VA: Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22. Aflac Final Expense policies are not available in New York.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.
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Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211
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