What Health Problems Will Raise Life Insurance Rates?

When it comes to getting life insurance, the healthier you are, the better chance you have of getting low rates.   That doesn't mean you won't get life insurance if you have a medical condition of some sort, only that your rates will go up if you have one or more medical conditions.  This article will discuss some of those health problems.

Heart Disease - This condition affects life insurance premiums the most.  Even if you don't have heart disease, but it genetically runs in your family, you may have a difficult time getting good life insurance rates.

Diabetes - If you developed Type 1 diabetes during childhood, not only will you pay higher premiums, you may have a hard time finding a carrier who will insure you at all.  However, if you developed diabetes as an adult and take medication to manage your condition rather than taking insulin, you will have lower rates.

Cancer - The type of cancer, severity of it, and the treatment you received will affect your rates. For example, if you have skin cancer and developed an external sun-related lesion, you will have little or no problem getting insurance.  However, if you have a more severe type of cancer that requires chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, you may have a difficult time getting life insurance, and may end up having to pay higher rates if you do get life insurance.

Obesity - Since obesity and other health problems go hand in hand, you will have a difficult time getting insurance.  However, weight ranges vary from one company to the next, so check with your insurance agent to find out what the life insurance company you're applying with considers obese.

Pulmonary Disease - If you have long-term asthma that isn't seasonal, you can expect to pay a higher rate for life insurance.