Life Insurance for People in Wheelchairs
Are You Looking for Life Insurance for a Wheelchair Bound Person?
Being wheelchair bound is not an automatic disqualification for all life insurance, but is an automatic decline for most insurers.
Your best bet to get insured is guaranteed approval life insurance, which does not ask any health questions or require any health exam at all.
However, there are very few options like that for persons under age 45.
If you are able to transfer independently, it may be possible to get a simplified issue life insurance policy, that asks some health questions.
Top Pick – Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha offers guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance for people age 45 to 85. Choose $2,000 up to $25,000 of coverage. Rates start as low as $8.84 per month. There’s no medical exam and no health questions. You cannot be turned down. You can get a quote and apply online now. START HERE to get a FREE Quote.
There are some insurance companies that will consider a fully underwritten policy of any size if the wheelchair bound person is able to handle full time employment, transfer independently, etc.
Many insurance carriers will insure an individual with cerebral palsy for life insurance, although it will be a highly rated (more expensive) policy.
Being wheelchair bound is not a reason for a life insurance application to be automatically declined.
However, having a significant health condition; such as, cerebral palsy will have a significant impact on insurability, as well as the type of policy and company that will offer coverage.
With many life insurance companies, you can submit what is called a trial application.
This simply means that the insurer will obtain your medical records (with your consent of course) and determine exactly what rate class you qualify for before discussing policy specifics; such as, pricing and amount of coverage available.
With any life insurance application, the rate quoted is not guaranteed until the underwriting process is finished.
By completing the underwriting first your insurance agent will know exactly what you qualify for and exactly what the premium will be.
That way, you won't waste a lot of time discussing what an agent thinks the rate will be, you will know for sure.
The wheelchair itself is a decline for some companies, but for most it's the reason for the wheelchair that is most important in determining if the insurance company will insure you for life insurance.
You may want to find a local independent agent who can help you look for an affordable policy.
There are companies that will write a life insurance policy for you. What you want to be aware of and look for, are how the policy will be classified.
There are policies issued for people with no big health issues, policies for minor health issues, and policies for people with bigger health issues.
These policies are called "graded", "modified", or "guaranteed issue" policies.
They all are more expensive, and will have a period of time where the return on the policy will be reduced, if you were to pass away (within the first two years of being insured).
That is where the independent insurance agent can really help.
You want to find the most affordable price, with the shortest grade (the period of reduced payment of benefits), and the highest return to you.
Someone who is a paraplegic may qualify for a good rate on life insurance.
If you live with your own family, drive your own vehicle to work, and have many coworkers at your office – it may help you qualify for a lower rate on your policy.
One big underwriting concern is the ability to vacate the premises in case of an emergency.
Wheelchair-bound people who live by themselves are very tough to underwrite for life insurance coverage due to that exact fear.
Other issues include complications and organ dysfunction due to lack of mobility.
By and large you can be eligible for coverage, but it requires some very careful pre-qualification to make sure all the quote information is thorough and accurate, and that the insurance companies fully understand how you are managing all of your medical and lifestyle issues.
Life insurance and Life Insurance underwriting has changed a great deal over the past 20 years.
What would really matter is your overall health situation.
Also, your driving record, employment information, and medications being taken, among other things.
Life Insurance for Paraplegic or Quadriplegic
If you’re trying to purchase a traditional term life or whole life insurance policy with a condition like paraplegia or quadriplegia it can sometimes feel very difficult, if not impossible.
Paraplegia versus Quadriplegia
Paraplegia is the complete loss of movement (i.e. paralysis) of the lower limbs, while quadriplegia or tetraplegia is defined as paralysis of all four limbs.
How Does This Happen?
There are many reasons why someone can become a paraplegic. Some of the most common reasons include the following:
These are just some of the causes. There are other diseases and issues that could also cause paraplegia and or quadriplegia.
Treatment Available for Paraplegia and Quadriplegia
Physiotherapy can be helpful. This can help the patient to control other muscles which in turn increases their mobility.
Recovering from Paraplegia or Quadriplegia
There are very few instances in which a person can recover from paraplegia.
Some of the situations where a patient may recover include:
But if you’re looking to find a life insurance policy that you might be able to qualify for, you’ve found the right place to look.
Qualifying for Life Insurance with Paraplegia or Quadriplegia
If you are applying for life insurance, then the number one thing life insurance companies look at is your risk factors.
Do You Have a Disease Or Sickness That Could Lower Your Life Expectancy?
Your life expectancy is how long you are expected to live.
The longer the better with life insurance companies, because that means you will continue to pay your insurance premiums for a longer period of time.
Paraplegics can go on to life normal expectancies, the extent of neurological impairment does impact the life expectancy of a paraplegic.
If the damage is quite bad, then yes, there is a chance paraplegics or quadriplegics can die prematurely. Additionally, life tends to be more difficult as a paraplegic/quadriplegic.
What Does This Mean for Life Insurance Carriers?
While paraplegia or quadriplegia may not be the direct cause of death, it could result in it.
For example, lack of mobility can increase the chance of accidental death.
Depression may cause premature death as well.
Will You Be Able to Qualify for a Traditional Term Life or Whole Life Insurance Policy?
Yes, in many instances both paraplegics and quadriplegics can qualify for both term and whole life insurance, it’s just going to be really tough and you need to know "which" insurance companies are going to give you the greatest opportunity for coverage, at a price you can afford.
Getting a Good Rate on Life Insurance
Unfortunately, regardless of whether you have paraplegia or quadriplegia you’re not going to be able to qualify for Preferred Plus, Preferred or even Standard rated life insurance coverage.
That means, you will pay a higher rate per $1,000 of life insurance compared to anyone who is of average health, or better than average health.
What Rate Will You Get for Life Insurance?
The rate a person will pay for their life insurance plan will depend on many factors in addition to which "type" of "-plegia" that you have.
With paraplegia the rate you get will get depend on two major things:
Of course, other factors will go into determining your rate for insurance; such as, other health issues and lifestyle choices, but if those are pretty normal, then it’s these two things that matter most.
People Under Age Sixty
If you are under sixty years old, then you will get a Table D-H rate.
Please Note: It is very difficult to get a Table D rate as a paraplegic.
In fact, the majority of people who do qualify will get a Table H.
Rare Cases
If your health is exceptionally good considering the circumstances and you have no other health issues, then you may get Table D, E, F, or G classification for your life insurance rate.
People Over Age Sixty
Just like people under sixty, your rates will fall in Table D-H.
The reason we have separated these two categories is because while it’s difficult to get better than a Table H under 60, it’s important to emphasize that over the age of sixty, it is near impossible to get anything above a Table H.
Quadriplegics
Whether you are applying for a traditional term policy or a whole life insurance policy with quadriplegia, what you’re generally going to find is that the "best" case scenario will be that you qualify for a Table I-J; however, most individuals will most likely be denied coverage.
Qualifying for a traditional term insurance or whole life policy will be tough.
But you can contact an independent life insurance broker with experience placing life insurance for people who are wheelchair bound.
For those that do get denied traditional life insurance coverage, you can take a look at a guaranteed issue life insurance policy.
These "type" of life insurance policies are “automatic” assuming that you are a U.S. citizen, meet the age requirement, and live in a state where the insurance carrier is licensed to do business, and offers the plan.
Finding the Best Life Insurance Company
Since you’re trying to get the best possible rate, it’s important to note that not all life insurers handle paraplegia or quadriplegia in the same way.
Insurance companies don’t even handle simple things like obesity, smoking, or high blood pressure the same. Each insurer has their own set of underwriting guidelines for approval of applicants for life insurance coverage.
Life Insurance Quotes
Top Pick – United of Omaha
United of Omaha offers guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance for people age 45 to 85. Choose $2,000 up to $25,000 of coverage. Rates start as low as $8.84 per month. There’s no medical exam and no health questions. You cannot be turned down. You can get a quote and apply online now. START HERE to get a FREE Quote.
Highly Recommended – JRC Insurance Group
JRC Insurance Group helps you shop, compare and save on life insurance. Regardless of your age or health background, we'll shop our 40+ insurance companies and find you affordable life insurance you need to protect your family and fit your budget. Compare the best life insurance rates for savings up to 73%. Get Your FREE Quote.
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