Buying Over 50 Life Insurance with Celiac Disease

The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center reports celiac disease affects a minimum of 3 Million Americans.

It is estimated 1 in 100 people have this autoimmune disorder which significantly impacts their digestive system. However, the illness itself is not life-threatening.

Furthermore, millions of other Americans currently present no celiac disease symptoms and remain undiagnosed even though they do carry this inherited disorder.  

Well, if celiac disease is so common (and not life threatening) then why would a life insurance company care if someone suffers from the illness?

Insurance companies care about celiac disease because it can lead to many other serious health problems, including Type 1 diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), osteoporosis, epilepsy, dementia, and intestinal cancers.

Plus, the older you are when diagnosed with celiac then the higher your chances of developing one of these other serious ailments.

In most cases, seniors with well-controlled celiac disease won’t face any obstacles in securing life insurance at a reasonable price.

Properly preparing for the application process will make your experience much easier and, ultimately, will help you secure the cheapest life insurance over age 50.

Take a few minutes to review my tips for securing life insurance that’s best for you and your loved ones.

After all, time spent setting up a financial plan for your family’s future is never a waste.

What to Expect if You Suffer From Celiac Disease

The primary rating factor associated with celiac disease is the amount of control you have over the condition.

The life insurance company will be very interested in whether you follow a gluten free diet, are free of health complications, and have no current damage to the small intestine.

The second aspect of your rating will be based on other characteristics such as your age, occupation, hobbies, tobacco use, and what your overall driving record looks like.  They will also pay attention to and any other chronic illnesses you may be managing.

General Ratings for Celiac Disease

Let’s take a look at how the control of your celiac disease will influence your life insurance rating.

• Preferred Rating – Complete Control is required for the absolute best rates possible. This means you comply with all your doctor’s recommended diets and treatments and you are nearly without any symptoms. If you still have flare ups that require hospital or doctor visits then you most likely not be approved at this rate class.

Remember, to qualify for a Preferred Rating you must also be a very low risk in other areas of life too such as a non-smoker, no other chronic health conditions, no risky job or hobby, etc.

• Standard Rating – Mild Control is when you adhere to all recommended treatments and diets but continue to suffer from some symptoms such as bloating, cramping, mild fatigue, or diarrhea. You may occasionally use over-the-counter medications to manage your symptoms.

A Standard Rating means you’ll receive the average premium despite your illness.

• Sub-Standard (Table Rating) – Moderate Control means you may not be 100% committed to a strict gluten-free diet or other recommended therapies. Your celiac symptoms present frequently, you have other high risk factors including a secondary disease, or you have substantial damage to the small intestine.

In the case of Moderate Control over celiac disease, you may receive a Table Rating anywhere from 1/A to 4/D.

It varies from company to company but generally speaking each table rating will add on about 25% to the cost you have to pay.  

• Postpone or Decline – Uncontrolled is when your symptoms are not managed by typical treatments or medications or your celiac disease has created complications such as a secondary illness.

The insurance company may either completely decline your application or they may postpone it.  

Postponing means that the insurance company decides to not offer you coverage now. 

However, in perhaps 6 months or a year for instance you may be able to apply again, and possibly be approved for coverage at that time.  

This delay will allow you to get better control over your health and possibly get approved at a better rate.

Also, keep in mind that it is usually not a good idea to apply for life insurance policies within the first year after a celiac diagnosis. People that do usually get declined for coverage or, at the very least, a postponement.

This is because life insurers want to see at least 12 months of good control over the illness before approving an application.

Life Insurance Questions about Celiac Disease

It is critical that you answer all application questions truthfully.

Leaving out a detail here or there won’t keep the insurance company from figuring out the real deal.

Once an insurer catches you in a fib, it will be very challenging to secure life insurance coverage.

Basic Application Questions

The easiest application questions are first and they require no explanation.

• What is your age?
• What is your height and your weight?
• What is your job?
• Do you have any dangerous hobbies (i.e. skydiving or rock climbing)?
• Are you married or single?
• Do you drink alcohol? If so, how often and how much?
• Any tobacco usage?

It’s important to note that with every insurance company we are aware of you won’t be able to obtain life insurance coverage at non smoker rates until you have quit smoking cigarettes for a least 1 full year.

Now, if you use other forms of tobacco such as cigars or chewing tobacco for instance, some companies will offer non smoker rates even if you are a current user.  

Celiac Disease Questions

After completing all the general application questions, you’ll be asked for more information about your experience with celiac disease (aka celiac sprue, gluten enteropathy, or coeliac disease).

The life insurer will ask:

• What was the date of your diagnosis?
• How old were you at the time of diagnosis?
• What were your original symptoms?
• What are your current symptoms?
• What, if any, medications were prescribed for your celiac disease?
• Were you ever hospitalized because of celiac disease? When and for how long?
• Do you take any dietary supplements?
• Are you following a gluten-free diet?
• Do you have any other chronic health conditions?
• Has your celiac disease caused other illnesses such as Type 1 diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Epilepsy?

Getting a Great Life Insurance Policy Price At An Affordable Price

Obtaining affordable life insurance if you are 50+ is absolutely possible. The best part: there are things you can do to lower cost you’ll have to pay.

There are plenty of ways to save money on senior life insurance. Below is some free insider advice to consider when shopping for coverage.

1. Apply sooner rather than later. Let’s face it, today is the youngest you’ll ever be again.  
2. Make sure that you do go to the doctor on a regular basis and that you go in for all follow ups that you are doctor asks you to. Participating in all medical visits is necessary.  Insurance companies like to know that you are being proactive with your health.
3. Make sure that you take the medications as prescribed.  It concerns insurance companies if it looks like you are not doing the treatment that is recommend.   
4. Make sure that the number on the scale is a good number for your height.  It can only help you if stick to a healthy diet and fitness plan.
5. Kick the smoking habit! Tobacco use is expensive, and as you already know can lead to multiple different health illness.   By quitting smoking you can roughly cut your life insurance costs in half.
6. Do your best to manage chronic illness (see Tips 1 thru 5).
7. If you buy a life insurance policy now and then experience positive improvements in your health later, you should certainly consider asking for a reconsideration review.

This is when the insurance carrier will take a second look at your profile to determine if they can give you a better rate.

8. Work with an experienced independent insurance agent that can shop, shop, shop for the best life insurance coverage for you and your pocketbook.

Protect Your Family Now

The Celiac Disease Foundation advises that celiac disease can appear at any age. If this chronic autoimmune disorder is left uncontrolled then it can lead to serious health problems.

The correlation between many harmful conditions are often linked to celiac disease. For example, 10% of liver disease patients also have celiac disease and 8-10% of Type 1 diabetics suffer from celiac disease as well.

These advanced medical ailments are what life insurance companies are mostly concerned about when reviewing applications.

No matter your particular situation, I have an extensive amount of experience in helping people find life insurance over 50 years of age.

I help seniors like yourself the coverage they need to protect their family.  I can help you determine the best type of policy for you no matter whether that’s whole life, term life, no exam, guaranteed acceptance, and final expense.

Don’t let your age or your celiac disease discourage you from protecting your family. After all, the loved ones in your life are relying on you to properly plan for the future. Wouldn’t they do the same for you?

I can help.  Get your free instant quote if you like and feel free to give me a call today.