Life Insurance Options For People Living With Epilepsy

People with epilepsy can get life insurance, but the type of policy and cost of coverage will depend on the specifics of their condition. Factors such as the type of epilepsy, frequency and severity of seizures, and any underlying causes will be considered by insurers when determining eligibility and premiums. While some insurers may decline applications or charge higher rates for individuals with severe epilepsy, others specialise in providing coverage for high-risk cases. It is important for applicants to be honest about their medical history and current health status to ensure that their policy remains valid.

What type of epilepsy do you have?

The type of epilepsy you have will play a significant role in determining the type of life insurance policy you can buy and how much you will pay for coverage. Here are some important factors to consider:

Type of Seizures

The type of seizures you experience will be a key factor in the life insurance company's evaluation. Absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal seizures) cause a brief loss of consciousness, while tonic-clonic seizures (previously known as grand mal seizures) can lead to muscle convulsions and are considered higher risk by insurers. The frequency, severity, and duration of seizures will also be taken into account.

Epilepsy Diagnosis and History

Insurers will want to know when you were first diagnosed with epilepsy and the date of your last seizure. If it has been more than two to five years since your last seizure, you may qualify for term life insurance, the most common and affordable type of coverage. A longer period without seizures can also lead to more favourable rates.

Treatment and Management

The life insurance company will be interested in understanding how your epilepsy is being treated and managed. They may ask about the medications you are taking, any surgeries or implants you have had, and the effectiveness of these treatments in controlling your seizures. Well-controlled epilepsy with consistent medication adherence can lead to better rates.

Overall Health and Lifestyle

In addition to epilepsy-specific factors, insurers will also consider your overall health and lifestyle. This includes your age, gender, weight, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and other medical conditions. Leading a healthy lifestyle, such as maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and drinking in moderation, can positively impact your premiums.

Specialist Brokers and Comparison Shopping

Working with a specialist broker or comparing quotes from multiple insurers can be beneficial. Each insurer has different underwriting criteria, so it is worth exploring various options to find the most suitable policy at the best price. A broker can guide you through the process and help you navigate the complexities of epilepsy-related life insurance.

How often do you have seizures?

The frequency of your seizures is a key factor in determining your life insurance options and rates. The more frequent your seizures are, the more you'll have to pay for life insurance.

If you have fewer than seven seizures per year, you may qualify for a Substandard risk classification, which means you'll pay higher-than-average rates. If you have seven or more seizures per year, you generally won't qualify for traditional life insurance, but you may have other options, such as guaranteed issue life insurance.

If you haven't had a seizure in over two years, you may qualify for Standard rates, which are average and assigned to people with an average level of insurance risk. If you haven't had a seizure in five or more years, you may even qualify for Preferred rates, which are the second-most affordable rates for people with a lower-than-average insurance risk.

The type of seizures you experience also matters. Tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as grand mal seizures) are considered higher risk by insurers, and people who experience them might not always be eligible for traditional life insurance. On the other hand, absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal seizures) are less likely to result in higher premiums, especially if you haven't had one in the last five to ten years.

The date of your last seizure is critical information for the underwriter and will impact the underwriting process. If your most recent seizure happened within the last 24 months, a table rating may be applied, resulting in an additional 200% premium depending on the risk. If your last seizure was beyond five years ago, standard life insurance rates may apply, and you may even get preferred rates.

Some insurance companies will offer standard terms if you have fewer than 50 attacks per year or haven't had an attack in over six months. If you have tonic-clonic seizures, the prices for life insurance will likely be subject to a small premium increase, which will be higher if you have more than 12 attacks per year.

In summary, the frequency of your seizures will significantly impact your life insurance options and rates. The longer it has been since your last seizure, the better your chances of obtaining affordable life insurance.

How long since your last seizure?

The length of time since your last seizure is a critical factor in determining your life insurance eligibility and rates. The longer it has been since your last seizure, the better your chances of obtaining life insurance at a reasonable rate. Here's what you need to know about how the time since your last seizure impacts your life insurance options:

Seizure-Free for 2 to 5 Years

If it has been two to five years since your last seizure, you will likely be eligible for term life insurance, the most common and affordable type of coverage. At this point, your epilepsy is considered well-controlled, and you may qualify for standard or even preferred rates, depending on the insurance company. Standard rates are assigned to individuals with an average level of insurance risk, while preferred rates are for those with a lower-than-average risk.

Seizure-Free for Over 5 Years

If it has been more than five years since your last seizure, your chances of obtaining life insurance improve even further. You may be able to qualify for preferred rates with some insurance companies, which offer the second-best rates for individuals with just one or two mild and well-controlled health conditions. The longer the time since your last seizure, the more favourable the insurance rates you may be offered.

Recent Seizures

On the other hand, if you have experienced seizures within the last two years or have frequent seizures, your insurance options may be more limited and expensive. You may be classified as a substandard risk, resulting in higher premiums. If you have seizures more than seven times per year or experience prolonged unconsciousness during seizures, you may not qualify for traditional life insurance but may need to explore alternative options such as final expense insurance or guaranteed issue life insurance.

Working with an Expert

It is recommended to work with an impaired risk life insurance expert or an independent broker who understands epilepsy life insurance underwriting. They can help you navigate the complexities of underwriting and find the best insurance options for your specific situation. They will be able to shop your medical information to multiple insurance companies and help you make an informed decision.

What medication do you take?

When applying for life insurance, you will be required to provide detailed information about your epilepsy, including the date of your diagnosis, the type of epilepsy you have, the frequency of your seizures, and any medications you are taking to prevent or control them.

If your epilepsy is controlled with medication and you haven't had a seizure in the last two to five years, you will likely be able to buy term life insurance, the most common and affordable type of coverage. The more frequent and severe your seizures are, the more you will pay for life insurance.

It is important to keep a good record of your medical history and to regularly visit your doctor. Life insurance companies want to see that you are taking the proper precautions to keep your epilepsy under control. They will also want to know if you have any other medical conditions and if you are a tobacco user.

• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)
• Valproic acid (Depakote)
• Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Topiramate (Topamax)
• Levetiracetam (Keppra)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)

These medications fall into two classes: narrow-spectrum and broad-spectrum. Narrow-spectrum medications are prescribed for specific types of seizures, such as focal, myoclonic, or absence seizures. Broad-spectrum medications are prescribed for a broad variety of seizures and may be helpful if you experience more than one seizure type.

What is the impact on your life insurance application?

The impact of epilepsy on your life insurance application will depend on the specifics of your condition. While it is possible to get life insurance if you have epilepsy, the type of policy you can buy and how much you'll pay for coverage will be determined by your history of epilepsy.

Type of Seizures

The type of seizures you experience will play a significant role in determining the impact on your life insurance application. Insurers will want to know the type of seizures you have, how frequently you get them, and their severity.

If you have absence seizures (formerly known as petit mal seizures), where you blank out or stare into space for a few seconds, you may be assigned Preferred or Standard rates by some insurers if you haven't had a seizure in the last five to ten years. However, if you've had a seizure more recently, you may be classified as a Substandard risk, resulting in higher premiums.

For tonic-clonic seizures (formerly known as grand mal seizures), which can cause strong muscle movements and convulsions, you are considered a higher risk by insurers. You will likely be assigned a Substandard risk classification, resulting in increased premiums.

Frequency and Severity of Seizures

The frequency and severity of your seizures will also impact your life insurance options and rates. If your epilepsy is controlled with medication, and you haven't had a seizure in the last two to five years, you will likely be able to purchase term life insurance, the most common and affordable type of coverage.

On the other hand, if you were recently diagnosed with epilepsy or experience more than seven seizures per year, your coverage options may be limited to final expense insurance, which does not have medical requirements for approval.

Generally, the more frequent and severe your seizures are, the higher your life insurance rates will be. However, it's important to shop around and compare quotes from multiple insurers, as every life insurance company will evaluate your history of epilepsy differently.

Other Factors

In addition to the type, frequency, and severity of seizures, other factors related to your epilepsy will also impact your life insurance application. These include:

• The date of your epilepsy diagnosis
• The date of your first seizure
• The date of your most recent seizure
• The type of treatment you are receiving, including medications, surgeries, or implants
• Any hospitalizations due to seizures
• Any loss of consciousness during seizures
• Any underlying conditions or health complications

It's important to be honest and forthcoming when disclosing information about your epilepsy during the life insurance application process. Providing inaccurate or misleading information could result in your application being denied or your policy being cancelled.

Frequently asked questions