How to apply for final expense insurance when diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy
Have you gotten turned down for life insurance because of being diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy? Have you applied multiple times for final expense life insurance only to get turned down each time and now you are tired of applying?
Well, don’t give up just yet. In this article we will provide some information to help you apply for burial life insurance when diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy.
The National Institute of Diabetes defines diabetic neuropathy as nerve damage that occur in diabetics. The symptoms of this condition is pain and numbness usually in legs and feet. If blood sugar and fat levels in the blood is not controlled, over time, this can lead to diabetic neuropathy.
Neuropathy can also affect non diabetics too. But for this article, we will discuss how a diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy can affect the type of burial insurance you can qualify for.
Here are some things to know before applying for final expense insurance when you have diabetic neuropathy.
When applying for any kind of insurance coverage, each insurance company has their own set of health questions that they ask to see if you will qualify for coverage. Depending on how you answer the questions, can get you the best rates and coverage all the way to a flat out decline.
The bad news is a lot of insurance companies ask about diabetic neuropathy, and you could get declined for coverage or pay higher premium with waiting periods.
The good news is…
There are insurance companies that do not ask about diabetic neuropathy, so you could possibly qualify for the same rates and coverage as someone who do not have any health conditions.
My husband and I have life insurance with Royal Neighbors of America, and unlike most insurers, they don’t ask about diabetic neuropathy on their burial insurance application.
The key to knowing what plan would be best for one with diabetic neuropathy, is working with an agent that has extensive knowledge about burial insurance companies.
If you work with an insurance agent that only represents one insurance company, and their health questions ask about diabetic neuropathy, you could get declined or have to pay more with a waiting period before full coverage begins.
An insurance broker is an insurance agent that represents multiple insurance companies. It is best to work with a licensed insurance broker who specializes in final expense life insurance. This expertise can work in your favor so you can get the best rates, as well as seeing if you would qualify for immediate coverage.
We are an insurance broker specializing in burial insurance/ final expense insurance since 2012, and a lot of our clients have diabetic neuropathy. Thankfully, we were able to get them burial insurance that had the same rates as someone who does not have diabetic neuropathy.
How burial life insurance companies determine eligibility
No physical is needed to get qualified for burial life insurance. The insurance carrier will check your medical history and pharmacy record, in most cases, for the last 2 to 4 years. This is done along with your application to verify your health. Some basic health questions regarding diabetes are:
- What is your height?
- What is your weight?
- Have you used any kind of tobacco products in the last 12 months?
- Have you ever had an insulin shock or diabetic coma before?
- Have you been treated for eye disease?
- Have you been treated for kidney disease?
- Have you had an amputation?
- Have you used insulin before the age 50?
- When were you first diagnosed with diabetes?
- What medications are you taking?
Some prescriptions are prescribed for multi purposes, so it is best for us to go over all prescriptions you are and were taking. Sometimes insurance carriers will assume you have diabetic neuropathy, even though you haven’t been diagnosed with it.
For example, gabapentin is prescribed for different reasons like seizures, pain and restless leg syndrome. However, if you are a diabetic taking gabapentin, most insurance carriers will assume you are taking it for diabetic neuropathy.
Some common prescriptions that insurance carriers consider for diabetic neuropathy are:
- Gabapentin
- Neurontin
- Cymbalta
- Lyrica
- Pregabalin
- Carbamazepine
- Epitol
- Carbatrol
- Tegretol
But there is no cause for alarm. We are here to help.
Bottom line..
It is best to work with an insurance broker that represents multiple final expense life insurance companies to get the best price and coverage based on your situation.
As I always tell anyone I speak with, “I am here to help, so while we talk there are no right and wrong answers. Feel free, be honest about your situation and know there will be a program that will give you the peace of mind that you are looking for.”
So this is the crux of the matter, and it’s a simple process when working with a final expense or burial insurance expert who know which insurance carrier to recommend that would be best for your situation.
We can help you with one phone call!
Give us a call at 877-427-9380 or fill out our contact form to get the most accurate rates. You can also get an instant quote now.