Having an aortic valve condition, such as aortic stenosis or regurgitation, shouldn’t stop you from getting affordable life insurance.
This guide simplifies what you must know about life insurance underwriting for heart conditions to confidently make informed decisions.
How Your Health Affects Life Insurance Rates
Insurance companies base their rates on the severity of your aortic condition:
Mild Condition – Table Rating 2 – Table Rating 4
Moderate Condition – Table Rating 4 – Table Rating 6
Severe Condition – Typically declined, but guaranteed issue policies may be available.
Understanding Aortic Stenosis
According to the Mayo Clinic, aortic stenosis occurs when your aortic valve doesn’t fully open, restricting blood flow from the heart. It may be congenital (present at birth) or develop from aging, calcification, or illness.
Common symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or fainting
- Heart murmur detected by a doctor
Many people discover aortic stenosis after a doctor hears a heart murmur. A simple heart test, such as an echocardiogram, helps doctors assess severity.
How Does Aortic Stenosis Affect Life Insurance
The table below shows general underwriting guidelines for aortic stenosis by age:
| Age | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-29 | Table 4-5 | Table 6-12 | Decline |
| 30-44 | Table 3-4 | Table 5-8 | Decline |
| 45-59 | Table 2-4 | Table 4-8 | Decline |
| 60-74 | Table 1-3 | Table 3-6 | Decline |
| 75+ | Standard | Table 2-3 | Decline |
Each table rating increases your premium by about 25% from standard rates.
Additional factors that could impact your premiums include pacemakers, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, diabetes, GI conditions, or previous significant health issues like cancer.
Case Studies for Aortic Stenosis
Mild Aortic Stenosis – A confirmed diagnosis after an echocardiogram will result in underwriting offers in the standard plus – standard table 4 range.
Example: Male, age 45 for $1,000,000 – 20 year term annual premium – quotes as of 7-1-2024, rates vary by company
| Rate Class | Company “A” | Company “B” |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Plus | $1591 | $1755 |
| Table 2 | $2341 | $3255 |
| Table 4 | $3092 | $4405 |
As you can see, prices vary widely by company, so using the quick quote process we mentioned is critical to get the best rate.
Understanding Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic regurgitation happens when the valve doesn’t close properly, causing blood to leak back into the heart.
Symptoms typically include:
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart Blocks
Severe regurgitation might require surgical intervention with a procedure called an annuloplasty or heart valve replacement.
How Does Aortic Regurgitation Affect Life Insurance
The underwriting approach for aortic regurgitation mirrors that for stenosis, based on severity and age:
| Age | Mild | Moderate | Severe |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-29 | Table 4-5 | Table 6-12 | Decline |
| 30-44 | Table 3-4 | Table 5-8 | Decline |
| 45-59 | Table 2-4 | Table 4-8 | Decline |
| 60-74 | Table 1-3 | Table 3-6 | Decline |
| 75+ | Standard | Table 2-3 | Decline |
The ratings for aortic regurgitation are similar to those for mitral valve regurgitation.
Tips for Getting the Best Life Insurance Rates
- Complete All Tests: Follow your doctor’s advice and complete recommended cardiac testing.
- Detailed Health Records: Ensure your medical history is accurate and well-documented.
- Quick Quote Process: Use our quick quote process to get rapid feedback from insurers familiar with your condition.
Life Insurance After Aortic Valve Replacement
Underwriting after valve replacement depends on your age, valve type (mechanical or tissue-based), and recovery progress.
Companies usually postpone coverage 6-12 months after heart surgery due to higher short-term risks.
Example guidelines from major insurers:
John Hancock Aortic Valve Replacement Underwriting
John Hancock requires a 12-month postponement period and will consider the following ratings 1:
| Age | Mechanical Valve | Tissue Valve |
|---|---|---|
| 0-19 | I.C. | I.C. |
| 20-39 | Table 8 | I.C. |
| 40-49 | Table 6 | I.C. |
| 50-69 | Table 4 | Table 4 |
| 70+ | Table 3 | Table 2 |
Corebridge Financial Aortic Valve Replacement Underwriting
Corebridge Financial underwrites aortic valve replacement after a shorter 6-month postponement period.
| Age | Rating |
|---|---|
| Less than 40 | I.C. |
| 40-49 | Table 10 |
| 50-59 | Table 8 |
| 60-69 | Table 5 |
| 70+ | Table 3 |
Other factors, like your heart’s ejection fraction percentage, are considered. An ejection fraction of less than 50% is a decline. Or if you have additional conditions, such as cardiomyopathy.
If you have other health issues such as a cancer history, diabetes, or other significant high-risk health issues, it’s almost impossible to get coverage.
Prudential Aortic Valve Replacement Underwriting
Prudential does well underwriting valve replacements and will consider coverage after a 12-month postponement period 2:
| Age | Rating |
|---|---|
| Less than 25 | Decline |
| 25-39 | Table F (6) |
| 40-49 | Table E (5) |
| 50-59 | Table D (4) |
| 60-69 | Table C (3) |
| 70+ | Table B (2) |
The above ratings assume favorable cardiac workups and no further issues related to the heart valve. This same underwriting table is used if you had mitral valve replacement surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
Premiums depend on severity—mild cases might see modest increases, whereas moderate to severe cases significantly impact pricing.
Living with an aortic condition doesn’t mean you can’t secure life insurance. While underwriting may require extra effort, many affordable options are available.
At RiskQuoter.com, we specialize in matching individuals with health conditions to insurers who understand their needs.
Request your personalized quote today, and secure the financial protection your family deserves.
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