Getting life insurance after skin cancer is possible. This guide is tailored for individuals who have experienced melanoma, basal cell, squamous cell carcinoma, or pre-cancerous skin conditions.
In this article, we explain how life insurance underwriting works, show you the best life insurance companies and help you find affordable coverage to meet your needs.
- Does Skin Cancer Affect Life Insurance?
- Life Insurance After Melanoma
- How Does Melanoma Cancer Stage & Severity Affect Life Insurance?
- Melanoma Life Insurance Rate Chart
- Basal Cell Carcinoma Life Insurance
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma Life Insurance
- Pre-Cancerous Skin Conditions and Life Insurance
- Skin Cancer Underwriting Questions
- How to Find the Best Life Insurance Rates After Skin Cancer
- FAQ
- Final Words
Does Skin Cancer Affect Life Insurance?
Yes, skin cancer impacts life insurance premiums and eligibility, but it’s often manageable. Insurers evaluate several key factors when determining your coverage:
- Type of Skin Cancer
- Melanoma
- Basal Cell and Squamous Cell
- Pre-Cancerous Skin Conditions
- Stage and Severity
- What was the cancer stage and tumor size?
- If melanoma, was there any reoccurrence?
- How many times have you had skin cancer?
- Treatment History
- How was the cancer treated? Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy.
- Do you visit your dermatologist regularly?
- Time Since Treatment
- When were you diagnosed?
- When did you complete all treatment?
- Overall Health and Medical History
- Do you have any other health conditions?
- Is there a family history of melanoma?
Non-melanoma skin cancers often qualify for preferred rates or better, while melanoma rates typically start at a “standard plus” rate and get more expensive with advanced stages.
By understanding these factors, you can better navigate the process and find the type of life insurance that suits your needs.
Life Insurance After Melanoma
Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer, but life insurance is still possible, even after a severe case. Doctors expect to diagnose about 100,640 cases in America in 2024.[2]
Underwriters evaluate factors like the type, stage, treatment, and how long it’s been since diagnosis and recovery.
The superficial spreading type of melanoma comprises 70% [3] of all melanomas. The rest are either nodular, lentigo maligna or acral lentiginous melanoma.
How Does Melanoma Cancer Stage & Severity Affect Life Insurance?
The following general guidelines and case studies from real clients explain how various cancer stages impact life insurance availability and rates.
Melanoma In Situ
Standard life insurance rates are available with life insurance companies soon after surgery. [4]
As more time passes since surgery, obtaining a standard plus rate may be possible.
In some rare cases, a preferred rate is available.
Case Study
Here’s an example of a client’s experience:
- Gender: Female
- Age: 53
- Diagnosis: Melanoma In Situ at age 52
- Size: 0.1 mm depth
- Occurrences: Single instance
- Outcome: Successfully removed with no complications.
Underwriting Outcomes by Company
- Prudential – Non-Smoker Plus
- Mutual of Omaha – Standard Plus
- Banner Life – Standard Plus
- Nationwide – Standard
- Corebridge – Standard
- John Hancock – Standard
- Protective Life – Standard
- Pacific Life – Standard
Underwriting Outcome: Banner Life, Mutual of Omaha, and Prudential were the best offers, with Banner Life’s pricing being the best among all companies.
Stage T1a Melanoma
Stage 1a melanoma is less than 1 millimeter (mm) in-depth and not ulcerated.
Life insurance is available at standard rates after surgery.
A Standard plus rate may be possible four years after surgery. [5]
Case Study
Here’s an example of a client’s experience:
- Gender: Female
- Age: 33
- Diagnosis: Melanoma T1a at age 32
- Occurrences: Single instance, with history of 5 dysplastic nevi
- Outcome: Successfully removed with no complications.
Underwriting Outcomes by Company
- Prudential – Individual Consideration
- Lincoln – Standard with $5 flat
- John Hancock – Standard Table 4
- Protective – Standard with $5 flat
- Corebridge – Decline
- Pacific Life – Decline
- Banner Life – Decline
- All other companies declined.
Underwriting Outcome: John Hancock was the best offer for this client. The concern most companies had is the young age for melanoma and the history of dysplastic nevi.
As more time passes, we should be able to get a better rate than the table-rated policy.
Stage T1b Melanoma
Stage 1b is more significant than 0.8 mm thick and ulcerated.
Life insurance is available at a higher premium after surgery but may include a flat extra charge.
The flat extra adds $500 – $750 per every $100,000 coverage and lasts five years. [4]
The presence of ulceration indicates that it’s a more severe cancer.
Case Study
Here’s an example of a client’s experience:
- Gender: Male
- Age: 47
- Diagnosis: Melanoma T1b at age 42, melanoma in situ at age 46
- Occurrences: No other history than the above.
- Outcome: Successfully removed with no complications.
Underwriting Outcomes by Company
- Prudential – Table A plus $7.50 flat for 5 years
- Lincoln – Standard with $5 flat for 3 years
- Corebridge Financial – Standard Table 4
- Mutual of Omaha – Table 4 plus $15 flat extra for 3 years
- All other companies declined.
Underwriting Outcome: Corebridge Financial was the best offer at a Table 4 rating.
A table rating is permanent while a flat extra is temporary. The price for a table 4 rating is cheaper so the client decided to take the table 4 now, with the hope that we can get a better offer in the future.
Note: If T1b melanoma was the only history, a standard rate would have been available.
Stage T2a Melanoma
Stage 2a is greater than 1mm but less than 2 mm thick. No indication of ulceration exists with stage 2a melanoma. Most life insurers will postpone coverage for one year after surgery due to the additional risk factors. Stage 2 melanoma cancer cells have not spread to nearby lymph nodes.
When you obtain life insurance, the policy will include a flat extra. The flat extra lasts 5-7 years and adds $750 – $1,000 per every $100,000 coverage. [4]
Case Study
Here’s an example of a client’s experience:
- Gender: Male
- Age: 46
- Diagnosis: Melanoma T2a at age 42.
- Occurrences: No other history than the above.
- Outcome: Successfully removed with no complications.
Client has been diligent with dermatology checkups every 6 months.
Underwriting Outcomes by Company
- Prudential – Standard with $7.50 flat for 2 years
- Lincoln National – Standard
- Nationwide, Corebridge, Symetra – Standard with $5 flat for 2 years
- Protective – Standard with $7 flat for 3 years
Underwriting Outcome: Lincoln National was the best offer at a “standard” rate.
What helped this client was the fact that he continues to get dermatology check-ups every 6 months. Underwriting becomes more difficult if you do not have current medical records for review so make sure you are up to date before applying.
Melanoma Stage 2b
Melanoma Stage 2b is characterized by a thickness of 1-2mm and ulceration.
Some insurers provide coverage with a flat extra of $1,000 per $100,000 in coverage. However, most wait at least a year before offering coverage. [4][6] The flat extra can last seven years or more.
Stage 3 Melanoma
Stage 3 requires lengthy postponement periods of 5 years or longer from when treatment ended.
When life insurance becomes available, companies will include a life insurance table rating and a flat extra fee.
The table ratings typically add 50% to the standard rate for the policy’s life.
The flat extra will add $1500 – $2000 per every $100,000 coverage you consider and may last 5-7 years. [4][6]
Stage 4 Melanoma
Life insurance will deny all types of coverage except for accidental death benefits and guaranteed issue life insurance policies.
A graded benefit guaranteed issue policy limits coverage amounts to $25,000.
Accidental death benefit coverage is available for up to $500,000.
Melanoma Life Insurance Rate Chart
A quick summary of how melanoma impacts life insurance.
| Stage | Postpone? | Flat Extra | Likely Outcome? |
|---|---|---|---|
| In situ | No | No | Standard Plus |
| Stage 1a | No | No | Standard |
| Stage 1b | No | Possibly | Std + Flat Extra |
| Stage 2a* | Yes | $750 – $1000 (1) | Std + Flat Extra |
| Stage 2b* | Yes | $1000 (2) | Std + Flat Extra |
| Stage 3* | Yes | $1500 – $2000 (3) | 5 Year Postpone |
| Stage 4* | Yes | Yes (4) | 10 Year Postpone |
(1) $750 – $1000 per every $100,000 of coverage for 5 – 7 years
(2) $1000 per every $100,000 of coverage for 7+ years
(3) $1500 – $2000 per every $100,000, plus a table rating
(4) Stage 4 melanoma has a minimum 10-year postponement.
Sample Melanoma Term Life Insurance Rates
We assembled the following quotes to give you an idea of life insurance rates after melanoma.
Male – $500,000 – 20-Year Term Life Insurance – Quotes as of 3-25-2024 – Annual rates after the postponement period.
| Melanoma Stage | Age 35 | Age 45 | Age 55 |
|---|---|---|---|
| in-situ | $398 | $865 | $2077 |
| Stage 1a | $615 | $1150 | $2895 |
| Stage 1b | $3115 for 2 years $615 for 18 years | $3650 for 2 years $1150 for 18 years | $5395 for 2 years $2895 for 18 years |
| Stage 2a | $4395 for 5 years $615 for 15 years | $4900 for 5 years $1150 for 15 years | $6645 for 5 years $2895 for 15 years |
| Stage 2b | $5615 for 7 years $615 for 13 years | $6150 for 7 years $1150 for 13 years | $7895 for 7 years $2895 for 13 years |
| Stage 3 | $8423 for 10 years $923 for 10 years | $9225 for 10 years $1725 for 10 years | $11843 for 10 years $4343 for 10 years |
Continued
Female – $500,000 – 20-Year Term Life Insurance – Quotes as of 3-25-2024 – Annual rates after the postponement period.
| Melanoma Stage | Age 35 | Age 45 | Age 55 |
|---|---|---|---|
| in-situ | $335 | $677 | $1450 |
| Stage 1a | $475 | $1095 | $2245 |
| Stage 1b | $2975 for 2 years $475 for 18 years | $3595 for 2 years $1095 for 18 years | $4745 for 2 years $2245 for 18 years |
| Stage 2a | $4225 for 5 years $475 for 15 years | $4845 for 5 years $1095 for 15 years | $5995 for 5 years $2245 for 15 years |
| Stage 2b | $5475 for 7 years $475 for 13 years | $6095 for 7 years $1095 for 13 years | $7245 for 7 years $2245 for 13 years |
| Stage 3 | $8213 for 10 years $713 for 10 years | $9143 for 10 years $1643 for 10 years | $10868 for 10 years $3368 for 10 years |
Something important to consider when buying life insurance is the conversion option available to permanent life insurance coverage. The types of life insurance available for conversion may include universal and whole life.
You may never use this option but it’s good to have if needed.
We assist with many health issues, including high cholesterol, heart conditions, asthma, and more.
Basal Cell Carcinoma Life Insurance
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), is the most common type of skin cancer and doesn’t affect life insurance eligibility. After treatment, most applicants qualify for a preferred rate or better.
This is true unless they use radiation or chemotherapy-based creams. In this case, you are most likely looking at a standard or standard plus rate.
Doctors diagnose over 4 million cases of basal cell carcinoma in the U.S. yearly. [1] With most basal cell cancers, treatment may include:
- Scraping the basal cell from your skin (curettage) & burning the tumor area (electrodesiccation)
- Mohs surgery – removes and examines thin layers of skin until the cancer is removed.
- Excisional surgery to remove the skin cancer
- Radiation Therapy
- Topical Medications
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Life Insurance
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a non-melanoma skin cancer and is generally insurable at favorable rates after treatment:
Underwriting needs to know your cancer history. They want to know where it was on your body and what treatment you had.
Approximately 1 million new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
Pre-Cancerous Skin Conditions and Life Insurance
For example, pre-cancerous conditions like actinic keratosis or atypical moles (dysplastic nevi) can influence underwriting.
Dysplastic Nevi (Atypical Mole)
Dysplastic Nevi are atypical moles that may resemble melanoma. People who have dysplastic nevi are at a higher risk of developing melanoma. Underwriters look at your history, the number of dysplastic nevi, and the time since removal.
Obtaining preferred rates for dysplastic nevi is possible. Most companies consider individuals for their preferred rates if they have fewer than 4-6 dysplastic nevi.
Actinic Keratosis
Similarly, actinic keratosis is a skin condition that can sometimes become skin cancer if not treated. Once treated, underwriting follows the same rules as basal cell carcinoma and sometimes squamous cell carcinoma.
Skin Cancer Underwriting Questions
When applying for life insurance after skin cancer, expect to answer these key questions:
- What type of skin cancer did you have and when were you diagnosed?
- Where on your body was the skin cancer located?
- How was the skin cancer treated?
- What were the start and end dates of treatment?
- Has there been any recurrence of skin cancer?
- The following questions apply to melanoma.
- What stage was the melanoma?
- What was the depth and thickness? (Breslow, AJCC)
- Clark’s Level – Diagnosed before 2010? Clark’s level refers to the depth of tumor invasion.
- Were any lymph nodes cancerous? How many?
- Was the melanoma ulcerated?
- Any pre-cancerous conditions? (dysplastic nevi, Paget’s disease)
- Is there any family history of melanoma?
- Have you had any other health issues?
Your pathology report should have most of this information.
How to Find the Best Life Insurance Rates After Skin Cancer
Not all insurers assess skin cancer the same way. Most companies readily insure basal cell histories at their best rate class right after treatment.
Squamous cell is also readily insurable usually at the preferred or preferred best rate classes, but not with all life insurance companies.
For melanoma, we use a quick quote process where we ask you the above questions, summarize everything, and get preliminary feedback from all companies in about 3 days. You’ll know which company is best before you apply.
FAQ
You have questions about life insurance with skin cancer, and we have the answers.
Final Words
At RiskQuoter, we’re here to simplify the life insurance process for skin cancer survivors. Our friendly service helps you get the best life insurance rates based on your medical history.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote.
References
[1] Basal Cell Carcinoma Overview. Skin Cancer Foundation. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/basal-cell-carcinoma/ Accessed June 17, 2020.
[2] Key Statistics for Melanoma Skin Cancer. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html Accessed June 17, 2020
[3] – Munich American Reassurance Company. (2020). Malignant Melanoma [PDF file].
[4] Prudential Financial, Inc. (2017) Rx for Success Skin Cancer. [PDF file].
[5] Legal & General America. (2011) Dialogue Melanoma – Issue #17 [PDF file]
[6] AIG – American General Life Insurance Company (2014) Melanoma Data A, Thickness 1.01 – 2.0 mm [PDF file]
