Asthma and Buying Life Insurance - What You Need to Know

Is your history of asthma causing you to pay a higher rate for life insurance? Learn more about asthma, its impact on life insurance rates, and information on receiving a life insurance quote from asthma life insurance specialists.

Life insurance with Asthma Asthma currently affects more that 15 million Americans and it is a concern to all life insurance companies. According to the National Lung Association, while the amount of asthma cases has increased over the last 20 years, it seems to have recently stabilized as the number of deaths and hospitalizations has begun to mildly decrease. While most people feel asthma is not a serious health problem, deaths do occur as a result of the condition. In fact, over 4,000 people died from asthma in 2003 with many additional hospitalizations. If you have been diagnosed or are currently being treated for asthma, there is a good chance that you will pay a slightly higher rate for life insurance. However, in most cases, individuals with asthma can obtain very reasonably priced life insurance coverage.

Asthma Defined

According to the Center for Disease Control, asthma or bronchial asthma is defined as a disease that affects your lungs and causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. This wheezing or coughing is caused by a narrowing or constricting of the airways due to chronic inflammation. When this inflammation occurs, the result can be an asthma attack or a tightening of the chest that creates a significant difficulty in breathing. The degree of attacks and relative level of control determine the type and amount of any treatment.

Other related conditions (or other medical terminology) includes Allergies, COPD, Pulmonary Disease, Bronchial Asthma, and Exercise Induced Asthma. Read more below for more information on asthma and asthma related medical conditions as well as information on term life insurance quotes.

Factors Attributing to Asthma

Asthma can be brought on by several things including:

Pollen, Mold, Animal Hair and Dust
Bacterial and Viral Infections
Smoking and Second Hand Smoke
Perfumes, Household Cleaners, Aerosol Sprays and Paints
Sinus Infections

How Insurance Companies Evaluate Asthma

If an individual applies for life insurance with a history of asthma, insurance companies will carefully review the medical records to determine the degree of the condition. Of significant importance are the history and significance of attacks, how it is being treated and the response to the treatment. Additionally, diagnostic tests, such as pulmonary function test that measures airflow is key to identifying the severity of the condition. Life insurance companies will normally categorize the degree of asthma into one of 4 classes: Seasonal, Mild, Moderate, and Severe.

Seasonal Asthma – Seasonal asthma generally occurs a few times per year during the changing of seasons. Normally seasonal asthma is caused by pollen or other climate related conditions. Medications may be prescribed until the effects of the changes pass.

Mild Asthma - Mild asthma can be defined as infrequent attacks that do not require hospitalization and can be easily treated with oral medications or inhalers.

Moderate Asthma – Moderate asthma includes more frequent attacks often resulting in an occasional visit to a hospital or emergency clinic for treatment. Moderate asthma normally requires medication including nebulizers, oral medication and occasionally steroid based inhalers.

Severe Asthma – Severe asthma includes frequent disabling attacks requiring regular doctor and hospital visits. It is usually treated with a regimen of medications including steroids.

Every insurance company has their own view on asthma with some offering more competitive rates than others. In most cases, mild asthma can obtain, at worst case, standard rates for life insurance while moderate and severe conditions will likely be charged more based on the significance of the actual medical history. Some of the specific questions insurance companies will ask can be found at the important questions on asthma when applying for life insurance.

How Can MEG Financial Help?

At MEG Financial, we have worked with many people with histories of asthma. We have helped those with mild, moderate and even severe asthma secure policies at competitive prices. Our experience helping others with asthma is invaluable to you in identifying the insurance company that will treat you most fairly. For more specific information or to obtain a custom quote, call MEG Financial today at (877) 583-3955. You may also submit this short form and an independent insurance agent will personally contact you to go over any questions or other concerns.