How To Get Life Insurance With a Kidney Transplant History [2024]

Life insurance for kidney transplant patients poses more challenges than the average policy. If you have had a kidney transplant, you will have a more difficult time obtaining life insurance than those who have not had organ transplants.

If you had life insurance before your kidney transplant, you wouldn’t see an increase in insurance rates after the transplant since rates are locked in. But if you’re looking for new coverage, you may be facing higher rates.

Organ transplants are correlated with higher death rates, which can make buying life insurance with a kidney transplant very difficult. However, it is possible for kidney transplant patients to get affordable life insurance. Plus, there are many benefits that come with purchasing life insurance.

Keep reading to learn about the various life insurance options available to kidney transplant patients and how you can compare quotes to find the best life insurance rates possible.

How To Get Life Insurance for Kidney Transplant Patients

There are three standard steps to follow to buy life insurance as a kidney transplant patient:

Step One – Research Types of Life Insurance Policies

First, kidney transplant patients should research life insurance types and determine what life insurance is best for them. Searching for life insurance for kidney transplant patients by policy type can help you narrow down your options.

Usually, patients choose between term life insurance, permanent life insurance, and guaranteed life insurance. Typically, your life insurance company will offer you a policy with monthly life insurance rates included. Life insurance rates are usually paid per month.

Still, there are notable differences between each major type of life insurance plan.

Term Life Insurance

One of the most common forms of life insurance is term life insurance, and there are several types of term life insurance.

Typically, term life insurance provides consumers with insurance coverage for a designated amount of time. For example, you may purchase life insurance for a 10-year or 20-year term. Each term life policy comes with a unique coverage amount. The higher the coverage amount, the more you will pay in monthly rates.

If you outlive your term life insurance, you may lose funds that you put towards your policy. However, a “return of premium” rider will refund a percentage of the rates you paid. If you wish to have more than a standard term life insurance policy, you may add a rider like this. These add-ons give you extra benefits with a life insurance policy.

Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance costs more than other forms of life insurance. However, younger kidney transplant patients may benefit from investing in a permanent life insurance policy since these policies can also function as retirement savings.

Permanent life insurance policies, like whole and universal life, allow patients to accumulate money over time. Although such a plan may cost more upfront, you will have access to funds later.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Guaranteed issue life insurance is also called no medical exam term life insurance with certain companies. Forgoing a medical exam is one of the fastest ways to get life insurance, but it is typically one of the most expensive options.

Guaranteed issue life insurance can also be a whole life plan, and other policy options include burial insurance. Every guaranteed issue option is available without a medical exam, but certain companies may still require patients to answer a series of health-related questions.

Guaranteed issue life insurance plans usually have lower coverage amounts than term life or permanent life insurance, but it may be the only available option for people with serious health conditions.

Step Two – Select an Insurance Company

After deciding on a life insurance policy type, research insurance companies and determine which meets your needs and budget. Some of the most popular life insurance companies include:

• AIG
• Allstate
• Banner Life
• Guardian LifeMass
• John Hancock
• Prudential
• Nationwide
• State Farm

You will want to compare life insurance quotes from each company for each of their policy types before you buy, so you know you’re getting the best rates possible.

Step Three – Get a Medical Exam 

Unless you’re buying guaranteed issue life insurance, most companies will request that patients receive a medical exam before they’re approved for coverage.

If you have recently gone to the doctor for a checkup, your life insurance company may accept your most recent results as a medical exam. However, most companies request patients receive a medical exam to determine the patient’s classification.

If you forego the medical exam, your insurer may still ask you some health-related questions about your lifestyle. In addition, your life insurance company may also put you in a high-risk class with more expensive insurance rates for kidney transplant patients.

What You Need to Know About Life Insurance for Kidney Transplant Patients

Before you buy life insurance for kidney transplant patients, research your policy options and find a life insurance company that can offer the most affordable rates for the coverage you need.

Remember that you may need to take a medical exam before you’re eligible for coverage, and your medical and transplant history can raise your life insurance rates. Kidney transplant patients can avoid the medical exam with guaranteed issue life insurance, but life insurance rates will automatically be higher than a term or whole life policy.

To find the most affordable coverage in your neighborhood, start comparing life insurance companies near you. Get quotes from at least three different companies to determine the average life insurance rates for kidney transplant patients, so you know you’re not overpaying for coverage.

Case Studies: Life Insurance for Patients With Kidney Transplant History

Case Study 1: John’s Term Life Insurance

John, a kidney transplant patient, was in search of life insurance coverage that would provide financial security for his family. After researching different types of life insurance policies, he decided to opt for a term life insurance plan.

John understood that term life insurance would provide coverage for a specific period, which suited his needs. He compared quotes from various insurance companies and chose a policy with affordable monthly rates.

Although John had to undergo a medical exam due to his chosen policy, his overall health and successful kidney transplant helped him secure a favorable premium. With his term life insurance in place, John gained peace of mind knowing that his loved ones would be financially protected.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Permanent Life Insurance

Sarah, a young kidney transplant patient, was looking for a life insurance option that would not only provide coverage but also serve as a long-term investment. After considering her options, she decided to invest in a permanent life insurance policy.

With a permanent life insurance plan, Sarah knew she could accumulate cash value over time, which would provide her with financial flexibility.

Although the upfront costs were higher compared to other policies, Sarah saw it as an opportunity to build her retirement savings while ensuring her family’s financial security. The policy also allowed her to access funds later if needed.

By choosing permanent life insurance, Sarah tailored her coverage to her unique needs as a kidney transplant patient and secured a policy that would benefit her in the long run.

Case Study 3: Mark’s Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Mark, who had experienced various health complications after his kidney transplant, found it challenging to obtain traditional life insurance coverage. However, he discovered a viable option: guaranteed issue life insurance.

Mark decided to go for a guaranteed issue life insurance plan, which didn’t require a medical exam. Although the coverage amount was lower compared to other policies, it was the only available option for individuals with serious health conditions.

Mark understood that the premiums for this type of policy were typically higher, but he valued the peace of mind that came with having life insurance coverage.

By opting for guaranteed issue life insurance, Mark secured a policy tailored to his unique health circumstances and provided financial protection for his loved ones.