How To Get Life Insurance While Pregnant [2024]

Finding out that you’re pregnant can be a mixed bag of emotions. No matter what you feel, you’ll probably notice that your priorities shift once you know a baby is about to enter your life.

Expecting parents usually start thinking about their family’s future and how to provide the best life for their new little one. Most parents think about looking for a better job or starting an education fund, but you shouldn’t forget about life insurance.

A good life insurance policy financially protects any partners you have and provides for your baby’s future if anything happens to you. One of the best options for new parents is to get term life insurance quotes for a term life insurance plan, which provides coverage for a specific number of years.

If pregnancy has you thinking about your child’s future, there’s no need to wait to apply — most companies accept term life applications while you’re pregnant. Read on to learn about your options for life insurance while pregnant, then compare quotes to find the best rates.

Can you get term life insurance when you’re pregnant?

The good news about life insurance and pregnancy is that most companies won’t deny you coverage. At the worst, the company will postpone approving your application until after the birth.

Usually, insurance companies will treat your application the same as they would for a non-pregnant person if you meet the following criteria:

• You are in your first trimester
• You have no history of complications or issues from a previous birth
• There are no current signs of pregnancy-related complications

However, you run the risk of higher rates when you apply while you’re pregnant, especially if your pregnancy is considered high risk.

When you apply for life insurance, there are two primary types of coverage: term and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance is typically recommended for new parents because the rates are more affordable.

Term life insurance lasts for a specified period, usually between ten and 30 years. Most term plans can be renewed at the end of the policy, making them a perfect option for coverage that lasts only as long as needed.

Do you need to tell your insurance company that you are pregnant?

When you’ve decided to get insurance while pregnant, it’s best to be upfront about it. A new life insurance policy requires a medical exam, during which you should inform the examiner about your pregnancy.

You might think you’ll save money by keeping your pregnancy to yourself, but if you lie on your term life insurance application, your application can be rejected. Additionally, the company could deny any claim your beneficiary needs to make due to insurance fraud.

While honesty is the best policy, you don’t need to inform your company if you already have a policy.

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How much does term life insurance cost when pregnant?

Life insurance companies consider several factors when determining how much to charge you. Although companies use unique formulas, they generally include the following factors:

• Age. Usually, younger people pay less for insurance because they have a longer life expectancy.
• Gender. Women statistically have longer life expectancies than men, so their rates are generally lower.
• Smoking status. Smokers have a higher risk of developing life-threatening health conditions. Smokers will pay much higher rates than non-smokers.
• Health. Preexisting conditions, cholesterol, and blood pressure affect your life insurance rates. People in good health pay less for insurance.
• Family medical history. Your health isn’t the only thing insurance looks at — it also considers your family history. If there’s a history of cancer, diabetes, or heart disease, you’ll probably pay more.
• Occupation. People that work in hazardous jobs typically pay more for insurance. Similarly, you will be considered a high-risk individual and your rates will be higher if you engage in high-risk hobbies like skydiving or surfing.

In general, term life insurance is more affordable than permanent life insurance. While your rates will vary based on your circumstances, you can get an idea of how much you’ll pay by checking below.

 

As you can see, term life is very affordable for younger people. The longer you wait to get insurance, the more you’ll pay.

What causes your life insurance rates to go up when you’re pregnant?

Although childbirth is safer than it’s ever been in human history, there’s always an inherent risk when you have a baby. Death during childbirth is rare, but the U.S. has the highest mortality rate in the developed world.

Although it’s risky, being pregnant doesn’t necessarily interfere with your life insurance application. However, certain conditions might increase your rates:

• Complications with a previous pregnancy
• Preeclampsia
• Cholesterol levels outside safety perimeters
• Pregnancy with triplets or more
• History of postpartum depression
• Gestational diabetes in your current or previous pregnancy
• Age 45 plus (although some companies consider 35 as a high-risk age for pregnancy)

Outside of the complications listed above, weight gain is one of the most significant factors that can increase your life insurance rates.

How does weight gain affect your life insurance?

Life insurance companies always look at weight when they determine rates. Being overweight or underweight comes with health risks that can impact your life expectancy.

Weight gain is a normal, healthy part of pregnancy, but the quick increase in pounds can look bad on paper. Most insurance companies ask for your prepregnancy weight to prevent increased rates due to temporary weight gain. Others take a more pregnancy-oriented approach by checking that your weight gain matches what doctors consider healthy.

If you wait until after giving birth to apply, most companies will use your prepregnancy weight for the first six months. Insurance companies understand that women don’t bounce back to their pre-pregnancy weight right away and that your postpartum body is not an accurate look at your health.

Should your baby be the beneficiary of your life insurance?

You’re free to name whomever you’d like as your beneficiary, but most experts agree that you shouldn’t pick a minor.

If something happens to you, your life insurance won’t make a direct payment to a child. The court system will get involved when a minor is listed as a life insurance policy beneficiary. When that happens, the court will put the payment into a trust. 

The court will place the trust in the care of a guardian until your child turns 18. When the court maintains a trust for your child, your death benefit loses value due to maintenance fees.

Instead of your child, consider naming a guardian as your beneficiary. A good choice for a guardian is whoever would take responsibility for your child if something happens to you. For many, a co-parenting partner is the best choice as a beneficiary.

However, a co-parenting partner isn’t your only choice. You can pick your parents, other family members, or a friend you trust to take care of your child.

You can also create your own trust to send your death benefit to before your child comes of age. A private trust works similarly to a court-appointed one but doesn’t lose as much value.

Should you get term life insurance for your baby?

When it comes to life insurance, you probably don’t need to buy a policy for your baby. The most important life insurance policy is one for you and any partner that will help take care of your child.

Of course, you can buy a term policy for your child if you want to. In fact, some people purchase life insurance as a way to save for their child’s future.

For example, Gerber offers the Gerber Life Grow-Up plan, which helps parents and guardians save for the future. The Gerber plan is a whole life policy, but it’s only one example of insurance designed for children.

However, there are usually better ways to save for your child’s future than taking out an insurance policy. Most parents skip term life insurance for young children because they are statistically unlikely to need it.

How to Find Life Insurance While You’re Pregnant

Welcoming a baby should be a happy and joyous time. A solid term life insurance policy can continue your hard work protecting your child after you’re gone.

Term life insurance might be your best option when pregnant, but you should always consider all your options. When you’re ready to find a term life policy, look at as many quotes as possible to find the best rate.

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Case Studies: Life Insurance While Pregnant

Case Study 1: Sarah’s Smooth Application Process

Sarah, a 32-year-old expectant mother, wanted to secure life insurance coverage for her family’s financial protection. She decided to apply for term life insurance while pregnant. Sarah’s pregnancy was considered low risk, and she met all the criteria set by the insurance company.

She disclosed her pregnancy during the application process and underwent a medical exam. The insurance company approved her application without any complications, and she obtained affordable coverage to safeguard her family’s future.

Case Study 2: Emily’s High-Risk Pregnancy

Emily, a 38-year-old woman with a high-risk pregnancy, wanted to ensure her family’s financial security. She applied for term life insurance while pregnant, knowing that her situation might result in higher rates.

Despite her medical condition, Emily decided to be honest and transparent throughout the application process. The insurance company postponed approving her application until after the birth, as a precautionary measure.

After the birth, Emily’s condition stabilized, and the insurance company reassessed her application. Although she received coverage, her rates were slightly higher due to her high-risk pregnancy.

Case Study 3: Lisa’s Weight Gain Impact

Lisa, a 28-year-old expectant mother, was concerned about the impact of weight gain on her life insurance rates. She decided to apply for term life insurance during her pregnancy and disclosed her current weight to the insurance company.

The company considered her pre-pregnancy weight and took into account the temporary weight gain associated with pregnancy. After giving birth, Lisa’s weight gradually returned to her pre-pregnancy level.

Her insurance rates remained unchanged, reflecting her healthy lifestyle and managing her family’s financial protection.

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