You can still get approved for a life insurance policy if you’ve had an aneurysm, but your options and how much you’ll pay will depend on your specific medical history.
Life insurance rates can vary drastically for people who’ve had an aneurysm, since there are many variations of the condition. The best way to find the cheapest quotes is to speak with a life insurance agent.
Which types of aneurysms affect life insurance?
When you apply for life insurance, the type of aneurysm you had will be one of the main factors that will affect your rates and coverage options.
Cerebral aneurysm
A cerebral aneurysm, also called a brain aneurysm, occurs when a weakened area of a blood vessel expands in the brain. If left untreated, it could rupture and cause complications such as stroke, brain damage, or coma. [1]
Cerebral aneurysms are often detected after they rupture. Symptoms of ruptured cerebral aneurysms include severe headaches, nausea, loss of balance, pain around the eyes, and loss of consciousness. [2]
If you had a small brain aneurysm more than five years ago that didn’t require surgery, your aneurysm is stable, you have no high blood pressure, and you don’t smoke, you may be approved for traditional life insurance. You can expect to pay average rates.
If you had a cerebral aneurysm that was treated with surgery less than six months ago, you may be declined for traditional coverage.
If you had a cerebral aneurysm that was treated with surgery more than six months ago and you have fully recovered, you may be approved for traditional life insurance. However, you can expect to pay higher-than-average rates.
Aortic aneurysm
Aortic aneurysms occur when there is a bulge in the wall of the aorta, which is the major blood vessel that connects the heart to the rest of the body. [3] The two most common types of aortic aneurysm are abdominal aortic aneurysm and thoracic aortic aneurysm. [4]
Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta in the abdomen, and thoracic aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the aorta that’s within the chest. Either type can lead to a rupture of the aorta, causing life-threatening internal bleeding, or a tear in the wall of the aorta (dissection), which can increase the risk of rupture and other dangerous complications. [5]
Your application for life insurance may be approved if you had an abdominal aneurysm that was smaller than 5 cm, didn’t require surgery, and you have regular check-ups. However, you can expect to pay higher-than-average rates.
If your abdominal aneurysm was smaller than 5 cm and was treated with surgery more than six months ago, and you’re stable and have regular check-ups, you may also be approved for traditional coverage at higher-than-average rates.
If your abdominal aneurysm was smaller than 5 cm and was treated with surgery less than six months ago, you may be declined for traditional coverage.
You may also be declined for traditional coverage if your abdominal aneurysm was larger than 5 cm, if you didn’t treat it with surgery, or have no regular check-ups.
You may also be denied traditional coverage if you’re age 60 or older and have a history of abdominal aneurysm.
Thoracic aneurysms are rarer but also riskier. Most insurers treat applications from people with a history thoracic aneurysm on a case-by-case basis. Connect with a life insurance agent or independent broker to discuss your coverage and cost options.
What kind of information will you have to disclose about your aneurysm?
When you apply for life insurance, you’ll be asked to provide details about your health history, including your aneurysm diagnosis.
Date of diagnosis and onset of symptoms
Type of aneurysm
Location of the aneurysm
The cause of the aneurysm
The treatment needed
Surgical history
You may also have to answer questions about any additional health conditions that might make an aneurysm more risky — for example, high blood pressure.
What health classification will you be assigned based on your aneurysm?
When you apply for life insurance, you get assigned a health classification based on your health history and lifestyle choices — which, in turn, will determine your rates. If you have a history of aneurysm, the type and complexity of your aneurysm will largely define your health classification.
Life insurance health classification | Rates | Qualifying health factors |
Standard: For applicants considered an average risk to insure | Average | One or two moderate or chronic health conditions, or several years out from a more serious medical condition (like a single cerebral aneurysm that’s been stable for five years, with no history of surgery) |
Substandard Table 2 to 6: For applicants considered a higher-than average risk to insure (the higher the table rating number, the higher the insurance risk; table ratings go from 1 to 10) | From more to most expensive | A more serious ongoing health condition (like a small abdominal aortic aneurysm that was treated with surgery more than six months ago and is stable) |
What kind of life insurance can you get if you’ve had an aneurysm?
People who are eligible for traditional life insurance coverage usually choose between two types of coverage: term life insurance and whole life insurance. The right type of policy for you will depend on your coverage needs and budget.
If you’re not eligible for traditional coverage due to your history of aneurysm, you still have options that don’t have medical requirements for approval.
Term life insurance is the best and most affordable option for most people looking to protect their income and provide their family with a financial safety net to cover any debts — including a mortgage or any other type of personal loans. It only lasts for a set term, usually between 10 and 30 years, and doesn’t come with many rules or tax restrictions.
Whole life insurance and other types of permanent life insurance are good options for high-net-worth individuals looking to use life insurance to diversify their investment portfolio, or people with long-term financial obligations or coverage needs, like dependents who require lifelong care. Whole life never expires and comes with a cash value that earns interest in addition to the death benefit payout, but it’s significantly more expensive than traditional term policies.
Guaranteed issue life insurance is a policy that doesn’t expire and is aimed at covering end-of-life expenses, like a funeral or medical bills. It usually comes with age restrictions — you need to be between age 45 and 85 — and the death benefit is usually capped at $25,000, which is much smaller than what traditional policies offer. However, guaranteed issue policies offer near-certain approval because you don’t have to take a medical exam or answer questions about your health.
Group life insurance: Employers and other organizations often supply subsidized life insurance to employees as part of their benefits package. You may be offered less coverage than you need, and you likely won’t be able to keep your policy if you leave your job, but approval is almost always guaranteed because group life insurance plans don’t require a health evaluation.
How to buy life insurance if you have a history of aneurysm
Every life insurance company has its own guidelines for health conditions, including aneurysm. It’s important to compare quotes from multiple insurers when shopping for life insurance.
At Policygenius, we work with a dozen top insurers, and our licensed life insurance agents can help you choose the best company and policy for you.
Applying for life insurance with a history of an aneurysm will be similar to purchasing life insurance with any other pre-existing condition.
Other health concerns that can affect your life insurance
Certain pre-existing conditions and other health-related concerns can affect your life insurance options or costs. A Policygenius expert can help you find the right policy for your needs.
Mental health issues such as depression or anxiety
