It is a startling fact that almost 150 million adults in the United States live with either hypertension or pre-hypertension.
So, if you are hypertensive and are currently looking into purchasing life insurance, you are certainly not alone.
Our goal is to provide helpful tips to assist hypertensive applicants in securing coverage at the most affordable rates.
QUICK LINK NAVIGATION
- The definition of high blood pressure
- Maximum acceptable blood pressure readings
- Life insurance blood pressure chart
- Life insurance buying tips for people with hypertension
- Getting a preferred plus with treated hypertension
- Taking your insurance blood pressure test
- No-exam life insurance
- Benefits of taking an exam (case study)
- Rates on life insurance with high blood pressure
- Using an independent life insurance agent
- Term and universal life coverage
What Is Considered High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is also commonly known as hypertension. The condition itself often has no symptoms, and many people do not realize they have hypertension.
Hypertension can damage the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and even other parts of your body.
Blood pressure is measured with both systolic and diastolic pressures:
- Systolic (top number) refers to blood pressure when the heart beats while pumping blood.
- Diastolic (bottom number) refers to blood pressure when the heart is at rest between beats.
Most people realize that a good blood pressure reading is 120/80. Just in case you are curious, you can also take a look at the Mayo Clinic’s blood pressure chart.
Life Insurance Blood pressure Chart
| The top number (systolic) | The bottom number (diastolic) | Your category |
| Below 120 | and Below 80 | Normal |
| Between 120-139 | or Between 80-89 | Prehypertension |
| Between 140-159 | or Between 90-99 | Stage 1 hypertension |
| 160 or higher | or 100 or higher | Stage 2 hypertension |
Buying Life Insurance with Hypertension
Obtaining great rates for life insurance with hypertension is normally not a problem assuming it is well controlled with medications.
In fact, some life insurance companies feel people using medications do not really have high blood pressure and classify the condition as having controlled blood pressure with medication.
When looking into life insurance, the risk classification the insurance company will actually give you is the key to finding the least expensive insurance rates.
The Life Insurance Rate Classifications
- Preferred Plus
- Preferred
- Standard Plus
- Standard
Our primary goal is to find a company that allows the best risk class for our clients, often referred to as a “preferred plus” rate class.
This classification is only available if you are in excellent overall health, meaning you are not a smoker or overweight and have a good family history.
Several carriers offer you term life insurance with high blood pressure treatment with the best available rate classification.
Most insurance carriers have published rules for obtaining the preferred plus risk category, which state “no history of treatment for hypertension.”
If you apply to most life insurance companies and take high blood pressure medication, you end up automatically getting classified into the preferred category.
The key is to find a life insurance carrier who states in their published underwriting guidelines that “treated hypertension” is allowed for the preferred plus category.
Affordable Life USA will always shop around to find you the proper insurance policy from one of America’s top life insurance companies.
⊕
Buying Tip:
Control is key when applying for coverage
It is important to know your numbers!
Try to make sure your blood pressure is under control before applying for life insurance.
So, how can I lower my blood pressure for my insurance test?
- Drink a few extra glasses of water for a few days before your exam.
- Try to avoid eating or drinking anything except water for 12 hours before you are examined.
- Try to avoid drinking alcohol, coffee, and smoking cigarettes before taking your brief exam.
- Plus, try to take the exam in the morning when you are calm and relaxed.
You may also want to do a few readings on your own before undergoing any insurance examinations.
This will be a good “test run” to see if you fit within the life insurance blood pressure chart published by every company.
⊕
What if I get a higher rate because my blood pressure readings were elevated on my life insurance blood test?
If you get a preferred or standard rate class, you can either activate the policy with the higher rate class or shop around for lower premiums with another company.
While paying for your higher-priced insurance policy, you could always set some goals to lower your blood pressure.
You may need to get on medication, change your diet, and maybe even lose weight to help lower your numbers.
The great thing about lowering your blood pressure in the future is that your premiums will be reduced on a new lower costing life policy.
Our overweight life insurance clients face a similar solvable challenge when buying a policy. Heavier people can also save money by simply losing weight to fit within the insurance company guidelines.
These price-saving factors are all within your control and take a bit of willpower to execute!
Buying LIFE INSURANCE with no exam
In 2021, several life insurance companies offer the preferred plus rate class without even taking a medical exam.
Highly rated companies like Lincoln National and Pacific Life provide up to $1,000,000 coverage with treated hypertension.
Another great company for people looking into life insurance with high blood pressure is Banner Life which offers up to a $500,000 death benefit without doing a physical.
These companies gather your underwriting information through traditional underwriting sources, including; a telephone interview, a motor vehicle report, and your prescription drug records.
⊕
Buying Tip:
Are you really busy, or are you afraid of needles because of life insurance white coat syndrome?
No problem!
We can help you find great rates with the best no-exam life insurance companies.
These companies offer preferred plus-term rates for treated hypertension at the same cost as their fully underwritten term policies.
The only catch is that you must be in good health to qualify for coverage.
⊕
Purchasing Life insurance taking an exam
When should you take a medical exam when applying for life insurance with high blood pressure?
Many people seeking life insurance with high blood pressure should take the exam because they will have many more options.
Many companies offer the cheaper preferred plus rate class only to applicants willing to do a medical exam.
Currently, many carriers also do not allow their best smoker’s life insurance rates unless you do a brief exam.
Not to mention, if you require a big policy above the million-dollar threshold, you would be out of luck without a physical.
So, if you need life insurance and want more options or if you have a medical condition, we always suggest following our step-by-step program.
Here is how the life insurance exam process works:
- First, your medical history is evaluated to determine which company may be best suited for your hypertensive condition.
- Then, we start the application process by having you complete a life insurance blood pressure test, urine and blood sample, and height and weight measurement.
- Then, we order the required medical summary, including your blood pressure follow-up from your regular doctor.
- Finally, your medical profile is presented to multiple life insurance companies to determine which can offer you the best rates.
Instead of being assessed at a preferred rate just because you are being treated for hypertension, the exam process evaluates your condition’s control and compliance with your physician’s plan for treatment.
This allows you to get into the preferred plus category, which usually equals over a 25% savings for our happy clients!
⊕
Case Study
Here is a practical example illustrating the difference in price between two companies.
Edward applies for a $500,000, 2o year term life insurance with high blood pressure when he is 62 years old.
| Company A | Company B | |
| Rate Class | Preferred Plus | Preferred |
| Premium | $2,095 | $2,523 |
Company A allows medication for high blood pressure and issues Ed a policy with preferred plus rates, while company B only permits a preferred rating.
Fantastic!
That is close to $500 in savings per year for an elated Eddie with nearly $10,000 in savings over a 20-year time frame.
Working with an Independent Agent
Working with an Independent AgentThe most effective way to obtain the best insurance offer is to work with an independent agent!
Your independent broker eliminates the hassle of shopping around to find you the lowest premiums based on your complete medical history.
Affordable Life USA offers very competitive rates on both term insurance and universal life insurance coverage.
- Term Life Insurance – Term life offers guaranteed death benefits and level premiums for an initial 10, 15, 20, or even 30 years.
- Universal Life Insurance – This form of permanent life insurance with the premium and death benefit guaranteed for your entire lifetime.
Best Life Insurance Companies
The easiest way to determine the life insurance company with the cheapest rates for you is to contact our agency.
In 2023, these highly-rated carriers are good options to consider; AIG, Banner Life, Lincoln Financial, Transamerica, Pacific Life, and Protective Life.
It’s reassuring to know that these companies have excellent overall ratings from AM Best Insurance Ratings.
Highly rated Insurance companies for Hypertension
| Company | AM Best Rating |
| American General | A |
| Banner Life | A+ |
| Lincoln Financial | A+ |
| Pacific Life | A+ |
| Protective Life | A+ |
| Transamerica | A+ |
Hopefully, you now realize that you should not be penalized with higher rates just because you have hypertension!
The most effective way to obtain the best offer is to work with an agent who understands the insurance guidelines for many companies!
If you are honest about your family’s longevity, it can really make a huge difference in what you pay for coverage.
FAQ
How long is the Application Process?
The underwriting time varies depending on whether your agent recommends the no exam or exam underwriting process.
In some cases, it may only take a week to approve your policy!
However, if a medical exam and medical records are needed from your doctor the normal time is 2-3 weeks from the time you take your examination.
Can I buy directly from the company?
You will not save any money by buying directly from the life insurance carrier.
The premiums you obtain will be the same directly through the insurance company or with an independent agent.
Are my life insurance quotes accurate?
Our advanced life insurance comparison tool swiftly sifts through numerous insurers to find you the best quotes.
With our calculator, get immediate estimates on life insurance rates without needing to share any personal, financial, or health details.
To fine-tune your quote accuracy, we might later request additional health information.
Typically, the cost of your final policy will be within 10% of the initial online estimate we provide.
Life Insurance Underwriting Topics
-
Affordable Life USA is a leading independent insurance agency offering comprehensive life insurance solutions to clients nationwide.
Eric Van Haaften, LUTCF
1-877-249-1358
