Life Insurance for Seniors While in the Hospital

A life insurance policy is recommended when you’re young and healthy, but sometimes we put off the decision. It’s not uncommon for people to request life insurance for their senior parents while they’re in the hospital due to unforeseen circumstances.

Is it possible for seniors in the hospital to get a life insurance plan?

Yes, it is possible with some terms and conditions, even if their health is not in a normal state and they are aging. So, you can still purchase a life insurance policy in that state of life.

Health Report Is Crucial

As you read the article, you will be able to attain sufficient knowledge about all of the factors that insurance companies will consider when you express interest in buying an insurance policy. Health is undoubtedly their most important consideration in general conditions. Nevertheless, being in a hospital can raise several other clauses as well!

There is no denial of the fact that poor health is going to ask for justification and you may have to present the diagnosis and reports of your treatment to the company. But that does not restrict you from buying an insurance policy at all.

Age Matters

Of course, the age of a person is an important factor when deciding on the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. Aged people are more susceptible to major health issues and thus can ask for higher premiums than young individuals. However, you may get beneficial terms if your medical diagnosis is treatable or there is not much risk involved in it.

What Kind Of Policies Can One Avail For Seniors Who Are Admitted To The Hospital?

If you are young and unwell, it is recommended that you wait until you have recovered before applying for a standard life insurance policy. This will enable you to provide reports of your recovery, which will help the insurance company assess your health and life expectancy–important factors for them to consider.

However, in the case of seniors, it may be more challenging to obtain a standard policy—particularly if they are currently hospitalized. In such cases, insurance companies may offer seniors a guaranteed-issue policy. This type of policy is easier to get approved and does not require a medical exam or health assessment. The coverage amount is usually lower than that of standard life insurance policies, and the premiums are higher.

Is No Exam Life Insurance A Good Option?

A “No Medical Exam” insurance policy is a viable choice only when there are no other options available. This policy allows for coverage without the requirement of a medical examination, as indicated by its name.

The second advantage of this policy is that there is no, or very little, waiting period as there are no documents that need further processing. One simply needs to go and purchase the policy without suffering any delay.

The downside of this policy is that it is a bit costlier than standard insurance policies and the coverage amount is also lower. So, if you are looking for extensive coverage of life insurance, then this may not be the best option for you.

keep medical reports handy

Basic Policy And Rejection

In most cases the rejection of standard policy application happens when people suffer from the following ailments majorly:

  • Damage to internal organs such as the liver, kidney, etc due to smoking, drugs, or alcohol
  • Problems related to high or low cholesterol
  • A severe condition of diabetes or obesity
  • Suffering from chronic illness
  • Any other form of a life-threatening disease

If you have general medical conditions like injuries, ENT disorders, or skin problems, you can apply for standard life insurance policies for seniors.

These aforementioned conditions are stern and can be responsible for shortening the life span of the patient. Life insurance policies are designed in such a way that they focus on the risk of the life span of the policyholder.

Therefore, an applicant with a higher rate of having a critical illness may not be considered while a healthy person always has a good probability to become a customer of insurance companies.

How To Find An Optimal Policy For Seniors While Being In The Hospital?

As we have mentioned above in the article, being unwell is not a criterion for disqualification from a life insurance policy; however, age may be a factor to consider. We have a few suggestions that will help you find the most suitable policy in such a condition:

Gather Information

The Internet allows you to access information from anywhere, so while you’re in some time to research available insurance policies in your state. You can find information about different companies, and the types of policies they offer, and compare their rates.

Knowledge about market instruments will empower you and give you an idea of what to expect. You will also know how much insurance amount you can avail of in different conditions. Additionally, it will assist you in choosing the insurance plan that best suits your needs from which company.

Talk To A Financial Advisor

If you don’t have enough time or knowledge about the market, it’s best to consult an insurance professional. A financial advisor will provide you with more specific information and can compare different policies on your behalf. They will also help you determine what kind of coverage is right for you and advise which company is the most suitable option.

Get In Touch With Expert

Find a reliable agent who can help you choose the right insurance plan for your needs, start by asking people you know for recommendations. Look for an agent who has expertise in different types of plans and can assist you with the application process. You may also want to try our quotes service as a first step.

Specify Your Needs

One more step that you need to add to your homework is specifying your needs before buying the policy. After doing research, enlist the points that you want to cover in your policy; this will not only save you time and effort but also help you save money.

You will be able to state exactly what you want, and thus, you will not spend unnecessary time and money on unwanted clauses that are mentioned in generic policies.

Keep Your Reports Handy

Remember to keep a file of your medical reports, family medical history, prescriptions, and medical bills. This information may be required by the insurance company to verify your health status and improvement. Additionally, don’t skip your regular health routines and treatments as maintaining good health may increase your chances of getting the policy you want.

Review the Policy

Once you find and list down your preferred policy, it’s time to review them carefully. Read the fine print and take a look at the inclusions and exclusions mentioned in the documents. That way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about which company offers you the best value for money.

Conclusion

Although it may be a bit difficult to obtain the desired insurance plan for seniors when admitted to a hospital, it is still possible to get what you want to a considerable extent.

One needs to take note of some important points and do proper research on the available options. It will solve half the troubles and leave the rest of the task to your insurance advisor or agent. So, do not lose hope and keep looking for the right insurance plan.

Linda Chavez

I'm a burial & senior life insurance expert, independent agent, Founder & CEO of Seniors Life Insurance Finder. I have been working in this sector since 2004 and established my own company in 2014. I have a team of seven members, and we are trying hard to share the knowledge we've gathered. We know how difficult often it is to find an affordable policy. Hence, we are doing our best to help you.