Affordable Life Insurance with Celiac Disease? (Here’s How)

Many life insurance carriers may automatically access you for a “Standard” rating when you have Celiac disease. This often occurs even if you respond well to treatment and are in generally good health.

But, you may in reality qualify for a better rating with another life insurer.

There are over 850 life insurers in America. Each company has its own approach and guidelines when it comes to being approved.

I would urge you to always use an independent life insurance agent if you hope to find low cost life insurance with Celiac Disease.

An independent life insurance agency such as Abrams Insurance Solutions has access to over 70 of the top rated and most lenient life insurers.

We will take the time to present your particular situation to those companies which have a lenient approach when it comes to underwriting Celiac disease. We will be able to obtain the lowest quotes even before we begin the application process.

Call Abrams Insurance Solutions first at 858-703-6178 because we work for you and not the life insurance company.

Celiac Disease and Life Insurance

How prevalent is Celiac Disease in America?

Celiac Disease, which is also known to some as Sprue or Coeliac disease, affects as many as 3,000,000 Americans.

Celiac disease is, for the most part, a non life threatening disease. Although there is no cure, it can be treated relatively easily with good results.

However, this disease is also sometimes associated with other more serious health conditions which can impact life insurance rates.

We will discuss the situations separately.

The cause for the disease is largely believed to be genetic in origin.

The first thing you should know is that many insurers will likely postpone your application if your diagnosis has occurred in under a year.

A postpone is not the same as a “decline’, so do not be alarmed if that case applies to you.

The reason for a “postpone” is to give your condition the maximum amount of time to respond to treatment. The insurer would like to see you examined when you have been receiving treatment and the results.

Insurers want to see how well you respond to the treatment regimen.

Also, if you have been diagnosed with Celiac for more than several years, you will most likely get a much better rating the longer you have gone without any relapse.

This will greatly assist in your ability to find low cost life insurance with Celiac disease.

What is Celiac Disease?

Celiac Disease is mainly an autoimmune condition. It entails your immune system’s reaction to eating gluten.

Gluten is a protein mainly found in wheat, rye and barely. The response to gluten is how it reacts negatively in your small intestine. The reaction can cause damage to the lining of the small intestine.

If untreated, this condition can lead to:

• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Bloating and Anemia
• Abdominal Pain and Constipation

More serious medical complications can follow.

Most people find the medical condition alleviated simply by following a gluten free diet. This allows people with Celiac disease to manage symptoms and assist in intestinal healing.

Another medical condition that can occur is known as Dermatitis Herpetiformis. This is a skin condition consisting of skin blisters or rash. This condition also stems from gluten intolerance.

Celiac disease often runs in families. This suggests the cause may be genetic. Environmental conditions may also play a role. The precise cause of the disease is unknown.

The disease often becomes active after pregnancy, surgery, viral infections and emotional stress.

The disease is also more common with:

• Family members who have the disease
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Autoimmune Thyroid Disease
• Addison’s Disease
• Microscopic Colitis
• Down Syndrome or Turner Disease

Some serious medical conditions may occur in some people who have a diagnosis of Celiac Disease. These more serious complications can include:

• Malnutrition
• Loss of Bone Density and Calcium
• Lactose Intolerance
• Intestinal Lymphoma and Small Bowel Cancer

The condition may also lead to various neurological issues. This can include seizures and peripheral neuropathy which affects nerves leading to the feet and hands.

Follow up with your doctor is important. The reason is because as many as 30% of people with Celiac may not be able to maintain or respond well to a gluten free diet.

Life Insurance Underwriting Guidelines for Celiac Disease

To apply successfully for a policy you will need to have been given a diagnosis of the condition for at least 1 year before you will be considered for a policy.

Typically, Celiac disease by itself is not life threatening. If you are in relatively good health, do not smoke, have no other health issues, then you can expect a very favorable rating.

Again, we emphasize that you do apply on your own even if the above applies to you. Most stable conditions may be given a “Standard” rating by many companies.

It is possible to get a better rating such as a “Preferred” rating. But, you will only accomplish this using an independent life insurance agent.

The difference in each change in rating works out to about a 25% increase in the cost of what you pay.

This is one main reason why Abrams Insurance Solutions stands above the rest because we will fight to get you that better rating.

When you apply for life insurance, the main focus the underwriter will take will be to take into account the following:

• Date you were diagnosed
• Symptoms you were experiencing
• Have any current physical symptoms
• Medications prescribed or hospitalization
• Following a gluten free diet
• Using any dietary supplements
• Any other medical conditions especially diabetes 1, rheumatoid arthritis, Addison’s or Turner’s disease

If the condition has been well under control with no remission or complications then you will most definitely be able to find low cost life insurance with Celiac disease.

If the condition is not being well managed or you have additional medical complications you may still qualify for an affordable policy with a “Table” rating. It all depends how well you are responding to the treatment. It also depends on how well you are following your treatment regimen.

For all types of standard life insurance policies such as Term and Permanent policies you will be required to undergo a medical exam.

Term Life Insurance with Celiac Disease

Term life insurance with a medical exam is clearly the most inexpensive form of life insurance available. These policies are suitable for most people’s needs.

Term is the best approach when it comes for anyone seeking to find low cost life insurance with Celiac Disease.

All you have to do is select the amount of coverage you desire and the length of the term you need.

This form of life insurance provides death benefits only. It is available in periods of time. Terms can include 10, 20, 25 and 30 years.

However, keep in mind that you may have to renew the policy when it expires. This can be very expensive because the cost will be based on your age and the current state of your health.

The good news though is most term policies now provide a “conversion” feature. Using the conversion feature allows you to switch your policy to a “Permanent” life insurance. You can do so before the term policy lapses.

There are 2 major benefits for doing so. You will not have to undergo a medical exam. Even if you’re health has deteriorated significantly, you will not have to worry about maintaining coverage.

The second advantage is that the cost of the policy will be based solely on your age.

Your major consideration should be to choose the length of your term carefully.

Permanent Life Insurance with Celiac Disease

Permanent life insurance policies consist of Whole Life and Universal Life. These policies last your entire lifespan.

Permanent policies have 2 features. They offer death benefits and a cash accumulation portion.

For these reasons, permanent policies are more expensive than term life insurance.

The cash value accumulation grows over the life of the policy. You can also borrow against the cash value accumulation portion. The funds you use can be used anyway you choose. You do not have to explain your need for the funds to the insurer.

Those with large incomes, alternative investment needs, or those who have large estates may find a permanent policy more suitable.

No-Medical Life Insurance with Celiac Disease

If you are squeamish about needles, want a policy fast or simply want a policy without the hassle of a medical exam you can opt for a “Simplified Issue” policy. Most people know this policy as a “No-Medical Exam” policy.

A No-Medical Exam policy does not require a medical exam. You generally only have to answer about a half dozen medical questions.

They are a bit more expensive than policies which do require a medical exam. But, not by too much as they have become so popular that premium rates have dramatically decreased.

Most no-medical policies do not exceed $500,000. But we know of 1 company which offers a policy as large as 1 million in coverage. Alternatively, if you need more coverage you can still consider multiple policies to obtain the coverage you need.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance with Celiac Disease

The final type of life insurance available is known as “Guaranteed Issue” life insurance. Only those with life threatening medical conditions or the very elderly should consider this option.

Coverage is guaranteed.

The maximum face amounts of coverage for these policies are much lower. Generally, they do not exceed $25,000.

They are somewhat more expensive than other policies offering the same amounts of coverage.

For other autoimmune diseases, like dermatitis, see our life insurance with pre-existing conditions page.

How to Find Low Cost Life Insurance with Celiac Disease

If you are trying to find low cost life insurance with Celiac disease or any medical condition, contact Abrams Insurance Solutions now.

We are an independent life insurance agency. Our team of highly knowledgeable agents can access dozens of the most lenient life insurers in the industry.

We also specialize in finding low cost life insurers for those with any type of medical condition.

Our agents will send out multiple requests for quotes even before we begin the application process. Sometimes, even we are surprised by the amazing quotes we receive.

Our role is to represent you and assist you through every step of the application until you are satisfied.

When you choose Abrams Insurance Solutions, you become a client for life. We are happy to answer any questions you have about Celiac Disease or life insurance in general.

Call Abrams Insurance Solutions today at 858-703-6178. We can help you find low cost life insurance with Celiac Disease.