Life Insurance After a Heart Attack | Get Quotes

Heart attacks and heart disease affect over 5 million people every year and are one of the most common reasons that people get denied or highly rated for life insurance.  Even after a heart attack, it is still possible to buy life insurance with an immediate death benefit.  When it comes to heart disease, bypass surgery, or other coronary conditions, the offers made by different insurance companies can vary widely.  Some may prefer not to offer any coverage at all, while others may be able to offer standard rates.  The offers are based on the following information, plus the results of the medical exam and statements from your doctor:

• Age of first heart problems / heart attack
• Current age
• Height/weight
• Smoker status
• Family history of heart disease before age 60
• Type of treatment received (e.g. bypass surgery, angioplasty / stents, prescription only, etc)
• Number of vessels blocked, bypassed, or number of stents placed
• Other “co-morbid” conditions such as diabetes or sleep apnea
• Health changes such as weight loss, reduced blood pressure/cholesterol, quitting smoking, etc, which can improve the potential offers

Generally, the more recent the attack, the less favorable the offers will be (a heart attack five years ago is a better risk than a heart attack last week, for example).  Insurance companies want to see what type of follow-up treatment you have had, whether you visit a doctor regularly, exercise, follow prescribed treatment, and that the condition is stable.

The most likely offer for someone with a history of heart disease will be a “table rating” based on standard rates.  Table ratings are usually referred to by letter (A-P) or number (1-16).  Each table represents an approximate 25% increase in costs over the standard rate.  Some companies offer better terms on their table ratings though, such as a 15% or 17% adjustment per table instead of 25%.  As an example, a Table 4 (or Table D) rate would cost about twice the standard rates.

Individuals that proactively improve their health after a heart attack will receive much better consideration from underwriters.

Since medical underwriting and rates in general can vary so much between companies, it is important to comparison shop between companies.  However, this can be difficult to do on your own because while Company A’s standard rate might be $100 per month and Company B’s standard rate might be $125 per month, the final rates offered by Company A after underwriting might be $300 per month and Company B’s are $200 per month.

For high risk individuals, it is best to shop your medical background with the help of an independent agent licensed with at least 10-15 of the most competitive major life insurance companies.  You should NOT submit multiple applications at the same time to different companies as you may hurt your chances of receiving an approval.  TermInsuranceBrokers.com offers coverage from 40+ life insurance companies to help you shop your high risk life insurance.

To get an instant quote as a starting point, click the banner above or below and use the “regular” risk class.  These are the standard rates that the premiums and any table rating adjustments would be based off.  You can also give us a call at 1-888-972-0024 from 9 AM to 9 PM eastern time or CLICK HERE to e-mail us 24 hours a day.

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Understanding Your Rating: Life Insurance Risk Classifications | Table Ratings Explained (B–J) | Flat Extra Ratings

Authoritative Resources: Life insurance underwriting practices are regulated by the NAIC. Insurers may check your health history through the MIB Group — you can request your free annual MIB report at mib.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long after a heart attack can I get life insurance?

Most carriers require a waiting period of 6 to 12 months post-heart-attack before they’ll consider a traditional underwritten policy, and some prefer 24 months of stable cardiac status. During the waiting period, guaranteed issue or accidental death policies remain available. The length of the wait depends on the severity of the event, how it was treated (stent, bypass, medication only), and how well stabilized you are on post-event therapy. Prudential, Protective Life, and AIG/Corebridge are typically among the more receptive carriers for post-MI underwriting.

What rate class can I qualify for after a heart attack?

After a single uncomplicated heart attack with successful treatment and good ongoing control, most applicants qualify at Standard or Table 2 through Table 4 rate classes, adding 25 to 100 percent to Standard premiums. Preferred and Preferred Plus rates are generally not available post-MI at any carrier. Applicants with multiple cardiac events, reduced ejection fraction below 40 percent, or ongoing symptoms typically face Table 4 through Table 8 ratings or declines. Age at time of the event matters significantly — a heart attack at 45 is viewed more conservatively than one at 65.

What information do carriers need about my heart attack history?

Carriers will request cardiologist and primary care records covering the event and follow-up. Key data points include: ejection fraction from echocardiogram, results of any stress tests or cardiac catheterization, current medications (statins, beta blockers, antiplatelet therapy), blood pressure and cholesterol control, and whether you completed cardiac rehabilitation. Stable ejection fraction above 50 percent with good medication compliance and clean follow-up testing produces the most favorable offers.

Does the type of heart attack affect life insurance underwriting?

Yes. STEMI (ST-elevation MI) versus NSTEMI, number of vessels involved, whether treatment was stenting or bypass surgery, and the resulting cardiac function all affect underwriting. A single-vessel event treated with one stent and preserved heart function underwrites far better than a multi-vessel event requiring bypass with reduced ejection fraction. Silent heart attacks discovered on imaging are typically underwritten similarly to symptomatic events based on the extent of damage shown.

Can I improve my rate class after a heart attack over time?

Yes, significantly. Most carriers will reconsider rate class after 2 to 5 years of stable cardiac status with clean follow-up testing and no new events. Factors that help: sustained normal blood pressure, LDL cholesterol under 70 on therapy, stable or improving ejection fraction, completion of cardiac rehab, quitting smoking if applicable, and weight in a healthy range. Many applicants move from Table 4 at initial issue to Table 2 or even Standard on re-underwriting after 3 to 5 clean years.