Your Complete Guide to Getting Life Insurance After a Stroke

Experiencing a health emergency may result in concern about your life insurance coverage. If you're wondering about life insurance after a stroke, this guide can help you find a policy that fits your needs.

How Do You Qualify for Life Insurance After a Stroke?

Many life insurance companies require you to take a medical exam before approving you for coverage. During this appointment, the health care provider will record your vital statistics, such as weight, height, blood pressure and heart rate. The insurance provider will also review your personal medical history, your family medical history and your lifestyle. 

The data gathered from your medical records and health care provider appointment will be used to determine the risk of offering you life insurance after a stroke. The better your health status, typically, the lower the potential cost of your life insurance coverage. 

Consider taking steps to improve your health and reduce your risk of future stroke. Making healthy lifestyle choices can lower the cost of your insurance policy. Examples include:

• Exercising regularly
• Eating a low-fat, low-salt diet
• Losing weight if you are overweight
• Quitting if you use tobacco
• Seeking treatment for other underlying health conditions

You can also make it easier to apply for life insurance after a stroke by keeping track of your medical records. You'll be able to provide documentation showing that you've proactively improved your health status.

Will a Stroke Increase My Life Insurance Rates?

You may pay more for life insurance after a stroke. Some of the factors that affect your premiums in this situation include:

• Coexisting health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or metabolic syndrome
• How well you've recovered after the stroke, with outcomes supported by lab test results and medical records
• Your age at the time of the stroke and your current age
• Whether you've had more than one stroke or cardiac emergency in the past
• Lifestyle choices that increase your risk for future strokes, such as smoking or eating a high-fat, high-salt diet

Each insurance company has its own method of determining how much you'll pay for a life insurance policy. Obtaining quotes from several providers can help you save money when shopping for life insurance after a stroke.