Having depression or anxiety doesn’t have to hold you back from getting life insurance. The first thing to remember? You’re not alone.
Nearly half of all adults (46.4%) in the United States will have a mental illness at some point during their life, and the percentage of young adults experiencing mental illness has significantly increased over the past 10 years.
If you’ve never shopped for life insurance, it can seem confusing, especially if you have a complicated health history. These tips can help make the process a little easier.
Can you get life insurance if you have depression or anxiety?
Life insurance is there to provide a financial cushion for your family or loved ones if you die. There’s a life insurance policy out there for nearly everyone, even if you are dealing with mental health challenges.
When you apply, your health is one of the main things that insurers consider, since they want to know how likely you are to die. If you have a mental health diagnosis, you might be wondering if life insurance covers people with depression and other mental illnesses. The impact of depression or anxiety on your life insurance will depend on how severe it is and how it might affect your life expectancy.
For example, if you have a history of mild anxiety and depression that is well-controlled, it might not have much of an impact. Previous hospitalizations or attempted suicide will have more of an effect on rates and eligibility.
When you apply, your insurance company will ask you health questions, including questions about your mental health like:
How severe is your condition?
When were you diagnosed?
Are you being treated by a doctor or therapist?
Which medications or other treatments are you taking?
Depending on the type of policy, such as term life insurance, you might also need to take a medical exam and provide details on current and past prescriptions.
If you’re wondering, “ Does life insurance cover people’s depression and anxiety?,” make sure to check with your insurance company about the specifics of your policy.
Tips for getting covered with depression or anxiety
Wondering how to get life insurance coverage with a mental health condition? There are a number of options for life insurance for people with mental illness:
Be honest. It might feel awkward to discuss personal details about your anxiety and depression, but if your insurer finds out later that you lied, it can decline to cover you or deny your family a life insurance payout later. Be honest about your condition, and your life insurance company will be better equipped to help you find the right fit.
Shop around. Some life insurance carriers might be more lenient than others if you have a history of health issues. JCT Insurance Agency works with a variety of life insurance carriers to help you find the right fit.
Don’t give up. If you don’t qualify for term life insurance or permanent life insurance, there are life insurance options available where you are not required to take a medical exam. Learn more about no medical exam life insurance here.
For more information about Life Insurance call JCT Insurance Agency at (626)354-2000 or email jctfinancialsvc@gmail.com