2023 Burial Insurance after a Heart Attack
Are you wondering if you can get burial insurance after a heart attack? The good news is YES you can get coverage after having a heart attack. Affordable life insurance coverage is available to most heart attack survivors. With enough time passed since your last heart attack, you may be able to qualify for a plan with first-day coverage.
Now the bad news, not every carrier will approve your application. The challenge is finding the right heart attack-friendly high-risk insurance company that will provide the best rates for your condition.
Modern medical treatments have increased the life expectancy after a heart attack, so more and more insurance companies are now providing this critical insurance coverage.
The key to getting the best final expense plan after a heart attack is by finding which burial insurance carrier looks at your condition favorably. We know those companies, and we will help you get approved with them.
In this article, we will discuss what to expect if you had a heart attack and how you can qualify for the best final expense insurance coverage available.
FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:
- Why Insurance Companies Care About Heart Attacks
- What Is My Best Burial Insurance Option After a Heart Attack?
- Burial Insurance After a Heart Attack
- Why Do You Need Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance If You Had a Heart Attack?
- What Types of Insurance Policies Should I Avoid?
- Do I Need to Take A Medical Exam to Qualify for Burial Insurance?
- Heart Attack and Its Effect on Burial Insurance
- Burial Insurance Underwriting If You Have a History of Heart Attack
- How Much Insurance Do I Need If I Had a Heart Attack?
- How Should I Pay My Insurance Premiums?
- Heart Attack and Burial Insurance Riders
- What Will We Ask You If You Had a Recent Heart Attack?
- How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
- Additional Questions & Answers On Burial Insurance After A Heart Attack
Why Insurance Companies Care About Heart Attacks
Heart attacks, also called myocardial infarctions, happen when the blood supply that nourishes the heart with oxygen is cut off, and the heart muscles begin to die.
There are three types of heart attacks:
- STEMI – ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction
- NSTEMI – non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
- coronary spasm, or unstable angina
One of the most common causes of heart attack is atherosclerosis or plaque buildup in the arteries that prevent blood from getting to the heart muscles. It can also be caused by blood clots or torn blood vessels.
The insurance companies know that a heart attack or myocardial infarction is very common in the U.S. In fact, it’s estimated that one happens every 40 seconds.
A heart attack is the number one cause of death in the country. 1 out of 3 deaths can be attributed to heart disease.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 730,000 heart attacks happen yearly. Most heart attack victims can recover from the first attack and live healthy lives for many years afterward. However, around 20% of patients age 45 and older may have another heart attack within five years of their first attack.
What Is My Best Insurance Option After A Heart Attack?
Your heart attack was over 12 months
Some burial insurance companies have a one-year look-back period for a heart attack. If your heart attack is over 12 months, we have insurance carriers that will offer level death benefits or immediate coverage.
Best Option: Level Death Benefit Plan
We can help you get approved for immediate coverage if your heart attack was over a year and you have no other serious health issues.
Your last heart attack was over 24 months ago
Most insurance companies have a two-year lookback period on a heart attack. You have the best option if you had a heart attack more than two years ago.
Best Option: Level Death Benefit Plan
You qualify for level death benefit with most companies and can choose which company will offer you the best rates.
Recent heart attack (less than 12 months)
You could not avoid a waiting period if your last heart attack was within the last 12 months. If your heart attack is very recent, 12 months or less, your best policy option is to take a guaranteed issue no medical exam.
Best Option: Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance
Guaranteed issue life insurance will approve you regardless of your recent heart attack. It costs a bit more than a traditional policy, but it provides the protection you need.
Multiple heart attacks
Multiple heart attacks are considered to be a higher risk by insurance companies. Multiple heart attacks will only qualify you for a level death benefit plan if they occurred more than two years ago.
Best Option: Level Death Benefit
Guaranteed issue burial insurance is your best option if you have multiple recent heart attacks or a more severe form of heart disease. Guaranteed issue life insurance with no medical exam and no health questions is your next best choice since you can’t qualify for a level death benefit plan due to recent multiple heart attacks.
Burial Insurance After A Heart Attack
LEVEL COVERAGE
Level coverage is a simplified issue burial insurance that covers you from the first day. You would qualify for this policy if your last heart attack was more than 12 months ago.
Burial insurance with no waiting period is generally cheaper than guaranteed issue life insurance. This plan does not have a waiting period, and your beneficiaries will be receiving the full death benefit when you pass away.
GUARANTEED ISSUE LIFE INSURANCE
If your heart attack is very recent, meaning less than 12 months, guaranteed issue life insurance is your only option.
If you have other serious health conditions, then a guaranteed issue burial insurance is perfect for you. These life insurance without health questions and no exam policies are the next best choice for heart attack patients who will not get through traditional underwriting.
You will be approved with a guaranteed issue or guaranteed acceptance life insurance regardless of your medical condition. They cost a bit more than insurance policies with health questions, but they provide the protection you need.
You must live for the first two years before a guaranteed issue plan will payout for a natural cause of death. If you pass away during the waiting period, the company will return all your premiums to your beneficiaries with interest.
Why Do You Need Guaranteed Issue Burial Insurance If You Had A Heart Attack?
We recommend buying a guaranteed issue burial insurance plan despite the two-year waiting period because your health could change at anytime. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, and you could have another heart attack that may cost you your life.
You could develop other health problems, and your doctor may prescribe new medications that are a red flag at insurance companies. Any future health condition may prevent you from qualifying for a level death benefit.
Postponing your application until you reach the 12 month period is not wise.
If you wait to get better options for burial insurance coverage, any changes in your health will disqualify you for the level death benefit, and the guaranteed issue will be your only option for coverage.
This means you still have to wait two years before being covered for a natural cause of death. If you get a policy now, you start on the waiting period immediately, and whatever happens to your health, you are covered.
If a guaranteed issue policy is your only option for coverage, apply now and start working on your waiting period.
In the meantime, work on your health and lifestyle. If your health improves since your last attack and a minimum of 12 months have passed, we will help you get level death benefits from the carrier that will offer you the best pricing.
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance is the best life insurance after a heart attack. It may be more expensive than plans with health questions, but it is, guaranteed. Your acceptance is guaranteed without having to answer any health questions or undergo any medical exam.
Purchasing a guaranteed if you had a heart attack is worth it; you won’t lose money with this plan, and it ends up costing less than not having insurance coverage at all.
What Types Of Insurance Policies Should I Avoid?
Not all burial insurance is right for you. There are some insurance policies you should avoid.
Here’s a list of life insurance policies you should avoid:
| PLANS TO AVOID | WHY? |
|---|---|
| Term life | Premiums increase after 5 years. Coverage ends after 80. |
| Pre-paid funeral plans | Expensive |
| Universal life | Tied with stocks |
| No health questions policies | With 2-year waiting period |
| Plans offering "teaser rates" | $9.95 per unit plans or $1 buys $100,000 coverage |
| Over priced plans | Insurance from TV and junk mail |
| Plans that accept mail-in payments | Risky |
| Plans that accept Direct Express | High lapse rate |
| Plans that accept Credit Cards | High lapse rate |
Do I Need To Take A Medical Exam To Qualify For Burial Insurance?
No. You don’t need a medical exam to qualify for burial insurance after a heart attack. You don’t need to submit blood or urine samples. You don’t need to submit your latest EKG or stress test results either.
You will only need to answer a simple health questionnaire to qualify for coverage. You can also opt for no health questions life insurance if you want to.
Heart Attack And Its Effect On Burial Insurance
After a heart attack, many people realize their risk of death and the importance of life insurance.
Most people think they can’t get life insurance after a heart attack or the policy will be too expensive. This is not true; there are still options for you to get affordable coverage.
The good news is that you can get life insurance coverage after a heart attack, you have to take the right steps.
The time since your last attack will determine what type of burial insurance you will qualify for. If you had your last heart attack over a year ago, there’s nothing to worry about. You can access carriers offering level death benefits at the lowest price possible.
On the other hand, if your heart attack is just recent or within the last 12 months, you cannot avoid a waiting period. No burial insurance company will offer you a plan with immediate coverage if your heart attack is just recent.
A heart attack will not eliminate you from being able to buy burial insurance coverage. And you don’t have to take a medical exam to qualify. A handful of insurance carriers cater specifically to heart attack victims. We know those heart attack-friendly companies and can help you get coverage.
WHAT IF I HAD MULTIPLE HEART ATTACKS?
A single heart attack is a lesser form of heart disease than multiple heart attacks, which are considered a higher risk to longevity. With each heart attack, heart damage accumulates.
Having multiple heart attacks will not qualify you for traditional life insurance, but you might be eligible for burial insurance at a higher premium and smaller death benefit.
Guaranteed issue or guaranteed acceptance life insurance is your best bet if you have multiple heart attacks or a more severe form of heart disease.
WHAT IF MY APPLICATION WAS DECLINED?
Have you been denied insurance coverage in the past because of your heart attack? We can help you.
Life insurance rejection will impact your record negatively because it will be reflected in the Medical Information Bureau (MIB), which keeps the information about approvals and denials. This information can be accessed by the life insurance agency and can influence your approval, resulting in higher premiums.
If you are declined life insurance because of your heart attack, we can help. Your best chance of being approved is with the help of an independent life insurance agency like Funeral Funds.
We will shop your case to multiple carriers to find you the best plan.
We can get you a guaranteed issue burial insurance policy. These plans do not require a medical exam or health questionnaire; you can qualify regardless of your medical condition.
If you’ve been rejected for coverage in the past, we will help you apply with the right company and correct any wrong information in the MIB.
We can also reframe your application to include recent health improvements. If your insurance application was denied in the past, call us, and we will help you find the best option possible.
BURIAL INSURANCE, SMOKING, AND HEART ATTACK
Life insurance premiums for smokers are twice that of non-smokers. One great thing about guaranteed issue life insurance companies is they don’t punish you for smoking…your rates will be the same as a non-smoker!
This is because smokers have a higher risk of heart disease, repeat heart attacks, and premature death
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that smokers have three times higher mortality than those who never smoked.
Burial Insurance Underwriting If You Have A History Of Heart Attack
Most (but not all) burial insurance companies ask some health questions on the application and perform a prescription history check to verify your health status.
HEALTH QUESTIONS
Every burial insurance company with underwriting (health questions) will ask about recent heart attacks differently.
You will commonly see heart attack asked this way:
- Have you been diagnosed or treated for a heart attack within the last 12 months?
- Have you been diagnosed or treated for a heart attack within the last 2 years?
Most burial insurance companies ask about heart attacks within the last two years. Only a handful will have a one-year look-back period on a heart attack.
PRESCRIPTION HISTORY CHECK
Insurance companies will also perform prescription history checks to verify your health status. The presence of heart attack medications or blood thinners will indicate that you had a heart attack.
Only a few drugs are used specifically for heart attack patients. In most cases, they will see a prescription of blood thinners like Coumadin, Warfarin, or Plavix.
The insurance company will search for your prescription medication history to see if you have previously been prescribed these medications. If they find any, it will indicate you had a heart attack.
Here’s a list of common medications for heart attack:
- Aspirin
- Digoxin
- Thrombolytics
- Antiplatelet agents
- Blood-thinning medications
- Pain relievers
- Nitroglycerin
- Beta-blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Statins
- Vasodilators
- Warfarin
Taking blood thinners may affect your application approval as some companies are more restrictive for people taking blood thinners.
If you’re taking nitroglycerin or have an angina diagnosis, you will have difficulty qualifying for immediate coverage. With many burial insurance carriers, nitrate medications are an automatic decline. However, we have companies that will still work with you though you’re taking blood thinners.
If your recent heart attack requires you to take a blood thinner for the rest of your life, we can still get you approved, but your premiums will likely be 20% higher due to the increased risk associated with the long-term use of blood thinner.
How Much Insurance Do I Need If I Had A Heart Attack?
After knowing you can qualify for burial insurance after a heart attack. Let us determine how much insurance you need.
The amount of burial insurance you need varies on your personal need, goals, and financial circumstances. We will show you how to compute the amount of burial insurance you should buy.
Your burial insurance amount should cover your end-of-life expenses so that your family will not experience financial loss from your demise when you pass away.
Here are the steps to calculate your burial insurance needs:
1. Figure out your final expenses. Decide if you want to be buried or cremated. If you’re going to be buried when you leave this world, here are the average costs of funeral and burial expenses from the National Funeral Directors Association.
| AVERAGE FUNERAL COST WITH VIEWING AND BURIAL | |
|---|---|
| Non-declinable basic services | $2,300 |
| Removal/ transfer of remains to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming & preparation of the body | $1,050 |
| Use of facilities for viewing & funeral ceremony | $965 |
| Hearse | $325 |
| Service car/van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $183 |
| Metal casket | $2,500 |
| Vault | $1,572 |
| Median Cost of a Funeral With Viewing and Burial | $9,420 |
To be cremated, use the table below to calculate your final expense cost.
| AVERAGE FUNERAL COST WITH VIEWING AND CREMATION | |
|---|---|
| Non-declinable basic services fee | $2,300 |
| Removal/ transfer of remains to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming & preparation of the body | $1,050 |
| Use of facilities for viewing & funeral ceremony | $965 |
| Service car/van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $183 |
| Cremation fee (if firm uses a third-party crematory) | $368 |
| Cremation Casket | $1,310 |
| Urn | $295 |
| Median Cost of a Funeral with Viewing and Cremation | $6,970 |
| Rental Casket | $995 |
| Alternate Cremation Container | $150 |
Request a general price list from your nearest funeral director to get an accurate price for each service you need.
2. Compute your other final expenses. Include your medical bills, outstanding debts, credit card debts, and other past-due accounts on your computation.
3. Add your burial or cremation cost with your other final expenses. Your final expense plus an allowance for inflation should be the amount of coverage to buy. The average burial cost today is around $10,000. It is wise to get at least $15,000 to cover inflation.
How Should I Pay My Insurance Premiums?
Paying through savings or a checking account is the best way to pay your premiums. We recommend you set a bank draft from your savings or checking account. That way, the bank will automatically pay your premium monthly based on your schedule.
We find monthly premium payments to be the best because it is easier on the budget. You can schedule your insurance payments to coincide with your retirement benefit schedule. You no longer have to worry about your policy lapsing due to non-payment.
Heart Attack And Burial Insurance Riders
Policy riders add benefits to your primary policy. Adding policy riders will enhance your policy to fit your specific needs. Some policies are built-in to your policy, but others can be added with extra costs.
Here’s a list of common burial insurance riders you can add to your policy:
| FUNERAL FUNDS ADD-ONS | AVAILABILITY |
|---|---|
| Terminal Illness Add-On Benefit | Included with most plans |
| Nursing Home Care Add-On Benefit | Included with most plans |
What Will We Ask You If You Had A Recent Heart Attack?
When applying for burial insurance coverage after a heart attack, you must provide as much information as possible. Your information will help us understand your current health and will help us to give you an accurate quote.
If you had a heart attack, we would ask you a series of health questions which include:
- How many heart attacks did you have?
- When was your last heart attack?
- What medications do you take to treat your heart attack?
- What treatments were recommended to you?
- Are you taking nitro pills for the last two years?
- Do you experience angina (chest pains) since the heart attack?
- Did you have any type of surgery like heart bypass or stent placement because of your heart attack?
- Do you have other health conditions other than heart disease?
You need to be completely honest when you answer these questions. The more information you give, the better your chances of finding affordable coverage.
How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
Finding life insurance for seniors with health issues shouldn’t be a frustrating process; working with an independent agency like Funeral Funds will make the process easier and quicker. We know the right burial insurance carriers that only have a one-year lookback period on a heart attack.
If you have a health history of heart attack, let us help you; we will work with you side by side to find the best life insurance companies for heart disease.
We will work with you every step to find the plan that fits your financial requirements and budget. You don’t have to waste your precious time searching for multiple insurance companies because we will do the dirty work for you.
We will shop your case to different insurance carriers and get you the best price.
We work with many A+ rated insurance carriers that specialize in covering high-risk clients like you. We will search all those companies to get the best rate. We will match you up with the best burial insurance company that gives the best rate.
We will assist you in securing the coverage you need at a rate you can afford. So, if you are looking for heart attack funeral insurance, heart attack burial insurance, or heart attack life insurance, we can help.
Fill out our quote form on this page or call us at (888) 862-9456, and we can give you accurate life insurance quotes.
Additional Questions & Answers On Burial Insurance After A Heart Attack
Is heart attack covered under life insurance?
Yes, a heart attack is generally covered under life insurance policies. However, the coverage may be limited depending on the time that passed since your last heart attack.
Can you get life insurance after a heart attack?
Yes, you can still get life insurance after a heart attack; you may even qualify for a first-day coverage plan if your heart attack is over a year ago or longer.
Does life insurance pay out for heart attack?
Yes, a life insurance policy will pay a death benefit if you die from a heart attack. The payout amount will vary based on the terms and conditions of your policy.
Does heart disease affect life insurance?
Heart disease can affect your life insurance premiums, as it is a pre-existing condition. However, you may still be able to get life insurance coverage if you have heart disease.
What are the chances of having a heart attack?
According to the American Heart Association, about 735,000 Americans have a heart attack yearly. This means that about one in every four deaths in the United States is from a heart attack.
Is heart attack considered as accidental death?
No, a heart attack is not considered an accidental death. However, if you die from a heart attack while participating in a hazardous activity, your beneficiaries may be able to receive an accidental death benefit from your life insurance policy.
Does insurance cover heart attack?
Heart attack is generally covered under life insurance policies. However, the coverage may be limited depending on the time that passed since your last heart attack.
Can you get burial insurance after a heart attack?
Yes, you can still get burial insurance after a heart attack. You may even qualify for a first-day coverage plan if your heart attack is over a year ago or longer.
How much does burial insurance cost after a heart attack?
The cost of burial insurance after a heart attack may vary depending on the insurance company you choose. However, most burial insurance plans accept people who are 50-85 years old, so you can still get coverage.
Is a heart attack a pre existing condition?
Yes, heart disease is considered a pre-existing condition. However, you may still be able to get life insurance coverage if you have heart disease.
Does life insurance pay out for heart failure?
Yes, life insurance will pay out a death benefit if you die from heart failure. The payout amount will vary based on the terms and conditions of your policy.
What is the average lifespan after a heart attack?
The average lifespan after a heart attack can vary depending on several factors, such as age, health, and lifestyle. However, many people do live long lives after a heart attack.
What is the difference between a heart attack and a stroke?
The main difference between a heart attack and a stroke is that a heart attack is caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the heart, while a stroke is caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the brain.
Can you get final expense insurance after a heart attack?
Yes, you can still get final expense insurance after a heart attack. You may even qualify for a first-day coverage plan if your heart attack is over a year ago or longer.
What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?
The main difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest is that a heart attack is caused by a blockage in the blood supply to the heart, while cardiac arrest is caused by the sudden loss of heart function.
Can you get cremation insurance after a heart attack?
Yes, you can get cremation insurance after a heart attack. However, first-day coverage may be limited if it is very recent.
What should you do if you think you are having a heart attack?
If you think you are having a heart attack, you should call 911 immediately. Do not try to treat the problem yourself.
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