Can You Get Life Insurance With HIV/AIDS?

Living with HIV/AIDS can be challenging, but acquiring life insurance does not have to be.

This article is designed to help educate those living with HIV/AIDS about obtaining life insurance coverage.

We’ll discuss available policies and how life insurance rates are determined based on your health conditions.

You’ll also find helpful tips and resources to make obtaining life insurance coverage easier. With this knowledge, you can take steps towards securing the financial protection you need while living with HIV/AIDS.

Life Insurance Options With HIV/AIDS

Unfortunately, all four carriers discussed in this article do not provide coverage for individuals diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Carriers have a strict underwriting process that considers the proposed insured’s medical history and any history of serious medical conditions that may increase the risk of early mortality. The carriers will also likely decline coverage for any proposed insured diagnosed with AIDS or HIV. It is also likely that these conditions shorten the life expectancy of the proposed insured, which is not favorable for the carrier.

It is important to note that while this table shows that these life insurance products do not offer coverage for individuals with AIDS or HIV, other products or carriers may offer coverage. It is also possible that some carriers may offer coverage with increased premiums or exclusions.

How Common is HIV/AIDS in the United States?

HIV/AIDS is a serious health issue in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1, 189, 700 people aged 13 and older were living with HIV at the end of 2019, including about 158, 500 whose infections had not yet been diagnosed.

At the end of 2020, 1,070,604 adolescents and adults were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in the United States.

The prevalence of HIV infection increases among certain groups at higher risk, such as African Americans and those who engage in unsafe sex practices or injection drug use.

While advancements have been made in treatment and prevention strategies, HIV/AIDS continues to be a major public health concern in the US and globally.

Why Life Insurance Companies Care About HIV/AIDS?

One of the main concerns for life insurance companies when it comes to HIV/AIDS is the risk of mortality. People living with HIV are at a higher risk of dying from various infections and diseases, as the virus attacks and weakens the immune system.

One of the most common causes of death among people with HIV/AIDS is an opportunistic infection.

These are infections that take advantage of a weakened immune system and can include pneumonia, tuberculosis, and certain types of cancer. HIV can also lead to neurological complications and organ damage, which can further increase the risk of mortality.

In addition to the risk of mortality, life insurance companies also have to consider the cost of treatment for HIV/AIDS. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the main treatment for HIV and can be expensive, especially if it is needed over a long period of time. ART can also have side effects that can further increase the risk of mortality. ART helps your body reduce chronic inflammation; however, even low levels of inflammation take a toll on the body, increasing the risk of diabetes or kidney disease. Life insurance rates for diabetes significantly take a hit, so having both health conditions would make it more difficult to obtain insurance.

To mitigate these risks, life insurance companies may ask for additional medical information or require more frequent checkups when determining life insurance premiums for those with HIV/AIDS. They may also require proof of consistent ART treatment and a stable viral load in order to offer more reasonable premiums.

Common Questions Asked by Carriers

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Term Life Insurance When You have HIV/AIDS

Term life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that provides coverage for a specified period of time and pays out a death benefit should the insured pass away within that period.

It is typically much more affordable than whole life policies, making it an attractive choice for people looking to protect their loved ones with minimal cost.

Term Life Insurance Application Questions About HIV/AIDS

This table demonstrates the decision criteria used by two insurance carriers, Mutual of Omaha and American Amicable, for declining coverage for a proposed insured.

The first criteria listed is for Mutual of Omaha and relates to the proposed insured being advised by a member of the medical profession to have a surgical operation or diagnostic testing other than for routine screening purposes or for those related to HIV/AIDS, treatment, or other procedure that has not been done. If you answer “yes,” you will be declined for coverage.

The second criteria listed is for American Amicable and relates to the proposed insured being medically treated or diagnosed by a medical professional as having Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS-related complex (ARC), or any immune deficiency-related disorder or tested positive for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). You will be declined if you also answer “yes” to this question.

Both carriers have a strict underwriting process considering the proposed insured’s medical history for AIDS or HIV.

Final Expense Life Insurance when you have HIV/AIDS

Final Expense life insurance is a type of life insurance policy designed to provide financial assistance for burial costs and other end-of-life expenses.

It typically provides coverage regardless of existing health conditions, including HIV/AIDS, making it an ideal option for many individuals living with this condition.

Final Expense Application Questions: HIV/AIDS

Can You Get Life Insurance With HIV?

Advancements in the management of HIV have led to longer life expectancies — and they could mean more options for life insurance. This is great news if you want to secure peace of mind for your family.

Life insurance options are available whether you’re facing a new diagnosis or managing an old one. But every company has its own set of rules that will impact your premiums and coverage. 

Here’s what you need to know about getting life insurance as a person with HIV. 

What is HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the body’s immune system. HIV specifically targets CD4 cells, essential for protecting the body against infection. 

HIV is primarily transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids. Many people who get HIV don’t experience symptoms until weeks later. Some remain asymptomatic for years. But diagnosing HIV early is critical to preventing the progression of the disease. 

Over time, as HIV destroys CD4 cells, it uses them to replicate the viral cells. If left untreated, HIV continues to progress. In severe cases, it can turn into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS not only increases the risk of infection but also the risk of certain cancers.

Ongoing treatment is critical for stopping the progression of HIV. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) involves several medications and is considered the cornerstone of HIV management. 

One of the things ART does is reduce the viral load to undetectable levels. It’s an incredible breakthrough for improving the quality of life for people with HIV. 

Getting Coverage with HIV: What To Expect

Every insurance company has its own requirements when it comes to underwriting for HIV. Generally, they want applicants who are:

• Actively and consistently using ART therapy to manage their condition
• Maintaining a healthy CD4 count, since a low count makes you more susceptible to infections
• Living an active lifestyle and avoiding smoking, drinking, and risky hobbies 
• Not diagnosed with hepatitis, AIDS, or certain conditions that can lead to aids in an HIV-positive person 
• Not using any illicit substances 

Some other factors beyond your control will also impact your life insurance options. For instance, many companies will not insure you if your treatment began less than 6-12 months ago. This is because they want proof that you’re sticking to a treatment like ART and getting good results from it.

Overall, the underwriting process for a traditional life insurance policy is quite extensive. In addition to medical records, you may be asked to provide recent test results and a physician’s statement. But guaranteed issue life insurance does not require these things.

What type of life insurance can I get if I’m HIV positive?

If you are HIV positive, getting a traditional life insurance policy will mean many months of exams and tests — and you can still get declined in the end. 

Guaranteed issue policies are perhaps the best option for someone living with HIV. They do not require any medical exams, tests, or health questions. 

With a guaranteed issue policy, your rates are based entirely on age and gender. 

Can I Get Term Life Insurance with HIV?

Term life lasts for a fixed period, usually between 5 and 40 years. If you outlive your policy, it simply expires. 

But, a progressive diagnosis like HIV poses more risk to the insurance company. That means you will have trouble getting a term life policy if you have HIV. 

In most cases, having HIV will automatically disqualify you for term life coverage. 

The Best and Worst Companies for Term Life Insurance with HIV

In 2023, California passed a law preventing life insurance companies from denying coverage based on a positive HIV test alone. If you reside in California, you have an extended list of options.

However, outside of California, options remain limited. 

Currently, no companies that GetSure is affiliated with offer term life policies to people with HIV. This includes American Amicable, Americo, Foresters, Mutual of Omaha, and Prosperity.

Can I Get Whole Life Insurance with HIV?

Whole life insurance, also known as permanent life insurance, is a type of life insurance that never expires. Once you purchase a whole life policy, you can keep it for the remainder of your lifetime. 

If you’re living with HIV, whole life insurance can provide lasting peace of mind — especially as treatment options improve. But, most companies will deny whole life coverage if you have HIV. 

Let’s review the whole life underwriting process and how HIV impacts your options. 

How Whole Life Insurance Companies Underwrite for HIV

It’s rare for someone with HIV to qualify for a simplified issue policy. You may know simplified issue as “no exam” life insurance. It is essentially whole life, but without any exams or tests required.

Many people opt for simplified issue life insurance when they know they won’t qualify for traditional insurance — or they don’t want to jump through hoops to get it.

But HIV is an automatic disqualifier for most simplified issue whole life policies.

Instead, you should seek out a guaranteed issue policy. Here’s what you need to know about them: 

• Approval: You can’t be denied guaranteed issue whole life as long as you meet the insurer’s age criteria. These policies are usually available to people over 45. 
• Application: There is no medical exam or health questionnaire involved.
• Premiums: Your premiums are based entirely on your gender and age.
• Terms: There’s a 2-year waiting period before you’re eligible for the policy’s full amount. If you pass away during that period, the death benefit will equal the premiums you’ve paid, plus a small amount of interest. 

The Best and Worst Companies for Whole Life Insurance with HIV

Most companies will decline both simplified and guaranteed whole life coverage if you have HIV. This includes Aetna, Americo, CVS Health, Mutual of Omaha, Prosperity, and others.

However, you still have options for guaranteed whole life. For instance, companies like Great Western offer guaranteed issue policies to those with HIV. You need only fit their target age range to get approved. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do life insurance companies test for HIV?

HIV tests are common during the underwriting process for traditional life insurance. If an insurer discovers that you have HIV and you did not disclose it to them, they may not offer you a policy. If they do, it will likely be a graded or modified policy with higher premiums. 

Do I have to tell life insurance that I have HIV?

Lying about your medical history or leaving out important information on an application is a form of life insurance fraud. But, if you are diagnosed with HIV after buying life insurance, your company cannot legally cancel your policy. 

Does undetectable HIV impact my life insurance options? 

For a traditional policy, underwriters will want to see HIV tests return an undetectable viral load. This means your HIV is being well-managed through techniques like ART therapy. However, being HIV positive will still impact the types of policies available to you.