Life Insurance With HIV/AIDS
- Updated: January 18, 2023
- Rikin Shah | Licensed Life & Health Insurance Agent
- Fact-Checked (see our Editorial Guidelines)
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.
| Product | Coverage Available? |
|---|---|
| Term Life Insurance | No |
| Final Expense Insurance | No |
| Guaranteed Issue Insurance | Yes |
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.
What Key Questions Are Asked by Carriers?
Burial Insurance
15 companies competing for your business
97% of the time we beat Colonial Penn
30 days to get your money back, no questions asked
* Based on website quote requests, through 2/28/23.
(Check your rate to see their rates vs. ours)
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
| Company | App Questions | Decision Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | Has the Proposed Insured ever been diagnosed as having Acquired Immune Dificiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS Related Complex (ARC), or been treated for AIDS or ARC by a physician or health care provider?. | Decline |
| American Amicable | Has the proposed insured been prescribed medication by a medical professional or currently under treatment for: been 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)? | Decline |
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
| Company | App Questions | Decision Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| American Amicable | Have you ever been 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 HumanImmunodeficiency Virus (HIV)? | Decline |
| Transamerica | Have you ever been diagnosed by a licensed member of the medical profession or tested positive for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or tested positive on an AIDS/HIV-related test? | Decline |
This table demonstrates the decision criteria used by two final expense insurance carriers, American Amicable and Transamerica, for declining coverage for a proposed insured.
Both carriers have similar criteria, which are related 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).
The carriers will decline coverage for any proposed insured diagnosed with AIDS or HIV.
Guaranteed Issue Final Expense Insurance
There are other life insurance options such as guaranteed issue. Unlike traditional life insurance policy, guaranteed issue final expense insurance does not require a medical exam or the applicant to answer any health questions and is designed to provide financial assistance to cover funeral expenses and other final costs.
This plan is ideal for customers who cannot secure traditional life insurance policies due to their pre-existing medical conditions, such as HIV/AIDS.
With guaranteed issue life insurance, AIDS & HIV positive people can rest assured that their families will be financially protected and their final costs covered, even if their medical condition worsens over time.
Burial Insurance
15 companies competing for your business
97% of the time we beat Colonial Penn
30 days to get your money back, no questions asked
* Based on website quote requests, through 2/28/23.
(Check your rate to see their rates vs. ours)
Rikin Shah
Burial Insurance
15 companies competing for your business
97% of the time we beat Colonial Penn
30 days to get your money back, no questions asked
* Based on website quote requests, through 2/28/23.
(Check your rate to see their rates vs. ours)