Can you get life insurance if you have kidney disease?
You can get a life insurance policy if you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition characterized by progressive damage and loss of function in the kidneys. [1] The stage of your disease and any treatment or medication you’ve been prescribed, will determine the type of coverage and rates you’ll be eligible for.
Life insurance terms you should know
Beneficiaries: The people you name on your life insurance policy to receive the lump sum of money — also known as the death benefit — when you die.
Cash value: The portion of a permanent life insurance policy’s monetary value that grows tax-deferred over the life of the policy.
Death benefit: The amount of money the life insurance company will pay your beneficiaries when you die.
Face amount: The dollar amount, or death benefit, your beneficiaries receive if you die while your life insurance policy is active.
Insured: The person who is covered by the insurance policy.
Policy: The legal document that includes the terms and conditions of your life insurance contract.
Policyholder: The person who owns an insurance policy. Usually, this is the same person as the insured.
Permanent life insurance: A type of life insurance that lasts for the rest of your life and usually includes a cash value account.
Premium: The amount you pay your insurance company to keep your coverage active. Premiums are typically paid monthly or annually.
Riders: Add-ons to a life insurance policy that provide more robust coverage, sometimes for an extra cost.
Term life insurance: A life insurance policy that lasts for a set number of years before it expires. If you die before the term is up, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit.
Underwriting: The process where an insurance company evaluates the risk of insuring you and determines your final rate.
If your kidneys don’t work well for longer than three months, this means you have CKD. This is most commonly caused by diabetes or high blood pressure. [2] If your kidney disease has only progressed to stage 1 — which means your kidneys are still working well but you may have signs of kidney damage — [3] and you’ve demonstrated stability with minimal treatment, you could receive lower-than-average life insurance rates.
If you have renal failure or need dialysis — or if your kidney disease has reached stages 4 or 5 — you may not be eligible for traditional life insurance coverage — but you’ll still have options. [4]
A note on person-first language
At Policygenius, we generally aim to use person-first language, which emphasizes the person rather than a disability or condition. For example, on this page we prefer using the term “people receiving dialysis” rather than “dialysis patients.” However, because some people prefer identity-first language, we do sometimes use these terms to ensure our content is both visible to them and acknowledges the way they identify. For example, though we would normally use the term “people with disabilities,” we know some people prefer “disabled people.” For more on person-first vs. identity-first language, see this style guide from the National Institutes of Health.
Can you get life insurance if you have polycystic kidney disease?
If you have polycystic kidney disease (PKD) — a genetic disorder that can lead to CKD and renal failure — [5] you’ll be able to buy life insurance, but you’re more likely to pay higher-than-average rates. There is no cure for PKD, so insurance companies consider it an increased insurance risk.
Can you get life insurance if you’re getting dialysis?
If you’re receiving dialysis, a treatment for people who experience kidney failure, you won’t be eligible for traditional life insurance coverage. [6] In this case, you could consider applying for a policy that has fewer medical requirements for approval, like final expense insurance.
Can you get life insurance if you’ve had a kidney transplant?
If you’ve received a kidney transplant, it’s generally recommended that you wait at least one year after the procedure to apply for life insurance. Life insurance companies will want to see that your body has accepted the new kidney and maintained a stable condition after the transplant.
Once your body adjusts to the transplant, you may be eligible for traditional life insurance coverage, but whether you’re approved and at which rate will depend on the insurer you’re applying with and your health history pertaining to your kidney disease.
Before offering your coverage, the insurance company will confirm details such as your creatine and protein levels, the source of the kidney you received — whether it was from a living donor or a deceased donor — and any medications you’re taking.
How do life insurance companies evaluate kidney disease?
If you’ve been treated for acute kidney failure (which can be caused by infection or an injury, among other possible causes), [7] insurance companies will want to have a thorough and accurate view of your medical profile before they make a formal offer of coverage.
You should expect a medical exam, a prescription history check, and an attending physician statement (APS) order to be completed during underwriting.
The underwriting process usually takes four to six weeks. During that time, the insurer will verify the personal and health information you submitted on the application. This information will help the insurance company assess your risk and determine a fair rate for the insurance coverage you need.
In this case, the insurer will want to verify specific details about the stage of your kidney disease, any additional conditions affecting your health, and whether you’re following any treatment and taking any prescriptions.
Why does kidney disease affect life insurance rates?
Kidney disease affects how much your life insurance costs because it may increase your insurance risk — in other words, because the chances that you die while your coverage is in effect are higher. People who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease statistically have shorter-than-average life expectancies. [8]
Any condition from your medical or personal history that affects how long you’re expected to live will impact how much you pay for life insurance.
What are the best types of life insurance for people with kidney disease?
Term life insurance and whole life insurance are the two main types of life insurance policies people with kidney disease are eligible for. As long as your kidney disease is at stage 3 or lower, you should have no problem being eligible for any of these options.
Term life insurance lasts for a specific term, usually between 10 and 30 years, and is easy to manage. Term life is generally the most cost-effective type of insurance and the best option for anyone looking to provide a financial safety net to their loved ones in the event of their death.
Whole life insurance is a type of permanent coverage, which means it doesn’t expire. It comes with a cash value component that grows over time and which you can borrow from while you’re still alive. Due to these reasons, whole life is significantly more expensive than term life. However, it can be a good option for high-net-worth individuals looking to complement their estate planning, for people with long-term financial responsibilities, or for people who have dependents that require lifelong care, like aging parents or a child with disabilities.
Life insurance options for dialysis patients & people with advanced kidney disease
If you’re on dialysis or your kidney disease is at stage 4 or higher, you can consider the following coverage options.
Guaranteed issue life insurance. It’s a type of final expense insurance aimed at covering end-of-life expenses, such as a funeral or medical bills. Coverage amounts are small — usually capped at $25,000 — but approval is near-guaranteed. This type of coverage is usually available for people age 45 and up.
Group life insurance. A group policy is typically provided by your employer for free or at a subsidized rate. While group policies offer low payouts — usually, one to two times your salary — but coverage is guaranteed.
Spousal insurance rider. If your spouse has life insurance coverage, they may have the option to get additional coverage for you through a spousal rider. This policy supplement adds a small amount of coverage for your spouse to your policy, in addition to your own death benefit.
Best life insurance companies for people with kidney disease
We used industry data, pricing from Policygenius carrier partners, and ratings from third parties like AM Best and J.D. Power to pick the best life insurance companies on the market. Our independent recommendations will help you get life insurance coverage with confidence.
Methodology
Why you can trust our picks
Our recommendations are based on internal and external expert analysis, as well as our Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. When reviewing a life insurance company, our editorial team uses a proprietary scoring rubric with five factors — price, policy details, financial strength, transparency, and customer experience — to assign an unbiased rating between one and five stars. These ratings are also taken into consideration as part of our company recommendations. We don’t get paid for our reviews.
Our reviews and recommendations can help you find a reliable insurer for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you depends on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can support you during the application process to ensure you get the right coverage for your circumstances at the most competitive price.
Best term life insurance for people with chronic kidney disease: Corebridge Financial & Protective
2024 Policygenius award winner
Corebridge Financial
4.6
30+ year terms
All 50 states
Why we chose it
With competitive pricing and a range of flexible term periods for its Select-a-Term product, Corebridge is a solid option for many life insurance shoppers. Note: We are currently using AIG’s financial strength ratings until Corebridge has its own rating.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive pricing for all ages
Favorable underwriting for people with heart conditions and diabetes
Good for current and recently pregnant people, including people with gestational diabetes
Cons
Not the best for people with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression
No no-medical-exam term option
Our analysis found that Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life & Retirement) is the best term life insurance option for people with CKD. It can offer affordable term life rates and more flexibility during the application process for people with kidney disease. If your condition is at stage 1, you could even be eligible for lower-than-average rates.
Protective
4.8
30+ year terms
Why we chose it
Protective has some of the most affordable and comprehensive life insurance options available.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for all ages and health classifications
Good for people with mental health conditions, kidney conditions, and some cancers, including prostate cancer
Term lengths up to 40 years
Cons
Not available in New York
Not great for people who have had bankruptcy, marijuana users, or visa holders
No no-medical-exam policy options
Protective is one of the best insurers for people with stages 1 through 3 kidney disease. it can offer more affordable rates compared to some of its competitors for the same health profile.
Best guaranteed issue life insurance for people on dialysis or with advanced kidney disease
Mutual of Omaha
4.5
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Mutual of Omaha is a reputable company that offers a variety of life insurance products — including a no-medical-exam option — so that you can select the type of life insurance that best suits your needs.
Pros and cons
Pros
No-medical-exam options for older applicants
Strong financial and customer ratings
Cons
Policies are more expensive than average
Slow turnaround time
According to our analysis, Mutual of Omaha offers the best guaranteed issue life insurance option for people on dialysis or with advanced kidney disease. The company offers affordable guaranteed issue policies to people age 45 to 85.
Comparing the best life insurance companies for people with kidney disease
Insurer | Policygenius rating | Best for | AM Best rating | |
4.8/5 ★ | Term life insurance | A+ | ||
4.6/5 ★ | Term life insurance | A | ||
4.5/5 ★ | Guaranteed issue life insurance | A+ |
Read more about the best life insurance companies of 2024
How much does life insurance cost if you have kidney disease?
A 50-year-old non-smoking male whose health has been minimally impacted by kidney disease could pay less than $103 per month for a 20-year term life insurance policy with a $500,000 payout. A female of the same age and the same medical history could pay $78 per month for the same policy. The cost of life insurance for someone with kidney disease will vary greatly depending on the stage of disease and treatment required.
20-year term life insurance rates for people with kidney disease
Age | Gender | Minimal impact from kidney disease | Mild impact from kidney disease | Moderate impact from kidney disease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
40 | Female | $35.27 | $45.23 | $77.40 |
Male | $42.94 | $55.47 | $95.84 | |
50 | Female | $78.29 | $97.11 | $170.87 |
Male | $102.50 | $130.15 | $217.49 | |
60 | Female | $194.16 | $252.41 | $427.43 |
Male | $268.04 | $348.46 | $611.99 |
Methodology: Average monthly estimated rates are calculated for non-smokers in Preferred, Standard Plus, and Table 2 Substandard health classifications, obtaining a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy. Life insurance rates are based on policies offered by Policygenius from Corebridge Financial, and may vary by insurer, policy type, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 04/01/2023.
Guaranteed issue life insurance rates for people with chronic kidney disease
If the kidney disease is more advanced, a 50-year-old male could expect to pay $99 per month for a guaranteed issue life insurance policy with a death benefit of $25,000. A 50-year-old female could expect to pay under $75 per month for the same coverage.
Age | Gender | $5,000 coverage amount | $15,000 coverage amount | $25,000 coverage amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
50 | Female | $15.69 | $45.08 | $74.47 |
Male | $20.59 | $59.78 | $98.96 | |
60 | Female | $21.84 | $63.52 | $105.21 |
Male | $28.94 | $84.82 | $140.69 | |
70 | Female | $32.44 | $95.31 | $158.19 |
Male | $43.83 | $129.50 | $215.16 | |
80 | Female | $63.92 | $189.77 | $315.62 |
Male | $79.02 | $235.06 | $391.09 |
Methodology: Sample monthly rates are calculated for males and females obtaining a $5,000, $15,000, or $25,000 guaranteed issue whole life insurance policy. Life insurance rates are based on policies offered by Policygenius from Mutual of Omaha. Rates may vary by insurer, policy type, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 04/01/2024.
How to shop for life insurance with kidney disease
If you have CKD, the life insurance you’re eligible for will depend on the specifics of your diagnosis and treatment. Demonstrating consistency in your health and medical treatment could improve your options for insurance coverage.
Calculate your coverage needs. Your policy should ideally provide enough coverage to ensure that your loved ones won’t struggle financially without your financial support. A common rule of thumb is to multiply your income by 10 to 15 — but you can also use our life insurance coverage calculator to get a more personalized estimate.
Get quotes. You’ll provide some basic information to get your initial quotes — like your age, gender, and any major health conditions. If you have a kidney condition, the agent will ask you additional questions about it in order to get an accurate picture of your health profile and coverage options. A Policygenius expert can help you compare life insurance quotes from over 10 top insurers for free.
Apply. Next, you’ll fill out an application to submit to the insurer. This involves providing details on your medical history — including your history of kidney disease — and finances, as well as information like your driver’s license number and address.
Take a medical exam. After you complete your application, your life insurance agent will help you schedule your medical exam, which is a common part of the application process. A medical professional can meet you at your home or office to complete the exam. If you have a history of kidney disease, the insurance company will most likely also request an attending physician statement (APS) from your doctor in order to confirm your medical and treatment history.
Wait for approval. It can take up to four to six weeks for the insurance company to review your application and your medical exam. If your doctor requests medical records. the process can take a bit longer.
Sign & pay. Your insurance company will extend you a final offer for coverage, which is when you’ll know your final rate. From here, you can sign your policy documents and pay your first premium, which will activate your coverage.
If you’re not sure about your coverage options based on your history of kidney disease, speak with a licensed agent to discuss the details of your case and determine which type of insurance is best for you and the amount you can afford.
At Policygenius, our experts are licensed in all 50 states and can walk you through the entire life insurance buying process while offering transparent, unbiased advice.
Other health concerns that can affect your life insurance
Certain pre-existing conditions and other health-related concerns can affect your life insurance options or costs. A Policygenius expert can help you find the right policy for your needs.
Mental health issues such as depression or anxiety
Frequently asked questions
Will a diagnosis of kidney disease prevent you from getting life insurance?
No. Having chronic kidney disease could limit your coverage options, but there are life insurance policies that are guaranteed to offer you approval, regardless of your medical status. One of them is guaranteed issue life insurance.
Can you still get coverage if you’re on dialysis or had a kidney transplant?
If you’re on dialysis or have undergone a kidney transplant in the last year, you won’t be approved for a traditional life insurance policy, like term life. But you’ll be eligible for guaranteed issue life insurance, a type of whole life coverage that doesn’t require a medical exam for approval and offers smaller payouts than traditional term life.
What happens if you get diagnosed with kidney disease after your life insurance policy is active?
Once your life insurance policy is in effect, the insurance company must honor the terms of the agreement. It can’t change the price or cancel your policy if you’re diagnosed with a condition like chronic kidney disease. Your policy won’t change if you receive a diagnosis once it’s already active.
