Life insurance covers deaths from COVID-19, whether or not you or your loved ones have had the vaccine.
Updated Sep 5, 2024 · 3 min read Written by Georgia Rose Lead Writer Georgia Rose
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Georgia Rose is a lead writer on the international team at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post , The New York Times, The Independent and The Associated Press . Throughout her career, Georgia has written on a variety of subjects, including personal finance, government policy, science and technology. She enjoys researching complex topics and distilling the information for her readers. Before joining the international team, she wrote for the insurance vertical, specializing in life insurance.
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Tony Steuer is a financial wellness advocate, podcaster and speaker, and the author of "Questions and Answers on Life Insurance." His advice has been featured in media outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Fast Company, Forbes and CNBC. He has a bachelor of science degree in finance from California State University and holds the following designations: Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Life and Disability Insurance Analyst (LA) and Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator (CPFFE).
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Nerdy takeawaysAs COVID-19 has become a part of our daily lives, you may be wondering if and how the condition can influence your life insurance coverage. The long-term health effects of COVID-19 may have an impact on life insurance, but the vaccine does not. You are likely still eligible for coverage even if you’ve had COVID-19 and the death benefit should be paid out regardless of vaccination status or cause of death.
The short answer is yes. Some insurers have stated that they are treating COVID-19 like any other illness. Most people who have recovered from COVID-19 without complications are eligible for life insurance with no issue. However, insurers use your current and past health records to determine eligibility and rates. So, any previous medical condition, including long-term complications you may have from COVID-19, can affect the cost and availability of coverage. Even if an insurer doesn't ask you about COVID-19 specifically, you'll need to provide details about any related conditions like heart conditions, blood clots or neurological symptoms.
If you don’t want your health taken into account when buying coverage, you can apply for guaranteed issue life insurance, which doesn't require any information about your health. But this type of life insurance comes with higher rates and lower coverage amounts.
If you currently have symptoms of COVID-19 or have tested positive for it, you likely won’t be able to get life insurance until after you’ve recovered. Once you’re better, you can apply for a policy.
Like other medical conditions, complications from long COVID may impact your eligibility and rates for life insurance. Long COVID can interfere with daily life and cause issues like brain fog, fatigue and shortness of breath, but it can also worsen or ignite other chronic conditions such as diabetes, blood clots and heart conditions.
During the life insurance underwriting process , you’ll typically complete a detailed questionnaire and medical exam to evaluate your overall health. Insurers base policies and premiums on several factors, including your medical history and current health.
Because the effects of long COVID are still new, each insurance company may handle it differently. If you have ongoing health impacts related to COVID-19, it’s a good idea to work with an experienced life insurance agent or broker who can help identify insurers and coverage to meet your needs and decrease your chances of being denied.
The COVID-19 vaccine doesn't affect an insurer’s decision to pay out claims. In addition, the vaccine typically isn't used to determine your eligibility for coverage. It may open up coverage for those with underlying health conditions, as the vaccine, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reduces the risk of dying from COVID-19 [0]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness. Accessed Sep 5, 2024.
During the pandemic, misinformation circulated online stating that life insurance claims would be denied for people who had received a COVID-19 vaccine. The American Council of Life Insurers and state insurance departments across the country have reassured customers that these reports are false. Your vaccination status does not impact whether or not your beneficiaries will receive the death benefit.
In almost all cases, life insurance covers COVID-19 and beneficiaries should receive the life insurance death benefit without any issue. However, a life insurance claim may be denied for other reasons worth noting:
Inaccurate or incomplete application. Claims can be denied if you didn't disclose certain information on your application, such as high-risk travel plans, or your true weight or income. This also includes lying about any COVID-related illnesses if asked. When filling out an application, take your time, be truthful and ask questions. If you die within the first two years of coverage, an insurer generally examines the claim and initial application more thoroughly. Still, a company can refuse to pay a claim if false information is found on the application even after the two-year life insurance contestability period ends.
Missed premium payments. If your policy lapses for nonpayment and you die, your beneficiary usually won’t receive a payout. When a premium payment is late, life insurance companies often offer a grace period, typically 30 days. Your coverage will continue as long as you pay the insurer during this time. In some cases, you can reinstate your policy if it lapses, but you may need to provide updated information on your health to do so.
Accidental death policies. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance , or AD&D, is designed to cover accidents. It doesn't pay out if you die of illness or injury. Sometimes AD&D coverage is added to a standard life insurance policy as a rider. In that case, the underlying traditional policy would still pay out for a death from COVID-19.
If a policyholder dies from COVID-19 or related conditions, the beneficiary will need to file a life insurance claim by following these steps:
Get multiple copies of the death certificate. Contact the policyholder’s agent or the insurance company for claim paperwork. Send in the required documents with a certified copy of the death certificate.After submitting a claim, the beneficiary can opt to receive payments in a lump sum or installments.
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Life insurance rates can vary dramatically depending on the type of coverage you buy and personal factors like your health, age and occupation. These types of life insurance may be good options for people who’ve had COVID-19:
Term life insurance offers coverage for a set amount of time, like 20 or 30 years, and usually provides the best value for most people. A medical exam may be required for the best rates, so wait until after you’ve recovered from COVID-19 to apply.
Whole life insurance is a permanent policy that typically lasts your entire life and builds cash value, but comes with significantly higher premiums than term policies.
Guaranteed issue life insurance doesn’t require a medical exam, but typically has higher premiums. Consider a guaranteed issue policy if you are unable to get approval with a medical exam due to ongoing effects from COVID.
Simplified issue life insurance requires a straightforward questionnaire, which may be a good option for those with lasting COVID symptoms or related conditions. It can be more expensive than term life insurance, though.
Group life insurance is often available through an employer and skips both the medical exam and health questionnaire.
Once you determine what type of life insurance is right for you and how much coverage you need , compare life insurance quotes to find your best rate.
If you have long COVID, working with an agent or broker to compare companies and rates can help you find an insurer that is most likely to approve coverage based on your history and needs.
