Reader question:

Why can’t I get term life insurance coverage with terminal cancer?

Amy

Thank you for asking, Amy.

Over a million people every year are diagnosed with some form of cancer in the United States. At the same time, over half a million people die of some form of cancer. It is a risky disease, and the doomed prospects facing those who have terminal cancer scares most life insurance companies away. After all, they don’t want to insure you for $300,000 if you have only 2 years to live and will only be paying $500 a month (which is pretty high for life insurance). They would lose a lot of money if they did that with everyone.

There are some types of cancer which might give you more of a chance to get term life insurance coverage with terminal cancer than others do. This is because these types tend to end in total recovery more often than others, and these include some kinds of breast and prostrate cancer. If you go into remission, you may even be able to get the regular rates with these.

Others, though, such as colon cancer or leukemia, pretty much preclude you of getting any kind of term life insurance coverage with terminal cancer at all. Speak with a broker first to see if a company which will insure you can be located.

take care,

Fashun