Does life insurance cover pandemics?
Yes, traditional life insurance policies you purchased before a pandemic can cover a pandemic-related death. If you die during a global pandemic, your beneficiaries can file a claim for your death benefit, if your policy is active when you pass away. It's also possible to purchase life insurance during a pandemic, even if you've had an infectious disease like COVID-19. Complications from the virus might affect your premium and policy options, but if you're in good health, you'll likely qualify for an affordable policy.
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Key takeaways
Traditional life insurance policies don't exclude pandemics, so your beneficiaries may receive the death benefit if you die from a global pandemic
Pre-existing conditions and long-term effects from a pandemic-related infectious disease may affect your rate and policy options
Can I purchase life insurance in a pandemic?
Yes, you can purchase life insurance during a pandemic. However, a pandemic may increase the general population's interest in various types of life insurance — like it did during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you intend to purchase a life insurance policy during a pandemic, be aware of the potential for longer underwriting timelines due to increased demand.
Why would an insurer deny a claim in a pandemic?
Insurers rarely deny life insurance claims, but it may happen in some situations:
- Your policy excludes pandemics or certain infectious diseases
- You failed to disclose relevant health information
- You submitted fraudulent medical records
- Your death occurred within the contestability period
The contestability period lasts for two years from the policy start date. It acts as a waiting period during which insurance companies may investigate issues and potentially deny claims. If you die during the contestability period, the insurer may look closely at your health records and cause of death to rule out fraud. If they find evidence of fraud, they may deny the claim.
Pro tip:
Be honest during your life insurance medical exam, as lying or withholding information could result in life insurance fraud and your insurer nullifying your policy.
Do vaccinations impact payout?
Be wary of myths regarding life insurance and the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine doesn't disqualify you from receiving life insurance or a claim payout.
Does life insurance cover long-term pandemic effects, like pre-existing or new conditions?
Life insurance coverage doesn't work like health insurance coverage. Life insurance pays a one-time death benefit if you die while your policy is active. It doesn't pay for you to live with the long-term effects from a pandemic-related infectious disease.
In general, ongoing health issues may make it harder to qualify for life insurance. If you have pre-existing conditions or develop long-haul symptoms from a disease like COVID-19 or H1N1, this may affect whether you're approved for a life insurance policy. Pre-existing conditions may also affect how much life insurance coverage you qualify for and how much you pay for it.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), standard life insurance policies don't exclude pandemics. Once your life insurance policy is active, it pays out if you die from a pandemic illness like COVID-19 or related long-term health problems — as long as you're honest on your application and no other exclusions apply, like fraud.
You can get a one-year life insurance policy in just minutes, without taking a medical exam. Get a short-term life insurance quote today.
Is it difficult to get life insurance during a pandemic?
With quotes online and over the phone, the process of starting a life insurance policy can be quick and straightforward. During a pandemic, you can still easily get a life insurance quote and compare your options. Insurers may pause in-person medical exams to avoid contact during the process, depending on current public health guidelines.
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