Last Updated: March 2021
This article is for those searching for life insurance with bundle branch block as a pre-existing condition.
We have years of experience helping people with bundle branch blocks (BBB) obtain life insurance policies at rates they can actually afford.
In this article, we will cover the underwriting process for bundle branch block, possible table ratings to expect, how to apply, and more:
- Can You Get Life Insurance with Bundle Branch Block?
- What Causes Bundle Branch Block?
- Underwriting: What Life Insurance Companies Will Ask About Your Bundle Branch Block
- How to Apply for Life Insurance with Bundle Branch Block
Life Insurance is Boring. Let’s Get To The Root Of It! Here are the key takeaways…
It is possible to obtain life insurance with bundle branch block. To be approved for coverage, it will depend on how long you have had bundle branch block, in addition to other underlying health conditions that can often be present with bundle branch block.
Can You Get Life Insurance with Bundle Branch Block?
Yes, you absolutely can. Comparing quotes from different carriers and using an independent life insurance agent is the best way to find the lowest rates for your current needs.
When you apply for life insurance with bundle branch block (BBB), you will first need to get all of your documentation for your BBB in order, and then it will be a process of shopping for different companies. You will want to find the company that will view your risk the most favorably.
This does not necessarily mean that you need every medical record possible about your BBB, but it does mean that you can provide accurate information about your timeline and history with BBB.
Currently, you will want to look towards companies offering fully-underwritten life insurance policies which, unfortunately, do require you to take a medical exam.
Additionally, depending on your exact status of your BBB, you should be expecting your rates to be slightly higher with BBB compared to someone who is otherwise healthy. Sometimes, quite a bit higher.
What Causes Bundle Branch Block?
There are many causes of BBB, but the most common one is coronary artery disease (50%).
Other causes include cardiomyopathy, hypertension, tumors, fibrosis (scarring) of the conduction fibers, congenital lesions, trauma, and aortic stenosis.
However, BBB can also occur in a heart that has no obvious abnormalities.
Life insurance underwriters will factor in these underlying causes as well.
Underwriting: What Life Insurance Companies Will Ask About Your Bundle Branch Block
For people applying for life insurance with bundle branch block, we’ll need the following information in order to provide an accurate rate:
- What type of bundle branch block is present?
- How long has it been present?
- Have you shown any recent changes in the ECG?
- Do you have chest pain, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, congenital heart disease, or valvular heart disease?
- Have any cardiac studies been completed?
- Are you on medication?
We’ll need details for all of the above questions in order to provide accurate rates.
The more information you can provide the more accurate rates we can provide. Remember, we’re on your side, so be as upfront as possible.
Possible Table Ratings with BBB
In order to get “Standard” life insurance rates, your bundle branch block will need to be an isolated finding with no known heart disease or history of changing ECG pattern of:
- Incomplete right bundle branch block (IRBBB)
- Complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) – excluding Sarcoidosis
- Left anterior or posterior hemiblock (LAHB or LPHB)
However, if you have a complete left or right bundle branch block, you’re looking at a substandard rating, starting at Table B.
If combined with other issues, it can be higher. If you’re stable for 6 years with no other cardiovascular impairments and a normal current thallium stress test, then you can obtain “Standard” rates without a rating.
If you’re looking for “no exam” life insurance with bundle branch block, it’s available for limited amounts of whole life insurance if you’re over the age of 50.
Currently, there aren’t any no medical exam term life insurance carriers that are offering coverage for those with BBB. You will have to take a medical exam if you want term coverage.
Since every life insurance company will perceive your risk differently, it is essential to work with an agent that has experience working with people who have bundle branch block or other heart problems.
The key to finding the best life insurance rates with bundle branch block is finding the company that looks most favorably at your specific risk.
What if You are Declined Life Insurance Coverage with Bundle Branch Block?
With BBB or any health condition for that matter, you always have a chance at being declined for life insurance coverage.
Reputable agencies that specialize in high risk life insurance are certainly capable of helping you with your unique circumstances and BBB, but sometimes, when you include all other health problems in addition to BBB, you may struggle to get approved or to find affordable rates.
If this happens to be the situation you’re currently facing, be sure to consider other options for coverage such as guaranteed issue life insurance or even accidental death life insurance.
These types of policies do not require a health background to be completed in order to qualify.
However, coverage amounts available are much smaller and other stipulations do apply.
How to Apply for Life Insurance with Bundle Branch Block
Life insurance with BBB is not overly difficult to obtain but you should understand that it is a process, a qualified high-risk life insurance agent can help you but you will need to have some patience when going through the process.
Sometimes the first life insurance company that presents you with an offer for coverage is not the company you should choose. This may mean applying with several companies and allow the companies to compete for your business.
It may also mean a little more back and forth may need to take place retrieving information for the life insurance underwriters or obtaining certain medical records or information from your primary care physician.
If you enter the process understanding this and can get all your information in order, the process is going to be much more streamlined and comfortable for you to complete.
At Rootfin, we have plenty of experience with this risk and can help you obtain the lowest rates on your life insurance due to our knowledge of the market and access to over 60 life insurance carriers.
If you’re in the market for life insurance with bundle branch block, please don’t hesitate to call us for quotes.
Also, be sure to check out our other guides below to learn more about how different types of heart conditions can affect life insurance approval and rates:
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