Last Updated: February 2021
Getting life insurance with testicular cancer is very doable and at very affordable rates under certain conditions. This article will hopefully give you some guidance on the application and underwriting process of buying a policy with testicular cancer.
While it is definitely considered high-risk life insurance, we have experience helping individuals with testicular cancer and want to share what we know on this topic with you.
More specifically, I want to break down the process of obtaining life insurance with testicular cancer in the following manner:
- Can You Get Life Insurance with Testicular Cancer?
- Facts about Testicular Cancer and Underwriting
- What Life Insurance Rates to Expect with Testicular Cancer
- How to Apply for Life Insurance with Testicular Cancer
Life Insurance is Boring. Let’s Get To The Root Of It! Here are the key takeaways…
You can be approved for life insurance with testicular cancer based on what stage testicular cancer you had. If you had a more advanced stage of testicular cancer, you may need to postpone your application or be asked to pay a flat extra charge for your coverage.
Can You Get Life Insurance with Testicular Cancer?
Yes, you can obtain life insurance with testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in young men, age 15 to 35.
With that said, many testicular cancer survivors, unfortunately, believe that they are uninsurable.
That is simply not true.
Fortunately, mortality rates are improving due to huge advancements in treatment. Some life insurance companies are giving fantastic approvals, you just need to use the right company.
We’ve helped dozens of our clients secure life insurance with cancer at very affordable rates.
We have many reviews available such as our AARP Life Insurance Review or our State Farm Life Insurance Review to help you in making the best decision for you and your family.
Whether you are looking for a $100,000 insurance policy or a million-dollar life insurance policy, let us answer your questions and help you to obtain the coverage you deserve.
Facts about Testicular Cancer and Underwriting
Germ cell cancers account for 95% of testicular cancer and can be subdivided into seminoma and nonseminoma. Non-germ cell cancers, such as lymphoma, account for the other 5% and can be from several different cell types.
Germ cell cancers are more favorable to life insurance insurers.
Tumor markers for testicular cancer are AFP (alpha fetoprotein) and hCG (human chorionicgonadotropin). The best use of these tumor markers is for the early detection of cancer relapse. Life insurance underwriters will be looking at these closely.
Removal of the testicle (orchiectomy) is the initial treatment for testicular cancer.
Those with early seminomas are treated with radiation. Advanced seminomas and nonseminomas are treated with chemotherapy. Again, life insurance underwriters will factor this into their rates.
Questions Life Insurance Companies Ask About Testicular Cancer
If you’re looking to secure life insurance with testicular cancer, you’ll need to provide your agent with the following information:
- When were you first diagnosed?
- How was the cancer treated?
- When was the treatment completed?
- Are you on any medications?
- What stage was the cancer?
- Has there been any evidence of a recurrence?
- When was the most recent AFP or hCG test and what was the result?
- Any other health issues? (do you need life insurance for diabetics?)
Being as detailed and honest as possible will result in better rates for you. If you can provide us a copy of your pathology report, that would be best (although not required).
As your “independent” life insurance agent, our loyalty is to you, the client, not the carrier we apply with.
The more information we have going into underwriting, the more effective we can be in our presentation of your risk in the most favorable light possible.
Underwriters will uncover all information in your medical exam and medical records from your doctor, oncologist, urologist, or any other specialist you’ve seen.
So please be as open with us as possible.
What Life Insurance Rates to Expect with Testicular Cancer
You will be considered a substandard risk even immediately following successful treatment.
- Stage I cancer applicants in remission can be considered for life insurance as soon as treatment has been completed. Standard rates are available in some situations.
- Stage II testicular cancer will need to be postponed for up to two years following treatments. Then a temporary flat extra for 3 years.
- Stage III will be postponed 4 years, with a temporary flat extra for up to 5 years.
There are no medical exam “graded” life insurance policies available that have a 2 year waiting period for those looking for less than $50,000 of life insurance coverage.
If you’re within the first few years of being cancer-free, look into the life insurance offerings of your employer or even the benefits of your spouse’s company.
Most people can’t afford the policy when a flat extra is involved, so these options are worth looking into.
If you have a current policy that’s expiring, renew it until this time period passes (if it makes sense financially of course).
Types of Life Insurance Available for People With Testicular Cancer
If you are asked to postpone your application for life insurance due to testicular cancer, it is important that you consider other options for coverage.
This can certainly include guaranteed issue life insurance.
These policies will accept you regardless of the testicular cancer diagnosis and still allow you to get some coverage in place while waiting for the opportunity to apply for traditional coverage.
Consider companies such as Gerber Life Insurance for this coverage.
They offer competitive rates and have an extremely streamlined process.
How to Apply for Life Insurance with Testicular Cancer
If you have had testicular cancer and are looking to obtain the lowest life insurance premiums, then you need to be working with an agency experienced in underwriting your risk.
Our experience after the diagnosis of testicular cancer has to be among the top of our industry. We know which life insurers are the most aggressive and providing the best rates. Trying to figure out which companies are on your own can be difficult and time-consuming, but that’s where we can help.
Reach out to us via phone call or the contact form if you have any concerns about getting coverage with your testicular cancer.
As long as the prognosis is good and you’ve had regular follow-up appointments, we’ll be able to insure you with some excellent rates, especially if it’s been over 5 years since you received the “all-clear” from your doctors.
Also, be sure to check out our other guides below to learn more about how different types of cancer can affect life insurance approval and rates.
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