Life Insurance and Hepatitis: Background
Can You Get Life Insurance with Hepatitis?
Do Life Insurance Companies Test for Hepatitis?
Does Hepatitis Affect Life Insurance Rates, and How?
What Life Insurance Types Can You Get with Hepatitis?
What is the Best Life Insurance for People with Hepatitis?
Hepatitis is a serious liver disease that can have different causes, including viral infections, alcohol abuse, and drug toxicity. In Canada, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B and C.
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious viral infection that can spread through contaminated food or water, or close contact with an infected person. In Canada, hepatitis A is relatively rare and cases have declined in recent years.
In the long run, Hepatitis B and C can lead to severe complications such as cirrhosis or cancer if not treated properly. They are viral infections that can be transmitted through various means including sharing needles or equipment for drug injection, contact with infected blood or from mother to child during childbirth.
Hepatitis B is more prevalent in particular populations such as individuals with a drug dependency and those born in countries where the virus is endemic. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there were 4,336 reported cases of hepatitis B in Canada in 2019.
However, the major of concern in Canada is Hepatitis C. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there were 22,358 reported cases of hepatitis C in Canada in 2019.
Having hepatitis can impact your life insurance application. Let’s explore this issue to understand the various options available for those with hepatitis who are also seeking life insurance coverage.
So, how can you get life insurance if you have hepatitis A, B or C? This can make it more challenging to obtain coverage if you are considered high risk. Accurate and detailed information on the application is very important and an Attending Physician Statement (APS), blood profile, screening and other evidence may be required.
While each application is different, generally you will have to provide the following information:
Based on this information, the insurance company will assess the individual’s risk level and determine the premium rates and coverage options.
Hepatitis C is largely considered uninsurable by traditional underwriting (guaranteed issue or simplified issue are options). However, coverage for individuals with A or B is possible, even at standard ratings.
Thankfully, no-medical life insurance is available for the majority of individuals with hepatitis. There are two types of such policies: simplified issue policies that feature a questionnaire without a medical exam and guaranteed issue policies that require neither a questionnaire nor a medical exam.
In Canada, life insurance companies may ask applicants to go through a medical examination, including blood tests to screen for different health conditions, including hepatitis. The type of tests required during the exam depends on both the insurance company and the applicant’s medical records. Some insurance providers have hepatitis B and C blood tests as part of their regular medical exam protocols, while others only request testing for individuals with known risk factors such as a history of intravenous drug use or travel to risky regions.
A positive test result doesn’t necessarily mean denial of coverage, as many other factors are considered.
The chart below shows how three Canadian underwriters typically treat life insurance when it comes to the different kinds of hepatitis.
| Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Hepatitis C | |
| Insurer A | 3 months after the infection, completely resolved: standard | Symptomatic: decline Asymptomatic: depends on liver enzymes level, presence of liver fibrosis and duration of the disease: standard to decline | Symptomatic: decline Asymptomatic: depends on liver enzymes level, presence of liver fibrosis and duration of the disease: standard to decline |
| Insurer B | If complete recovery, may be considered standard risk. | Carriers with no active disease and acute hepatitis B, recovered with normal liver function tests, may be considered with small rating. Decision for chronic hepatitis B may vary from a rating of 175% to a decline. | May be considered if asymptomatic; however, most cases will be offered with a rating of 175% or higher. These cases are also frequently considered uninsurable. |
| Insurer C | Currently infected: Decline After full recovery: Standard to $5.00 per $1,000/2 years (depending on number of attacks, time elapsed since last attack and severity). | Positive HBsAg: — Acute infection (less than 6 months since diagnosis): Postpone Chronic infection/hepatitis B carrier: — Normal liver function test and other follow-up tests: Standard — Otherwise: Standard to decline Negative HBsAg: — Normal liver function test and other follow-up tests: Standard — Otherwise: Standard to decline | Generally decline. Possible offer in cases that are treated, followed up regularly by a gastroenterologist or hepatologist and confirmed to be cured with tests showing recovery and no complications. |
Depending on the details of your case and your health, this chart shows the most likely options.
| Insurance Type | Medical Exam | Detailed Medical Questionnaire | Short Questionnaire | Coverage Limits | Important to Know |
| 1. Traditional, Medically Underwritten Life Insurance with PREFERRED RATES | Yes | Yes | No | $5,000,000+ | Is not available |
| 2. Traditional, Medically Underwritten Life Insurance with STANDARD RATES | Yes | Yes | No | $5,000,000+ | Only in best cases e.g., more than 3 months after the infection, completely resolved |
| 3. Traditional, Medically Underwritten Life Insurance WITHOUT A MEDICAL EXAM | No | Yes | No | $5,000,000+ | Is not available |
| 4. Traditional, Medically Underwritten RATED Life Insurance | Yes | Yes | No | $5,000,000+ | This is the most likely option for people with hepatitis A or B. |
| 5. Simplified Issue Life Insurance | No | No | Yes | $1,000,000 | Most questionnaires will have health-related questions that will ask about your hepatitis status. You might be able to qualify but expect the rates to be high. |
| 6. Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance | No | No | No | $25,000 | Anyone can qualify for this one – it does not matter what stage of hepatitis you have. However, guaranteed issue insurance does not pay claims in the first two years if the applicant passes away from illness. In this case, the premiums are returned to the beneficiary. |
Working with a broker can help you find the optimal plan and enhance your chances of approval. This is because brokers can search the market on your behalf and are not obligated to promote the offerings of a single company. Prior to commencing an application, the broker may reach out to the insurance company by email to inquire about the likelihood of your approval or denial. Additionally, brokers furnish you with an application that aligns with your unique circumstances and maximizes your probability of success.
If you are on the lookout for life insurance policies in Canada, it is worth considering Manulife, SSQ Life Insurance, Empire Life, Canada Life, and Assumption Life. Most of these companies implement rating systems or offer simplified or guaranteed issue policies. Be sure to connect with a broker who can help tailor policies based on your requirements. Our expert brokers are available to assist you. To initiate the process, please fill out the quote request form on the right-hand side of your screen.
