Last Updated: March 2021
Are you or a loved one looking for life insurance with autism, Asperger syndrome, or ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)?
While any diagnosis on the autism spectrum falls under high-risk life insurance, it is still possible to obtain coverage if you know where to look.
We have years of experience helping people with autism to obtain life insurance at rates they can afford. We don’t feel that a disorder should be a reason that prices people out of obtaining life insurance. It’s all about finding the right company that can work with your specific condition.
In this article, we will cover what underwriters will need to know, coverage options, and how to apply.
- Can You Get Life Insurance with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, or ASD?
- Underwriting: What Life Insurance Companies Will Ask About Your Autism Diagnosis
- Consider Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance as an Option for People with Autism or ASD
- How to Apply for Life Insurance for People with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, or ASD
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 autism or ASD. To be approved for life insurance, you will want to show the underwriters that other health factors are not present such as seizures or cerebral palsy. It is also important that you are capable of performing all everyday living activities on your own to be approved.
Can You Get Life Insurance with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, or ASD?
Yes, you can!
Both autism and Asperger’s are Pervasive Development Disorders (PDD), both marked by impaired social interaction with others. Both also exhibit restrictive behaviors in relation to activities or interests.
The difference, however, is that people with autism tend to have higher intellectual disabilities, while the intellectual ability is typically normal with Asperger’s patients.
Asperger syndrome is actually not a diagnosis that is given anymore. It became part of the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2013 (Source: www.autismspeaks.org).
The key to finding life insurance for someone with an ASD diagnosis is to use an independent life insurance agent who can find the right company for your situation, and compare multiple companies and rates before purchasing a policy.
Underwriting: What Life Insurance Companies Will Ask About Your Autism Diagnosis
When applying for life insurance with autism, Asperger’s, or ASD, you will have to go through a more lengthy underwriting process, compared to what the average person would normally have to go through.
Some of the questions you might be asked about include:
- Is cerebral palsy present?
- Is there a history of seizures?
- Are ADL’s (daily living activities) appropriate for age?
Bear in mind, depending on the underwriter you are working with, there may be many more questions that get asked, but those are the more common questions that are asked of people who are applying for life insurance with autism.
Autism Does Not Automatically Decline You for Coverage
The good news is that having autism or Asperger’s, unlike some of the other PDD’s out there, won’t cause you to be automatically declined in any circumstance. You will always be given a fair chance to go through the underwriting process, whereas some other PDD-afflicted applicants will be denied immediately due to the severity of their condition.
If there is no cerebral palsy present and there is no history of seizures, then you will be viewed more favorably by your underwriter.
Also, if the applicant is at an age-appropriate level with their ADL’s, they also will be viewed favorably. This means that adults with autism should be able to take care of their daily hygiene routine 100% on their own. If adults still need assistance with these tasks in any way, then they won’t qualify for being age-appropriate with their ADL’s.
Another important thing to consider is that different insurance companies have different ways of looking at your condition.
Our job is to help you get in contact with the companies that have experience working with people who have your condition and can still see you favorably despite your situation. We have worked with hundreds of people with various mental health conditions to find the right life insurance policy at the right price.
Consider Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance as an Option for People with Autism or ASD
As always, one of the last options you can consider is guaranteed acceptance life insurance.
This is always the best course of action if you have already been declined for life insurance and worked with an independent life insurance agent.
Guaranteed acceptance life insurance will not use your autism diagnosis against you.
No medical exam is required, but in exchange for your easy approval, you will not have your coverage fully active for the first two years of the policy. This is referred to as the graded benefit period.
Once this time has elapsed with most guaranteed acceptance life insurance providers, you will have coverage fully active and in force just like any other life insurance policy.
Some great companies to consider for this coverage include options such as the following:
- American General Life (AIG)
- Gerber Life Insurance
- Great Western Life Insurance
How to Apply for Life Insurance for People with Autism, Asperger Syndrome, or ASD
Lots of our clients have gone to a company like SelectQuote or Zander Insurance only to find that they received expensive rates or even declined. The truth is, these companies are staffed by new life insurance agents that don’t have the experience and knowledge it takes to work higher-risk cases.
This makes it imperative to always consider coverage with an independent life insurance agent with experience working with autism and ASD. This will give you the option to compare rates with all companies and life insurance companies that favor this condition more than others.
Don’t let applying for life insurance with autism or ASD hold you back. You can obtain the protection you need and deserve.
Contact us and let us find the perfect company for you, the one that will give you a life insurance policy but won’t break the bank in the process.
Also, be sure to check out our other guides below to learn more about how different types of mental health conditions can affect life insurance approval and rates:
I’m looking for life insurance for my son who found out that he has ASD at age 19 is now healthier than he has ever been learning disabilities and social issues are being treated. He is doing great and I am sooo proud of him. He is now about to finish 2nd year of college. I can’t seem to find life insurance for him which is important because funeral homes won’t release the bodies to have a service without being paid up front. Our church has been raising funds for families to pay to get their family members 🙁 so now i’m looking for life ins so we won’t have this problem if ever needed. thanks for your time
Hi Tammy,
We’ve been in contact and I’m happy that we’re able to help you.