next »

[soymilk]

This really rots--my beloved 49 y.o. sister has breast cancer. In addition to the other stresses this news brings for her and for me, I'm right in the middle of the application for a 20 year level term life insurance policy. The process is in underwriting right now. I applied for a temporary policy to bridge the gap (my old policy expired Thursday) but they are dragging their feet on issuing both the temporary and 20 year term policy. So, currently, I only have a small policy from work. I intend to stay alive in the meantime :).
  On Friday I went for my mammogram. I have been on an every other year schedule (they said I was "low risk" because my mom's breast cancer was after age 60). Due to the now-increased risk from my sister's diagnosis, I'm on at least an annual schedule now (I have not yet discussed with my OB/GYN, but there is no way I will do every other year now!).
  The life insurance company knows about my mom's breast Ca, but nothing about my sister's status (the questions about family history were asked prior to the news of her diagnosis). I refused to answer any family history questions on the mammogram questionnaire. They said that leaving this out would not impact the reading of my scan.
My sister is being tested for BrAC1 right now, in addition to a zillion other tests. I asked my mom to do the test a few months ago, but Medicare would not pay for it, even though her mom had ovarian Ca.
  I can wait on the BRAC1 test for myself. I am  just wondering of the implications for approval for life insurance if I get an abnormal scan. There is some kind of stipulation in the application about a 2 year period after I get the insurance when they can still review my records to see if I mis-stated anything. I think I'm OK, but I could use some re-assurance. As you may know, life insurance is  not covered by the HIPPA law.

[zuzu_]

You may have done this already, but you should check with HR to be sure there aren't any additional options through there. I say this because my job recently gave everyone the option to add $150K (on top of our free $50K) for only a very small monthly payment (like $8) with no questions asked. One of my friends with a history of cancer was particularly psyched.

[clean]

Good luck on your tests. 

I could be wrong, but it seems like there are 2 issues here.  You are concerned about your sister, and on an independent issue, the insurance company is dragging their feet for some unrelated reason. 

I dont know you, so Ill ask some questions to determine if you need insurance.  Do you have a spouse or dependent children?  (Does anyone depend on your income for support?)  As a single guy with no children or anyone dependent on my income, I only have the small policies through my work.  My parents are the beneficiaries and I suspect that should I predecease my parents, my niece and nephew would get the cash.

I AM the 'rich uncle' you hear about when youngins say, "My rich uncle died and left me a bunch of money". 

Anyway, the point is that you need to worry about your health and not so much about the insurance.  As you dont plan to die in the next few years anyway (over 2 for sure), worry about staying healthy!

[soymilk]

I definitely need life insurance, and lots of it. I am the primary breadwinner in my family. My spouse's income by itself would put us close to the poverty level with two kids.