Epilepsy Life Insurance Underwriting

Epilepsy or otherwise know as a (seizure disorder) is a neurological disorder resulting from abnormal electrical activity of the
brain.

There are basically two types of Epilepsy acquired or idiopathic. Epilepsy is termed idiopathic if there is no evidence of an organic brain lesion. Some of the most common causes that contribute to acquired epilepsy include: genetic and birth factors, infection, toxins, alcohol withdrawal, trauma, circulatory disorders, metabolic disorders, tumors and degenerative disease.

There are a number of drugs and treatments that can help control the seizures. With good compliance with your Doctor many people can control the seizures, if you have been seizure free for over a period of years it may be possible to discontinue the drugs with your Doctors oversight.

When it comes to Epilepsy Life Insurance Underwriting and ratings it all depends on the Insurance Company and their Underwriting guidelines. Some companies are more lenient than others. You should shop around for the best rate and use a good Life Insurance Broker or Agent to help you find the right policy that meets your planning needs.

Here is a general guide of what some Life Insurance Companies may look for and how they may rate your policy, again this will vary by company.

What are the factors that may affect the underwriting decision:

• Age of onset
• Compliance with Doctor and medication
• Control of any and all seizures and the recent episodes
• Current and past alcohol use
• Other health issues that you currently have may also affect underwriting

What the Life Insurance Underwriters will need to know and ask:

Doctors records or Attending Physicians Statements

• Age of diagnosis
• Duration of and History of the health issue
• Date of last seizure and how many in your history

What you may expect in an Life Insurance Underwriting Offer:

• Three years plus since diagnosis no seizures in the last year: Possible Standard to Preferred
• One to three years since diagnosis, 3 or less seizures per year: Possible Standard to table 2
• Of course a decline is poor compliance with medication and alcohol use, see below for more details.

Episode within 6 months: most likely a postpone until more follow up
Episode within 2 years: Possible rating of table 4 - 5
Episode 3 years or longer: Possible rating of table 2- 4
No Episode's within last 5 years: Possible Standard rate class or no rating
Any personality or mental issues: Probable Decline or Postpone

Again this is simply a guide to help you understand that with any health issue you must build a case for the Life Insurance Carrier to underwrite your file. Provide them with all the information you have and please make sure you are compliant with your Doctors recommendations for treatment.

With modern medicine these days you may be surprised how far the life insurance industry has come to help people that suffer from chronic health issues.

Find out more about substandard - impaired risk life insurance.