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Living with COPD or emphysema doesn’t automatically disqualify you from life insurance — but it can affect your options and rates. Insurers look closely at your diagnosis, treatment, and overall health to decide your eligibility. The good news: many people with mild or moderate COPD can still get affordable coverage.
👉 For a bigger picture of how medical conditions impact coverage, see The Ultimate Guide to Life Insurance Approval.
🔹 What Insurers Consider
When reviewing an application, life insurance companies look closely at:
- Severity of your COPD (mild, moderate, severe).
- Oxygen use (current use often leads to a decline, while past use can be reconsidered later).
- Smoking history (whether you currently smoke, how much, and how recently you quit).
- Hospitalizations or ER visits for COPD flare-ups in the past 2 years.
- Other lung conditions such as asthma or chronic bronchitis.
- Age at diagnosis and how long you’ve been stable.
🔹 What You Can Expect
- Mild COPD / Emphysema: If you’re stable, not on oxygen, and a non-smoker, standard or slightly substandard rates may be possible.
- Moderate COPD: Expect higher premiums, sometimes called “table ratings.”
- Severe COPD or oxygen use: Most traditional carriers will decline, but guaranteed issue or simplified issue policies may still be available.
- Non-smokers: Quitting smoking (and staying tobacco-free for 12–24 months) can make a dramatic difference in approvals and pricing.
🔹 Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Work with an independent broker who knows which carriers are COPD-friendly.
- Provide detailed medical records, including pulmonary function test results.
- Show stability (no recent hospitalizations, consistent medication use).
- Highlight lifestyle improvements such as exercise, healthy weight, and smoking cessation.
🔹 Bottom Line
COPD and emphysema make life insurance more challenging, but coverage is still possible — especially if your condition is mild, well-controlled, and you’ve quit smoking. Even in severe cases, there are guaranteed issue options designed to provide some protection for your loved ones.
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💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get life insurance if you have COPD?
Yes. Many people with mild or moderate COPD can still qualify for life insurance — especially if their condition is stable and they don’t currently require oxygen therapy.
Does emphysema affect life insurance the same way as COPD?
Generally, yes. Insurers treat emphysema as a form of COPD, so the severity of your symptoms and medical stability will determine your eligibility and rates.
Will using oxygen disqualify me from coverage?
Current oxygen use often limits traditional policy options, but guaranteed issue or simplified issue plans are still available with no medical exam required.
Can quitting smoking improve my life insurance rates?
Absolutely. Most insurers will reconsider your application after 12–24 months of being tobacco-free, often resulting in much better premiums.
What type of life insurance is best for someone with COPD?
If your condition is mild, term life insurance may still be an option. For moderate or severe cases, guaranteed issue or final-expense whole life policies are often the best fit.
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