Quick Answer: Yes, you can get life insurance with a cardiac arrhythmia, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). Many people with well-controlled arrhythmias qualify for standard rates, while others may pay slightly higher premiums depending on their specific condition. After 30+ years helping clients with heart conditions, we’ve found that working with an independent agent who knows which carriers are AFib-friendly makes all the difference.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia, you’re probably wondering whether life insurance is even possible. Maybe you’ve heard horror stories about automatic denials or sky-high premiums. We get it. Heart conditions sound scary to insurance companies.
Here’s the truth: most people with arrhythmias do get approved for coverage. The key is understanding how underwriters evaluate your specific situation and finding a carrier that’s comfortable with your type of arrhythmia. We help clients with AFib, PVCs, and other heart rhythm issues get coverage every week. Let’s walk through what you need to know.
What Is a Cardiac Arrhythmia?
A cardiac arrhythmia is any irregular heartbeat. Your heart might beat too fast, too slow, or with an uneven rhythm. Some arrhythmias are harmless and don’t require treatment. Others need medication or procedures to manage. For more clinical details, the American Heart Association provides comprehensive medical information.
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The most common types include:
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – The upper chambers of your heart quiver instead of beating normally. This is the most common arrhythmia and the one we see most often in life insurance applications.
- Atrial flutter – Similar to AFib but with a more regular pattern. Often treated the same way by underwriters.
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) – Extra heartbeats that start in the lower chambers. Very common and usually harmless.
- Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) – Episodes of rapid heartbeat that start above the ventricles. Often manageable with treatment.
- Bradycardia – A slower than normal heart rate. May require a pacemaker in some cases.
- Ventricular tachycardia – Rapid heartbeat starting in the ventricles. This one gets more scrutiny from underwriters.
Why does the type matter? Insurance companies view each arrhythmia differently based on its associated risks. AFib with a well-controlled heart rate is much easier to insure than ventricular tachycardia with frequent episodes.
How Underwriters Evaluate Arrhythmia Cases
When you apply for life insurance with an arrhythmia, the underwriter wants to answer one question: How likely is this condition to affect your lifespan?
They’ll look at several factors to make that determination.
Your diagnosis and type of arrhythmia. A benign PVC discovered during a routine physical is very different from AFib that’s caused a stroke. The specific diagnosis matters enormously.
When you were diagnosed. Someone who’s had stable AFib for ten years presents less uncertainty than someone diagnosed six months ago. Underwriters like to see a track record.
Your symptoms and their severity. Do you experience chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath? Or is your arrhythmia essentially asymptomatic? Fewer symptoms generally means better rates.
Your treatment and compliance. Are you taking your medications as prescribed? Have you had an ablation procedure? Do you see your cardiologist regularly? Insurance companies want to see that you’re managing your condition responsibly.
Any related complications. Has your arrhythmia led to a stroke, blood clots, or heart failure? Complications signal higher risk and will affect your rate class.
Your overall cardiovascular health. Blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, smoking status, and other heart-related factors all play a role in the final decision. If you also have hypertension, see our guide on life insurance with high blood pressure.
What Rate Class Can You Expect?
We’ll be honest with you. If you have a cardiac arrhythmia, you probably won’t qualify for the very best “preferred plus” rates that go to people with perfect health. But that doesn’t mean you’ll pay through the roof either.
Here’s what we typically see based on 30+ years of placing these cases:
Mild, well-controlled arrhythmias (like occasional PVCs or stable AFib with no complications) often qualify for Standard or Standard Plus rates. This is the same rate class many people without heart conditions receive.
Moderate cases (AFib requiring blood thinners, history of cardioversion, or mild symptoms) usually receive a Table B to Table D rating. You’ll pay more than standard rates, but coverage is absolutely obtainable.
More complex situations (multiple cardioversions, ablation procedures, or AFib with other heart conditions) may receive higher table ratings or require specialized carriers. This is where working with an experienced agent really pays off.
Recent diagnoses sometimes get postponed for 6-12 months until underwriters can see how treatment is working. If this happens, don’t panic. It’s not a denial, just a “let’s wait and see.”
The good news? Even if you start with a higher rating, many carriers will reconsider your rate class after a year or two of stable health. We’ve helped plenty of clients get their premiums reduced once they demonstrated good control of their condition.
Questions Underwriters Will Ask
When we prepare your application, we’ll need detailed information about your arrhythmia. Being thorough upfront helps us match you with the right carrier and avoid surprises during underwriting.
Expect questions about:
Your diagnosis history. When were you first diagnosed? How was the arrhythmia discovered? Was it found during a routine exam or because you had symptoms?
Your current symptoms. Do you experience palpitations, dizziness, chest discomfort, fatigue, or fainting? How often do symptoms occur? Have they improved with treatment?
Your treatment regimen. What medications are you taking? Have you had any procedures like cardioversion, ablation, or pacemaker implantation? Are you on blood thinners?
Your test results. When was your last EKG or echocardiogram? What did the results show? Underwriters love recent test results that demonstrate stable heart function.
Your follow-up care. How often do you see your cardiologist? Are you following their recommendations? Any upcoming procedures or changes to your treatment plan?
Related health factors. Do you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea? Do you smoke or have you ever smoked? What’s your current weight?
Don’t worry if this sounds like a lot. We’ll walk you through everything and help you gather what’s needed. The more complete your information, the faster and smoother the underwriting process goes.
Tips for Getting the Best Rates
After helping thousands of clients with heart conditions get coverage, we’ve learned what works. Here are our top recommendations:
Get your records in order. Request copies of recent EKGs, echocardiograms, and cardiology notes before applying. Having these ready speeds up the process considerably.
Stay current with your cardiologist. If it’s been more than a year since your last checkup, schedule one before applying. Underwriters want to see recent monitoring.
Follow your treatment plan. Taking medications as prescribed and attending follow-up appointments shows responsibility. Underwriters notice when people manage their conditions well.
Be completely honest. Never hide a diagnosis or minimize symptoms. Underwriters will get your medical records anyway, and inconsistencies raise red flags that can hurt your application.
Work with an independent agent. This is the most important tip. Different carriers have vastly different appetites for arrhythmia cases. An independent agent like us can shop your case to dozens of companies and find the one that will treat you most favorably.
Consider the timing. If you were just diagnosed or recently changed treatments, waiting a few months to demonstrate stability can result in better offers.
What If You Can’t Get Traditional Coverage?
Some arrhythmias are severe enough that traditional underwritten policies aren’t available. If you find yourself in this situation, you still have options.
Guaranteed issue life insurance doesn’t ask health questions and can’t turn you down. The trade-off is lower coverage amounts (typically $5,000 to $25,000) and higher premiums. There’s also usually a waiting period before full benefits kick in. But if you need coverage and can’t qualify elsewhere, guaranteed issue provides peace of mind.
Simplified issue policies ask a limited number of health questions but skip the full medical exam. Some people with arrhythmias can qualify for these policies when they can’t get traditional coverage. Learn more about no medical exam life insurance options.
Group life insurance through your employer often has guaranteed acceptance during open enrollment periods. If you have access to group coverage, take advantage of it.
We always try traditional underwritten coverage first because it offers the best value. But we’re also experienced with alternative options when that’s what makes sense for your situation.
Why Work with an Independent Agent?
Here’s something most people don’t realize: the same person with the same arrhythmia can get wildly different offers from different insurance companies. One carrier might decline you entirely while another offers standard rates.
That’s because each insurance company has its own underwriting guidelines, risk tolerance, and experience with heart conditions. Some carriers specialize in higher-risk cases and have more favorable guidelines for arrhythmias. Others are more conservative and prefer to avoid any heart-related conditions.
When you work with a captive agent (someone who represents just one company), you’re stuck with whatever that company decides. When you work with us, we can shop your application to dozens of carriers and find the one that’s the best fit.
We’ve been doing this for over 30 years. We know which companies are AFib-friendly, which ones have the most lenient guidelines for PVCs, and which ones to avoid entirely for arrhythmia cases. That knowledge translates directly into better rates for you.
If you have other heart disease concerns, we can help with those too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get life insurance with atrial fibrillation (AFib)?
Yes, many people with AFib get approved for life insurance. If your AFib is well-controlled with medication and you haven’t had complications like stroke, you may even qualify for standard rates. The key factors are how long you’ve had AFib, your current symptoms, and whether you’re following your treatment plan.
Will my premiums be too expensive because of my arrhythmia?
Not necessarily. Mild arrhythmias often qualify for standard rates, which are the same rates offered to many healthy applicants. More significant cases may cost 25% to 75% more than standard, depending on severity. We always shop multiple carriers to find you the best available rate.
What if I was recently diagnosed with an arrhythmia?
Some carriers may postpone your application for 6-12 months after a new diagnosis. This gives them time to see how your treatment is working. Other carriers will consider your application sooner, especially if initial treatment is going well. We know which companies are more willing to work with recent diagnoses.
Do I need to take a medical exam for life insurance?
Most traditional life insurance policies require a medical exam that includes an EKG. For arrhythmia cases, the EKG actually helps because it documents your current heart rhythm. Some simplified issue policies skip the exam, but they typically cost more and have lower coverage limits.
What if I’ve been declined for life insurance before?
A decline from one company doesn’t mean you can’t get coverage elsewhere. We regularly help people who’ve been turned down find coverage with a different carrier. Each company has different underwriting guidelines, and what one declines, another may accept.
Key Takeaways
- Most people with cardiac arrhythmias can get life insurance. Don’t let a diagnosis discourage you from applying.
- The type and severity of your arrhythmia matter. Well-controlled AFib is much easier to insure than complex ventricular arrhythmias.
- Rates vary widely between carriers. Working with an independent agent who knows the market can save you significant money.
- Good medical management helps your case. Following your treatment plan and seeing your cardiologist regularly demonstrates responsibility to underwriters.
- Guaranteed issue is a backup option. If traditional coverage isn’t available, you can still get some protection without health questions.
Ready to find out what coverage you can qualify for? We’ve helped thousands of people with heart conditions get the protection their families need. Use the quote form on this page. We’ll review your situation and tell you exactly what to expect, with no pressure and no obligation.
