Life Insurance for Turner Syndrome

It’s possible to qualify for traditional life insurance with Turner Syndrome, a genetic disorder that specifically affects females.

As with other pre-existing medical conditions, life insurers will look at your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall health to determine your insurability and set your premium rate.

Key Takeaways: 

• Life insurance policies are available for individuals with Turner Syndrome
• Those without any heart and kidney issues can qualify for standard rates
• Life insurance premiums are likely to be higher for those with kidney issues or a resting heart rate that’s below 40
• Shop around to find the most affordable Turner Syndrome life insurance

What is Turner’s Syndrome?

Turner Syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder that affects only females and occurs because of one missing or partial X chromosome. It affects roughly one in every 2,500 girls. Symptoms and features may vary from person to person, but the two most common symptoms are short stature and reduced ovary functioning.

Other symptoms include delayed puberty, infertility, low levels of estrogen, heart defects, kidney issues, lack of monthly periods, and certain learning difficulties.

There’s no cure for Turner Syndrome, but medications and therapies, such as estrogen therapy and human growth hormone therapy, can help manage the symptoms. The life expectancy of women with TS is about 13 years shorter than those without it, but many women with this condition are able to live normal and healthy lives.

What information about your Turner Syndrome will you have to disclose on your application?

Most insurance companies will ask you a series of questions to assess how risky your Turner Syndrome would make you insured. The details you’ll be asked to provide include:

• Medical diagnosis: Turner syndrome is a genetic condition usually diagnosed before or after birth. However, because the condition affects everyone differently, in some girls, the signs may only be apparent in early childhood, early adolescence, or adulthood. So, the first thing the insurer will ask you is when you were diagnosed.
• Current health status: Several kidney diseases and heart conditions are associated with Turner Syndrome. You need to disclose all medical conditions that you have on your application.
• The effect of Turner Syndrome on your daily life: Some women with TS may experience problems or symptoms such as anxiety, depression, attention and hyperactivity issues, and challenges functioning in social situations. The insurer will likely ask questions such as: Do you have depression or anxiety? Does your TS impact your ability to work? Are you able to lead a normal life?
• Treatment and regular health checks: Even though there is no cure for TS, medication can help treat many symptoms linked to it. The insurer would like to know about your current treatments, as well as whether you get your heart, kidneys, and reproductive system checked regularly or not.

Additionally, the insurance carrier will ask your doctor for an attending physician statement (APS) to confirm your medical history and current health status. They will also review your medical records to assess risk and determine coverage options.

You must disclose detailed information about your TS and any other medical conditions that you have on your application. Withholding information or lying during the application process is a form of insurance fraud and can have serious consequences. The insurer could turn down your application, and you even need help applying with other providers.

How can a Turner Syndrome Diagnosis Affect your Life Insurance Application?

Turner Syndrome is a genetic condition that affects development in females and puts them at an increased risk of heart and kidney diseases. The diagnosis of Turner Syndrome is regarded by life insurance companies as a pre-existing condition that increases the mortality risk. To put it more simply, applicants with TS pose a higher risk for insurers than those without the condition.

The severity of your Turner Syndrome and associated medical conditions, if present, will largely determine whether you are eligible for standard coverage and how much premium you will pay.

In addition to your medical history and current health, insurers will evaluate a few other factors — such as your age, lifestyle, and occupation — to determine how much of a risk you are to insure. Life insurance premiums are higher for people who are older, have unhealthy lifestyle habits, or work in a risky profession.

After assessing your insurance risk, insurance companies will assign you a health classification. The type of health classification you receive will, in turn, determine your premium rate.

Broadly speaking, there are three main health classifications: preferred plus (or super preferred), preferred, and standard. If applicants fall short of the criteria for these classes, they will be assigned a table (or substandard) rating, approved with policy exclusions, or turned down. An exclusion is a specific situation or circumstance in which the insurer will not pay the death benefit to your beneficiary.

Individuals with Turner Syndrome typically receive standard or table ratings. Every company follows different criteria for weighing risk and assigning health ratings, which means some insurers may rate you more favorably than others.

Standard health rating for Turner Syndrome

A standard rating means you have relatively the same life expectancy as the average person of your age and gender. You’ll likely receive this rating if:

• Your TS symptoms are not severe
• You don’t have any TS-associated health conditions or any other serious health issues.
• You have a relatively healthy lifestyle

With a standard rating, you can explore various policies, including term and whole-life insurance, to find the best fit for your financial goals and health considerations.

Table health rating for Turner Syndrome

While many individuals with Turner Syndrome live a healthy and normal life, the average life expectancy of TS patients is shorter than that of the general population. So, there’s a good chance you’ll be approved with a Table rating.

A substandard rating means the insurance company will add a loading charge (an additional charge imposed on the standard premium) based on how risky you are to insure. Table ratings vary between insurers but generally range from 1 to 16 or A to P. With a Table 1 or A rating, you’ll pay an additional charge of 25% on top of the insurer’s standard rate. For each level down the table rating, the insurance premium goes up by another 25%.

Life insurance application denial 

If you have a severe case of Turner Syndrome or any other serious pre-existing health condition, your application for traditional coverage could be declined. In that case, you can try other options, such as group, simplified issue, or guaranteed issue life insurance. 

The Best type of life insurance for People with Turner Syndrome

If you’re eligible for traditional coverage, your three most common options for Turner Syndrome life insurance for individuals are term, whole, and universal life insurance. Which of them is the best fit for you will depend on your financial goals, personal circumstances, and budget.

Term Life Insurance

With term life insurance, you get coverage for a specific period of time, which could be 10, 20, or 30 years, or until age 65 or 75. As long as you keep up with the premium payments, the insurer will pay your beneficiary a lump sum if you die during the policy term.

Once the policy term expires, your coverage ends automatically unless you renew it. If you still need coverage, you may have three options:

• Renew the policy for the same duration as the original term (often without taking a new medical exam)
• Convert your term life insurance to permanent coverage without any additional underwriting
• Buy a new term life or permanent life policy from another provider

Because term life purely provides insurance coverage, and that too for a limited period, it is much cheaper than permanent life insurance. That it is easy to understand and manage is an added advantage.

Term life insurance is a good fit for most people. You may want to consider it if:

• You have dependents (like a spouse or child)
• You have debts with a fixed period for repayment (like a mortgage)
• You are looking for an affordable way to set up a monetary safety net for your loved ones

Individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as Turner Syndrome, may require more detailed evaluations during the application process to secure appropriate coverage.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance combines lifelong coverage with guaranteed investment growth. It provides insurance coverage that lasts your entire life, provided you don’t default on premiums.

Permanent coverage ensures your loved ones will receive a tax-free, lump-sum payment, no matter when you die. It also grows cash value at a fixed rate. Your policy’s cash value functions as a tax-deferred savings account from which you can borrow or withdraw funds.

Permanent coverage and the cash value feature, however, don’t come cheap. Whole life insurance can be up to 10 times costlier than a comparable term life plan. Nonetheless, it can be a good option in certain situations. It may be worth the cost if you have long-term financial obligations or want a policy that can double up as an investment vehicle. Advancements in medical treatment have also positively influenced insurance coverage options.

Universal Life Insurance 

Like whole life, universal life insurance lasts your lifetime and builds cash value. But it comes with some unique features that set it apart from whole life insurance. For example, you can adjust the premiums within predefined limits and use cash value to cover the cost of insurance. 

You generally also have the option to reduce the death benefit, which can prove useful if you require less coverage than before. The other unique feature is that your cash value doesn’t grow at a fixed rate. Instead, cash value growth is tied to the insurer’s interest rate, which can change frequently. 

This policy is considerably more affordable than whole life but requires closer monitoring and doesn’t provide the same guarantees. Consider it if you want permanent coverage that builds cash value and offers flexibility in premium payments and death benefits.  

What if you’re denied coverage due to your Turner Syndrome diagnosis?

Some people with TS won’t be able to buy traditional coverage due to an increased risk of severe, life-threatening complications. If a fully medically underwritten policy is out of your reach, remember that you still have Turner Syndrome life insurance options.

• Group life insurance: It is a term or permanent policy offered by an employer to its workers free of cost or at a subsidized rate. Since there is no medical underwriting for group members, even people with serious health concerns can qualify. The coverage, however, is usually capped at one or two times your annual income and not portable, meaning you’ll lose it if you switch jobs.  
• Guaranteed issue life insurance: It is a small permanent policy with no medical exam or questions. Most people who apply can qualify unless they don’t fall between a specific age range, such as 40 to 80. These policies offer coverage of up to only $25,000 and have a waiting period, usually two to three years. If you die from a natural cause during this period, the insurer won’t pay the death benefit to your beneficiary, though it will return the policy’s premiums plus interest. 

Turner’s Syndrome and Critical Illness Insurance

You may also want to consider critical illness coverage besides Turner Syndrome life insurance. It provides financial assistance if you are diagnosed with a serious, life-altering illness, allowing you to access quality medical care without worrying about how you’ll pay the bills.

The insurance company will ask you questions about your TS and how it affects your daily life. Where symptoms are mild, it’s possible to qualify at normal rates. If you have severe symptoms that affect your heart or kidney, or both, the insurer may approve you on special terms (premium loading or exclusions) or even decline your application.

Turner’s Syndrome and Income Protection

Income protection insurance (also called disability insurance) protects your biggest asset — the ability to earn a paycheck. It pays a steady income if you can’t work due to illness or injury. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be approved at standard or substandard rates or decline your application. 

Conclusion

Turner Syndrome doesn’t automatically disqualify you from buying Turner Syndrome life insurance. In fact, most women with the condition can qualify for traditional plans — such as term life, whole life, and universal life insurance — though they may have to pay higher premiums. Even if your condition is severe enough to prevent you from obtaining a traditional policy, you still have options. Some insurers will rate you more favorably than others. 

Not sure which type of Turner Syndrome life insurance best suits your needs? Which companies are likely to be more lenient when underwriting applicants with TS? Let Dundas life help you. We will provide you with a personalized recommendation based on your unique profile and do the shopping for you as we work with many top-rated insurance companies in Canada. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can people with Turner’s Syndrome be approved for life insurance?

Yes, many applicants with Turner Syndrome can qualify for traditional life insurance coverage, such as term life and whole life.

Will I pay more for Turner Syndrome life insurance if I have Turner’s Syndrome?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because insurers assess applicants on a case-to-case basis. How much you’ll pay depends on the severity of your diagnosis and your insurance company. Shop around to find a provider that will offer you the best rates. 

What do insurers look at when determining my risk as a person with Turner’s Syndrome for a Turner Syndrome life insurance application?

Insurers determine how much a risk you are to insure by evaluating the severity of your Turner Syndrome and conditions associated with it, such as kidney diseases, heart problems, and thyroid issues, and how well you are managing them.

For individuals with pre-existing conditions, particularly those with Turner Syndrome, insurers might scrutinize their health status during the application process due to associated risks. It also considers other factors, such as your age, family medical history, lifestyle habits, occupation, and hobbies.

What life insurance options are available for people with Turner’s Syndrome?

Most women living with Turner Syndrome have the same life insurance options available to them as someone without it. However, because Turner Syndrome reduces life expectancy slightly, you may have to pay a higher-than-average premium. 

How can income protection, critical illness, and life insurance help my family if I have Turner’s Syndrome?

These are three different financial products that protect the financial well-being of your family differently. For example, Turner Syndrome life insurance pays a tax-free, lump-sum amount upon your death to help your family cover their financial needs in your absence. Critical illness and income protection (also known as disability insurance) insurance, in contrast, provides what are called living benefits.

Critical illness insurance gives you a fixed amount if you are diagnosed with a covered critical illness. This money can help you pay for medical expenses not covered by your health insurance, as well as other expenses. Income protection insurance, on the other hand, pays a certain amount every month to replace part of your income if you can’t work due to illness or injury, ensuring you can maintain your living standard.

Do I need to have a medical examination when applying for life insurance if I have Turner’s Syndrome?

If you’re applying for traditional life insurance — such as term life or whole life — you’ll have to take a medical exam as part of the application process.