How Does Mental Health Affect Life Insurance?

Can I even get life insurance if I have a mental health condition?"

The answer is Yes. Having a history of mental illness or current mental health conditions does not automatically disqualify you from buying life insurance coverage. Life insurance for those with mental illness is available, and more insurers are recognising the importance of supporting mental health in their policies. Everyone deserves to protect their family's financial future, and life insurance for mental health is a necessity, not a privilege.

Mental Health is Also a Health Concern

Mental health is a behavioural or psychological pattern that influences an individual's psychological, social and emotional well-being.

As per the National Mental Health Survey, 2015-16, around 15% of Indian adults need active intervention for 1 or more issues of mental health, with 1 in 20 suffering from depression. Despite these heavy numbers, mental health has been overlooked for so many years in various aspects of life, including insurance and financial planning.

Medical science has reported that the body and mind are not separated. Depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and other conditions affect the well-being of an individual, as affected by physical illness.

The Indian Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 mandated that insurance companies make provisions in medical insurance for mental illness treatment on the same basis as for physical illness treatment.

Despite progress, stigma persists, and many people with mental health conditions hesitate to apply for life insurance due to concerns about higher premiums, fear of rejection, or believing they won't qualify. However, insurers must treat all applicants fairly, and while mental health history may influence terms or premiums, honesty is essential, and insurers are legally obligated to assess applications without bias

How Does A Mental Health Condition Affect Life Insurance?

Application Process

If you have a mental health condition, buying life insurance means going through a detailed review. Insurance companies may ask for your medical history, including medication, records of treatment, and doctor consultations.

Premium Costs

Mental health conditions can sometimes lead to higher premiums. This is because insurance companies assess the risk level involved, and specific diagnoses or histories may affect the policy premiums.

Eligibility

Having a mental health condition does not automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance. However, the severity of the condition, response to treatment, and overall health can influence whether you are approved and what coverage options are available.

Why Life Insurance is Important for Those with Mental Conditions?

Mental health challenges should never stand in the way of securing a financially stable future. Life insurance can play a vital role in offering protection and peace of mind to individuals with conditions like anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses. Here's how it helps:

Financial Security for Loved Ones
Life insurance provides a financial cushion to dependents in case of the policyholder's untimely death. With life insurance, knowing their family won't face financial hardship is reassuring.

Clearing Debts and Loans
If a person has liabilities like a home loan or personal debt, life insurance can help cover these after their passing, easing the financial burden on their family.

Peace of Mind
Life insurance offers peace of mind, knowing your loved ones will be cared for despite life's uncertainties.

Optional Riders for Enhanced Protection
Many insurance companies now provide additional riders like critical illness cover, accidental disability, or hospitalisation benefits. These can be very valuable for those who are looking to buy life insurance, offering broader and more relevant protection.

Can I Get Life Insurance with a Mental Health Condition?

Yes, you can still get life insurance if you have any mental health condition.

The fact is that insurers evaluate the entire application form holistically. They consider various factors such as medical history, age, severity of condition, and lifestyle habits. Here is a list of a few things that one should keep in mind when:

• Disclosure is essential: Hiding a pre-existing mental health condition might lead to later claim rejections. It is always good to be honest about your health.

• Medical assessments may vary: Some insurance companies may require additional medical tests or reports from the doctor, but this doesn't guarantee rejection.

• Policy terms can differ. Some insurance companies may provide standard plans, while others might modify their terms based on individual risk assessments.

What are the Best Life Insurance Plans For Mental Health Conditions?

There are a number of options available to fit the needs and situations when choosing the right life insurance plan for people with mental health conditions

Term Life Insurance

Term life insurance as a simple way to protect your family’s future. If something happens to you, it helps cover big costs like loans, monthly bills, and everyday expenses. It’s a smart choice, especially if your loved ones rely on your income.

ULIPs (Unit Linked Insurance Plans)

ULIPs are a mix of life insurance and investment. A part of your premium goes into market-linked funds. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow—making it a good long-term option.

Endowment Plan

An endowment plan helps you save for big goals like retirement or buying a home, while also offering life cover. You pay regularly and get a lump sum payout at the end of the policy term. It's a good mix of savings and protection.

Money-Back Plan

This plan gives you life cover and regular payouts during the policy term. These can help you manage ongoing expenses like EMIs, rent, or school fees, and your family still gets a sum assured if anything happens to you.

How to Buy Life Insurance Plans From Policybazaar?

Here are the steps to buy life insurance plan online in India from Policybazaar:

Step 1: Visit the official Policybazaar website and go to the Life Insurance page

Step 2: Enter your name, contact details, gender, and date of birth

Step 3: Then. Enter the information regarding your job type, yearly income, educational qualifications, and smoking/tobacco consumption habits.

Step 4: Choose your preferred life insurance plan from the available list

Step 5: Pay using your preferred mode to complete the process.

Wrapping Up!

Mental illness should never stand in the way of financial security. Everyone deserves the peace of mind that life insurance offers, especially those managing mental health conditions. As stigma fades, the focus shifts to ensuring that all individuals and their families have access to protection. Just like any physical illness, mental health challenges can be managed and life insurance is about safeguarding your loved ones, not just paying premiums.