Health & Underwriting
Life Insurance With HIV
The life insurance market for people living with HIV has changed substantially. A handful of fully underwritten carriers now publish criteria for HIV-positive applicants on stable antiretroviral therapy, and guaranteed-issue whole life has always been available regardless of status.
Not sure which fits?
Answer a few questions and we'll point you to the right coverage.
What do life insurance underwriters look for?
Carriers that do write HIV cases publish fairly specific criteria. The recurring themes are consistency of treatment and stability of markers.
Continuous antiretroviral therapy, typically for a minimum period of years
Undetectable or consistently suppressed viral load
CD4 count above a stated threshold and stable over time
No AIDS-defining illness, no hepatitis co-infection, no active substance use
Regular treatment with an infectious disease specialist
What should you know about The paths available?
A small number of carriers offer fully underwritten term or permanent coverage at a rated class for applicants meeting their criteria. Most simplified-issue final expense products still list HIV as a knockout. Guaranteed-issue whole life, which asks no health questions, remains available to age 80 or 85 depending on carrier.
What should you know about Where a licensed agent is essential?
Because we are an independent agency and not a single-carrier company, we are not stuck with one set of underwriting rules. When one carrier declines or rates up, we take the same application to the carrier whose guidelines are friendliest to your situation.
Why work with an independent agent?
A captive agent usually represents one company. Our network includes 20+ top-rated carriers, with available options depending on your state and profile. We help compare quotes for coverage and underwriting fit at no cost for comparison, without guaranteeing approval or the lowest price. Policy premiums apply.
Licensed Agent vs. captive agent — the full breakdownFrequently asked questions
Which other health conditions can affect coverage?
Kidney disease & dialysis
Kidney & liver
Organ transplant
Kidney & liver
Hepatitis C
Kidney & liver
Cirrhosis and liver disease
Kidney & liver
Dialysis
Kidney & liver
Type 2 diabetes
Metabolic
This page is educational and is not an offer of insurance, a quote, or a guarantee of coverage. Underwriting decisions, rate classes, and product availability are determined by each insurance carrier and vary by state, age, and health history. Carrier guidelines change without notice.