Below are the latest updates on how our carriers are currently underwriting a COVID-19 diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is current as of 1/25/21.
Please note that these are subject to change as they learn more about the effects of the disease. If you have any questions before submitting an application, please work with our Wholesaling Team to pre-qualify your case. Call 800-625-9267, Option 1.
Lincoln: If the virus did not require hospitalization there is a 30 day waiting period following a complete recovery (no residual symptoms). There is a 3 month waiting period required, if hospitalized.
Mutual of Omaha: 3 months after infection resolved and follow up testing notes negative or nonreactive results.
- International Travel – Travel restrictions for COVID-19 expired on December 31, 2020. We are back to ”business as usual” with our international underwriting guidelines, effective January 1, 2021.
- COVID-19 Vaccines – Underwriting for proposed insureds who have received the COVID-19 vaccine is staying “business as usual” whether they have had one or both doses of the vaccine. To further clarify, we are not taking adverse underwriting actions based solely on COVID-19 vaccination status.
- COVID-19 Exposure – Underwriting for proposed insureds who have been exposed to COVID-19 but have not had any symptoms for 14 days or include a negative COVID-19 test are eligible as “Otherwise Qualifies” with a Good Health Statement.
- COVID-19 Positive Test Results – Underwriting for proposed insureds who have had a positive test for COVID-19 without hospitalization will be postponed for 30 days. We no longer require 2 negative COVID-19 tests after recovery. This includes our CareMatters® product, but please note that the postponement period without hospitalization for CareMatters is 60 days.
- Click here – for our most recent COVID-19 FAQs for answers to commonly asked questions about doing Life business with Nationwide.
NGL (updated 12/21/20):
If a test it taken:
- There will be no waiting period for negative testing scenarios such as work, travel, visiting family, or testing in advance of an elective surgery (colonoscopy, etc.).
- There will be a one month waiting period for a negative test result on a person with symptoms or direct exposure to another person who was positive.
- A positive test is a 6 month waitafter full recovery to assess any residuals (neurological, liver, kidney, clotting, respiratory, cardiac, circulatory, inflammatory disease – just to name a few residuals that some experience).
These guidelines are subject to change as the world learns more about the virus, its implications, and as treatments/vaccines are developed.
- We strongly encourage prequalifying each case with as many details as possible.
One America: If not hospitalized Postpone one month from time of last symptom of COVID and negative test. Would then require full underwriting to include medical records. If hospitalized it would just depend on the severity, if they were ventilated and if there are any residuals??
Securian (Updated 3/26/21):
We are pleased to announce the following changes to the temporary COVID-19 participation guidelines effective April 1, 2021:
- Expanding the issuance of single life applicants at the following ages:
- Insurance ages 61–75, allow table B (150%) or better
- Insurance ages 51–60, allow table D (200%) or better
- Expanding the issuance of joint life applicants to allow up to table B (150%) for the better rated insured.
- Our Write Fit1 expansion to $3,000,000 for applicants ages 18-50 will continue.
All other participation guidelines, including money not being accepted with new applications and temporary insurance agreements not being available, continue until June 30, 2021.
Participation guidelines effective April 1 – June 30, 2021:
WriteFit
The maximum face amount for WriteFit applicants ages 18 through 50 is being continued at $3 million. Applicants ages 51 through 60 continue to be eligible for up to $1 million of coverage via the WriteFit platform. Eligibility for WriteFit is determined by answers to the tele-interview.
SecureCare Universal Life (UL) Underwriting
- Mortality evaluation will need to be Table B (150%) or better for a SecureCare UL policy to be issued. Applicants who would be rated Table C (175%) or worse will be postponed until at least June 30, 2021.
- Money will not be accepted with new applications until at least June 30, 2021; and temporary insurance agreements will not be available during this time.
As a mutual holding company, we take a long-term approach that positions us strongly regardless of what happens in the economy. We will continue to actively monitor COVID-19 data and make decisions that enable us to continue to deliver high levels of service, help customers with insurance needs and maintain the company’s financial strength.
During unprecedented times like these, we are grateful for strong relationships. Thank you for your business as we navigate these challenging times.
Thrivent: (Updated 12/8/20)
- Applicants ages 18-60 who are positive for COVID with no hospitalization, fully recovered and are symptom free for 30 days can be considered for coverage.
- Applicants ages 61-69 who are positive for COVID with no hospitalization, fully recovered and are symptom free for 60 days can be considered for coverage. If the applicant has not met the 60 day requirement but has a physician’s statement noting they have been seen and are fully recovered can be considered for coverage.
- Applicants age 70 & up who are positive for COVID with no hospitalization, fully recovered and are symptom free for 90 days can be considered for coverage. If the applicant has not met the 90 day requirement but has a physician’s statement noting they have been seen and are fully recovered can be considered for coverage.
Applicants applying for coverage after being hospitalized for COVID-19 will be postponed for at least 6 months following discharge.
These guidelines are subject to change as we learn more about the long-term effects of COVID infection.
Transamerica:
| Confirmed positive COVID-19 test in persons with no other known medical conditions, 60 days out from confirmed recovery and/or negative COVID follow-up test, no residual from the virus, no tobacco, never hospitalized, never ventilated | Standard |
| COVID-19 exposure or confirmed positive COVID-19 test in persons with no other known medical conditions, non-tobacco users, never hospitalized, never ventilated | Postpone for 60 days from the date of confirmed recovery or negative COVID-19 test results |
| COVID-19 confirmed in persons with no other known medical conditions, non-tobacco users, either hospitalized and on ventilator for any period of time | Postpone 180 days from recovery, negative COVID-19 test result, and release from medical care |
| Confirmed positive COVID-19 history in persons that already had underlying medical conditions (including by not limited to – respiratory, cardiac conditions, hypertension, diabetes, neurological, liver or kidney impairment.) Please also check the UW guide for the other underlying condition to assure that the underlying condition itself is insurable. | 2 year postponement |
| Confirmed positive COVID-19 history in persons with significant residual fibrosis of the lungs or other systemic residuals (including by no limited to cardiac, liver, kidney, neurological) from the COVID illness not yet resolved. | Decline |