Life Insurance While Pregnant: Should You Wait?

When you are pregnant, there are many things to think about. One thing that you may be wondering is whether or not you should wait to purchase life insurance. After all, there can be risks involved with having a baby, and you need to think about how you can financially safeguard your family if you pass away.

Indeed, when it comes to life insurance, there are a lot of questions that can come up – especially if you’re pregnant. When is the best time to apply? What could drive up your rates? And how much life insurance should you get anyway?

A good life insurance policy can provide peace of mind. However, it’s not as easy as writing your signature and forgetting about the policy until your family needs it. 

In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about purchasing life insurance when you’re pregnant. We will also explore various options for buying life insurance while pregnant so that you can make the best decision for your family.

Can You Get Life Insurance While Pregnant?

If you’re pregnant and shopping for life insurance, you might be wondering if it’s possible to get coverage. The answer is yes, but there are some things to keep in mind.

Most life insurance policies require a medical exam, which will likely include a urine or blood test. However, the examiner will not do a pregnancy test, so if it’s not obvious that you’re pregnant, be sure to let them know. (For more information, read our “What Does the Life Insurance Medical Exam Test For?“).

If you don’t disclose your pregnancy and you pass away during childbirth, your spouse’s claim on the policy could be rejected. The same could happen during the policy’s contestability period, which typically lasts for about two years.

Additionally, any falsehoods on your application could be seen as fraud. This could further complicate things, resulting in legal problems or denied claims.

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When Should You Get Life Insurance if You’re Pregnant?

Pregnancy is often seen as a potential obstacle when it comes to life insurance. However, in most cases, pregnancy won’t drastically impact your ability to get life insurance or your rates. That means you can take a deep breath and relax. Then begin educating yourself about the factors that may impact coverage eligibility and rates.

For example, in terms of rates, some life insurance companies may consider pregnancy a risk factor, while others may not. Other considerations, such as timing, are pretty important. In fact, timing is everything. In a best-case scenario, you would have applied for life insurance before you got pregnant. But if that’s not the case, the next best alternative is buying life insurance as soon as you find out.

Additionally, you’re likely to be in good health overall. As a result, you may find that you can get a better rate on your life insurance policy than if you waited until later.

Getting Insurance During the First Trimester

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. There are many things to think over, from finding the right OBGYN to stocking up on baby supplies. Discovering that you should also consider purchasing life insurance might seem like it’s just one more stressor to add to the pile.

Thankfully, most life insurance companies will approve coverage during a woman’s first or second trimester of pregnancy, and purchasing a policy doesn’t have to be complicated. So if you’ve recently found out that you’re expecting, it’s a wise decision to begin comparing rates now.

Getting Insurance Later in Pregnancy

If you’re past the second trimester and you’re well on your way to giving birth, you can still purchase a life insurance policy. However, you should be aware that factors like weight, blood pressure, age, and cholesterol are all considered when insurance companies are determining rates.

So, if you’re feeling good and taking care of yourself, now’s the time to start investigating your options. The sooner you begin, the longer you’ll have to compare rates and find the best policy for your family. 

Read More: Best Life Insurance for Families

Tell the Truth On Your Application

As previously stated, you must tell the truth on your life insurance application regardless of the stage of pregnancy you may be in.

Most people know that it’s essential to be truthful when applying for life insurance. After all, the whole point of the policy is to provide financial protection for loved ones in the event of your death.

However, some people may be tempted to lie about their health status in order to get a more affordable premium. But this is a risky move that could cost your family dearly. 

Choosing a Beneficiary When You are Pregnant

When parents purchase life insurance, they are often asked to name a beneficiary. This is the person who will receive the death benefit in the event of the policyholder’s death. For many parents, the natural choice for a beneficiary is their spouse or partner. 

This makes sense, as the spouse or partner is often the most likely person to shoulder parenting responsibilities in the event of a parent’s death. 

Remember that raising a child alone can be a significant financial hardship. Therefore, giving your partner the death benefit from your life insurance policy can help to ease this burden. 

Alternatively, you could name your child or children as your beneficiaries if you aren’t married or have no partner. However, consider that legal complications can arise when naming minors as your heirs. 

A better option is to name someone you trust to be the legal guardian of your children if you should pass away. It would then be that person’s responsibility to ensure your policy’s payouts are used to care for your children. The guardian’s responsibility usually lasts until your children arrive at the legal age of adulthood (typically 18 in most states).

Should You Purchase Whole Life Insurance or Term?

While many different types of life insurance policies are available, term life insurance is often the best choice for pregnant women. They are significantly cheaper than whole life insurance policies, and they can be tailored to last just as long as you expect having dependents living with you.

Of course, every family’s situation is unique. Ultimately, you’ll need to determine what kind of life insurance policy makes the most sense for your particular circumstances. However, if you are pregnant and looking to purchase life insurance for the first time, term life insurance is likely your best bet.

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How Do You Get the Lowest Life Insurance Rates if You’re Pregnant?

If you’re looking to get the lowest life insurance rates possible, it’s a good idea to apply as early as possible. The best time to apply is before you’re pregnant, and the next best is within the first trimester.

Remember that premiums vary from company to company. Therefore, it is wise to begin comparing term life insurance quotes from a range of insurance companies to ensure that you can take advantage of the best rates possible.

What Else Should You Consider for Life Insurance Coverage When You’re Pregnant?

Almost all insurance companies offer the ability to add riders, or endorsements, to customize the terms of your coverage. There are a few riders that are useful to those expecting children.

For instance, although it’s unpleasant to consider, a child rider pays out a small death benefit if the baby dies at birth or soon after. This way, the parent would not have to worry about the funeral and burial costs. 

You could also purchase a disability income rider. This add-on gives you an income every month if you become disabled and cannot work. It’s an addition that can help you cover your living expenses and care for your children.

However, remember that disability riders do not cover short-term disability periods, like the first several months immediately after birth. Instead, they are designed to benefit those who have a long-term disability. 

Life Insurance While Pregnant: The Bottom Line

If you’re like many, you may not have life insurance. It’s one of those things which people don’t think about until they need it. However, if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it’s worth considering life insurance coverage.

If you’re not already covered, try to apply for coverage as soon as possible. No one likes to think about what might happen if worse comes to worst, but it’s essential to be prepared if something happens to you. Moreover, having life insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that it will financially take care of your loved ones.

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