Huntington’s Disease Burial Insurance
Most people get easy approval for Huntington’s Disease through my simple process that handles the hard work for your family. These Huntington’s disease-approved policies I help people with pay out quickly to cover burial or cremation costs, or provide a tax-free legacy for your loved ones.
Huntington’s Disease Burial Insurance Key Insights
- Underwriters classify Huntington’s Disease as a high-risk category because the progressive neurological decline represents a significant long-term mortality risk.
- Graded or guaranteed plans are the most common approval paths, providing a structured way for those with a diagnosis to bypass traditional medical denials.
- Daily task mobility, such as your ability to walk, eat, and bathe independently, directly determines whether you qualify for lower-cost tiered coverage or a standard waiting period.
- Early application strategies allow you to lock in permanent age-based rates before the physical symptoms of the disease advance and limit your policy options.
- Locked-in premium rates guarantee your monthly cost never increases as the disease progresses, protecting your fixed income from future price hikes due to health changes.
Some carriers offer immediate-coverage options for seniors with controlled Huntington’s Disease, but it can be challenging. Most seniors will have no trouble qualifying for and affording an instant-approval policy.

Huntington’s Disease Medical Definition & Health Risks
Insurance carriers categorize Huntington’s Disease as a high-risk progressive neurological disorder because the persistent breakdown of brain nerve cells impacts long-term mortality. This gradual cellular degeneration leads to movement and cognitive complications, requiring underwriters to assess your current stability to determine the most appropriate coverage tier. This leads to physical movement problems, memory loss, and mood changes. Insurance companies worry about this because it can lead to falls, choking, or pneumonia as the disease moves into later stages.
Life Insurance Companies Ask These Huntington’s Disease Health Questions
Different life insurance companies ask different questions to decide which applicants with Huntington’s disease they may approve.
- Aetna Decline – Have you ever been diagnosed with, received, or been advised to receive treatment or medication for amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Huntington’s Disease, or sickle cell anemia?
- Aflac Decline – Have you ever been diagnosed with, received, or been advised to receive treatment or medication for amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), Huntington’s Disease, or sickle cell anemia?
- CICA Life Level – Have you ever been medically diagnosed, treated by a member of the medical profession, or prescribed medication for mental disorder, disorder of the brain or nervous system, systemic lupus (SLE), Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, brain disease, organic brain syndrome, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), Huntington’s disease, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, or multiple myeloma?
- Family Benefit Life Decline – Have you ever been diagnosed by a medical professional for, or taken medication for, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, mental incapacity, Down syndrome, Huntington’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or sickle cell anemia?
- Liberty Bankers Life Decline – Have you, the Proposed Insured, ever been diagnosed, treated, tested positive for, or been given medical advice by a member of the medical profession for; organ transplant (other than corneal), bone marrow transplant, stem cell treatment, kidney failure or dialysis, muscular dystrophy, mental incapacity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s disease, Down’s syndrome, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, or Huntington’s disease?
- Mutual of Omaha Decline – Has the Proposed Insured ever been diagnosed by a licensed medical professional with, received treatment by a licensed medical professional for, or been advised to seek treatment by a licensed medical professional for; Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Huntington’s Disease, Sickle Cell Anemia, Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS), Hydrocephalus, Muscular Dystrophy, Quadriplegia, Paraplegia, Down Syndrome, Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Congestive Heart Failure, Cirrhosis, Metastatic Cancer or recurrent Cancer of the same type?
Huntington’s Disease Underwriting Basics
- Testing & Test Results: Insurers look at your UHDRS score to see how well you move and think. They check for “controlled” status, which means your symptoms are stable and you can still live on your own.
Physicians frequently authorize Xenazine or Austedo to manage involuntary movements, signaling to the insurance carrier that your condition is under active and successful medical supervision.
- Why it Matters: If you are stable and taking your meds, you might get a “graded” plan with a better price. If you have many falls or need help bathing, you will likely need a “guaranteed-issue” plan.
Huntington’s Disease Prescription Medication Classes:
- VMAT2 Inhibitors: Xenazine (tetrabenazine), Austedo (deutetrabenazine), and Ingrezza (valbenazine).
- Antipsychotics: Haldol (haloperidol), Zyprexa (olanzapine), and Abilify (aripiprazole).
- Antidepressants: Lexapro (escitalopram), Zoloft (sertraline), and Prozac (fluoxetine).
Huntington’s Disease with Comorbidities
Mixed medical histories raise your total insurance risk by showing how Huntington’s Disease, paired with heart or blood sugar issues, complicates your overall health. When you manage brain-related decline along with diabetes or heart disease, underwriters look much closer because these grouped health problems increase the chance of sudden physical setbacks. They look for “red flags” like a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, which are common with brain-related conditions. Choking risks or frequent lung infections also increase the insurance risk.
Controlled Huntington’s Disease qualifies seniors for immediate level burial insurance coverage even with secondary health issues.
Other Common Health Issues With Huntington’s Disease
Huntington’s disease causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain, which disrupts movement, cognition, and emotional control and can lead to secondary complications that affect underwriting and policy selection when they’re present.
- Involuntary movements – Chorea causes uncontrolled movements that interfere with walking, balance, and fine-motor tasks.
- Cognitive decline – Memory loss and impaired reasoning reduce decision-making ability and independence.
- Psychiatric symptoms – Depression, anxiety, and irritability affect behavior and daily stability.
- Speech difficulties – Slurred or slowed speech interferes with clear communication.
- Swallowing problems – Issues such as dysphagia increase the risk of choking and poor nutrition.
- Balance and coordination issues – Motor control loss raises fall and injury risk.
- Weight loss – Increased calorie use and swallowing difficulty lead to unintended weight loss.
- Sleep disturbances – Irregular sleep patterns worsen fatigue and cognitive function.
- Loss of independence – Progressive impairment increases the need for assistance with daily activities.
- Reduced life expectancy – Ongoing neurological decline leads to increasing disability and higher mortality risk.
Understanding Huntington’s Disease Policy Types
Carriers offer different plan categories based on an applicant’s Huntington’s Disease and long & short-term health stability.
- Level: Level burial insurance offers 1st-day coverage and pays the full death benefit from day one. This is more challenging to qualify for and would be best determined by knowing your unique health issues and medications.
- Graded: Graded burial insurance limits benefits during the 12 to 24 months for health or medical-related causes of death. No problem getting this coverage from Guarantee Trust Life.
- Guaranteed Issue: Guaranteed issue burial insurance requires no health questions but includes a 2-year waiting period before it pays out for causes of death related to health or medical conditions. Gerber Life would be my recommendation for a solid company with great rates.
Sample Huntington’s Disease Rate Snapshot for $10,000 Coverage
Monthly prices for burial insurance increase every year you wait to apply because the insurance company locks in your rate based on your starting age. Buying a policy now protects your budget by keeping your premium at a low, fixed rate for the rest of your life. These are sample rates for a graded or guaranteed-issue plan, which is common for this condition.
Here are some preferred rates, but your rates can vary based on which A-rated carrier is best for your situation.
GUARANTEE TRUST LIFE INSURANCE RATES AGE 50–85
| AGE | $10,000 | $15,000 | $20,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | F: $43 M: $62 | F: $63 M: $90.75 | F: $82 M: $119 |
| 55 | F: $52 M: $68 | F: $77 M: $100 | F: $101 M: $132 |
| 60 | F: $61 M: $77 | F: $89 M: $114 | F: $117 M: $151 |
| 65 | F: $72 M: $97 | F: $107 M: $143 | F: $141 M: $189 |
| 70 | F: $87 M: $115 | F: $129 M: $170 | F: $171 M: $226 |
| 75 | F: $125 M: $157 | F: $185 M: $234 | F: $246 M: $311 |
| 80 | F: $191 M: $250 | F: $285 M: $373 | F: $379 M: $496 |
| 85 | F: $224 M: $321 | F: $334 M: $480 | F: $444 M: $639 |
Rates may vary based on age, gender, health, and state. Click the form on this page for the lowest rates from the best carriers.
Huntington’s Disease Underwriting & Medication History
Your prescription records show the insurance company exactly how stable you are by proving you take your daily medicine to keep your health under control. Regular doctor visits make the company feel safe because they show you are actively working to stay healthy and manage your condition. They look for “maintenance” meds that keep you stable rather than “rescue” meds for emergencies. Your prescription history is how the insurance carriers verify medical stability.
Recent hospitalizations for crises trigger postponement rather than permanent decline. If you have been in the hospital in the last 6 months, you may need to wait a little while before you can apply.
| Health Profile | Coverage Type | Wait Period |
|---|---|---|
| Early Stage / Stable | Graded | 24 Months |
| Help with ADLs | Guaranteed Issue | 24 Months |
| In Nursing Home | Guaranteed Issue | 24 Months |
Real Life Huntington’s Disease Success Stories
Real-world examples illustrate how seniors with Huntington’s Disease secure day-one protection with anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 for any of the following: burial, cremation, funeral expenses, final expenses, leave money for loved ones, pay off last bills, or a combination of these.
Robert’s Story:
Robert was 64 and recently diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease. He was still walking and driving, but he knew his condition would get worse over time. We looked at several companies and found a graded plan through Guarantee Trust Life. This plan allowed him to lock in a rate that was 30% lower than the “no-questions” plans he saw on TV. He secured $15,000 to make sure his daughter wouldn’t have to pay for his funeral. Robert felt much better knowing the money was set aside.
Sarah’s Story:
Sarah was 71 and used a walker because Huntington’s made her balance unsteady. Most companies wanted to charge her a very high price or decline her entirely. We used Gerber Life because they do not ask any health questions. Even though there is a 2-year waiting period, Sarah was happy to have the coverage started. It saved her family from the stress of finding $10,000 for her cremation services. She liked that her price would never go up as she got older.
Huntington’s Disease Financial Ratings & Stability
A.M. Best letter grades act as a report card for insurance companies to show you exactly how likely they are to pay your future claim. These specific scores verify if a burial insurance carrier has enough cash in the bank to stay in business and fulfill their lifelong promise to your family. A.M. Best checks whether a company has enough cash, while the BBB assesses how it treats customers.
Insurance Carrier Ratings & Comparisons
| Carrier | A.M. Best | BBB | NAIC Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aflac | A+ (Superior) | A+ | Low |
| CICA | B++ (Good) | A+ | Low |
| Colonial Penn | A (Excellent) | A+ | High (300% Above Avg) |
| Family Benefit Life | A+ (Superior) | A+ | Low |
| Guarantee Trust Life | A (Excellent) | A+ | Low |
| Senior Life | Not Rated | A+ | High (300% Above Avg) |
| Trinity Life | A+ (Superior) | A+ | Low |
Frequently Asked Questions: Huntington’s Disease Burial Insurance
Can you get burial insurance if you have Huntington’s Disease?
Insurance companies approve permanent burial insurance for applicants with Huntington’s Disease because specialized final expense carriers offer guaranteed-issue plans that bypass medical history entirely. Traditional term life insurance will almost certainly decline your application once they see a neurological condition on your record. Honestly, it just does not make sense to waste your time with big-name companies that want you to be perfect. Guaranteed-issue policies do not ask a single health question or require a medical exam. Your approval is 100% certain as long as you meet the age requirements for the state-regulated policies in your area. This ensures you can protect your family without jumping through corporate hoops.
Is Day One burial insurance coverage available for Huntington’s Disease?
Immediate first-day coverage is rarely available for individuals already showing symptoms of Huntington’s because most insurance underwriters view the condition as a high-risk neurological disorder. Once a doctor puts that diagnosis in your file, the simplified-issue companies will likely turn you down for immediate benefits. However, if you are at risk but have not yet received a formal diagnosis or a positive genetic test, an expert agent might find you a plan with no waiting period. You have to be careful with how the health questions are phrased so you do not accidentally pay a “convenience tax” you could have avoided. But for most with a diagnosis, the safety net of a graded plan is the reality.
Does a positive genetic test for Huntington’s disqualify you from burial insurance?
A positive genetic test for Huntington’s does not disqualify you from guaranteed-issue burial insurance because these plans never review your medical or genetic records. If you apply for a plan that asks health questions, a positive test will likely lead to a decline or a mandatory waiting period. But guaranteed-issue carriers do not look at your DNA or your doctor’s notes. This ensures you can still protect your family without the insurance company digging into your private genetic data. Locking in a plan now keeps the company’s hands out of your medical business and ensures your kids have the funds they need.
Is there a waiting period for burial insurance with Huntington’s?
Most burial insurance policies for Huntington’s patients involve a two-year waiting period for natural causes of death because the condition is classified as a progressive neurological risk. If you pass away from health issues during the first 24 months, the insurance company will refund all your premiums plus about 10% interest to your beneficiaries. But here is a bit of good news: if an accident causes your death, the policy pays the full benefit to your family starting on day one. Every dollar you pay into the policy is either growing with interest or waiting to pay out the full amount to your kids. It is a win-win for your estate.
How does the progressive nature of HD affect burial insurance premiums?
The progressive nature of Huntington’s does not affect your premiums because burial insurance rates lock in for life the moment the company issues your policy. Whether your symptoms are mild today or become severe years from now, your monthly cost stays exactly the same. The insurance company cannot raise your rates just because your health declines. This provides a massive financial advantage for fixed-income households. You protect your family from future price hikes while ensuring they have the cash they need for your final arrangements. Honestly, it just does not make sense to wait until the disease advances to lock in your price.
Will burial insurance cover death from HD complications like pneumonia?
Burial insurance covers death from any cause, including complications like aspiration pneumonia or heart disease, once you outlive the initial two-year waiting period. The policy becomes fully vested after those first 24 months, meaning the company must pay the full check to your family. It does not matter if the cause of death is related to Huntington’s or a completely different health issue. This ensures your spouse has the funds to pay the funeral director and handle your memorial service without any red tape or delays. You are buying a guarantee that your family will not be left holding the bill.
Can I get burial insurance if I already require 24-hour care?
You can qualify for burial insurance even if you require 24-hour care or live in a nursing home because guaranteed-issue plans ask zero questions about your lifestyle or physical abilities. Most people think needing a wheelchair or help with bathing makes them uninsurable. But honestly, it just does not make sense to give up on your family’s security. These plans act as a vital safety net for folks in the later stages of the disease. The company will not ask if you need help with daily activities, so they cannot use your physical condition as an excuse to deny you. Your family receives the cash they need regardless of your physical limitations.
Does taking Tetrabenazine or psychiatric meds for HD affect burial insurance eligibility?
Your medications for chorea or depression do not affect your approval for a guaranteed-issue policy because the insurance carrier never performs a quick background check on your prescriptions for these plans. If you tried to apply for a standard plan, those medications would trigger an automatic decline or a long waiting period. Choosing the guaranteed-issue route is much more efficient because it skips the pharmacy review entirely. You get the coverage you need without the headache of explaining every pill in your medicine cabinet to a judgmental underwriter. This path ensures your beneficiaries receive a tax-free check without any medical interrogation.
Why is burial insurance better than a pre-paid funeral plan for HD?
Burial insurance is superior to a pre-paid funeral plan because it provides your family with tax-free cash that they can use at any funeral home in any state. Pre-paid plans often tie your money to one specific location, which is a “bad deal” if your family needs to move or if that funeral home goes out of business. Burial insurance gives your loved ones total flexibility. They can use the money for flowers, death certificates, or even travel expenses for relatives. It puts the control back in your family’s hands where it belongs, ensuring your final wishes are honored exactly as you want.