COPD Burial Insurance

Having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) doesn’t automatically disqualify you from burial insurance, but applying the wrong way can cost your family thousands. These COPD-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.

COPD Burial Insurance Key Insights

• Clinical Diagnosis vs. Symptoms: Carriers prioritize a formal diagnosis over self-reported symptoms. Having a confirmed medical history allows me to match you with top-tier carriers like Aflac or CICA Life, which are often more lenient with respiratory managed care.
• Tobacco-Friendly Pricing: Many seniors with COPD are current or former smokers. Carriers like CICA Life are a “secret weapon” because they do not charge higher tobacco rates for certain plans, potentially saving your family thousands over the life of the policy.
• The “Oxygen Question”: Using oxygen only at night or for limited use (like for sleep apnea) can still qualify you for immediate first-day coverage with specialized carriers. It is typically only constant 24/7 oxygen use that triggers a mandatory waiting period.
• Stability Over Time: Underwriters know that COPD is a lifelong condition. As long as your medication routine is steady and you haven’t had emergency room visits in the last 24 months, you qualify for the lowest “Preferred” age-based rates.
• Postponement for Pending Tests: If you are currently scheduled for a new pulmonary function test (PFT) or are waiting for results from a recent lung scan, insurers will postpone your application. You must have a clear, final diagnosis to lock in your permanent rate.

More carriers expanded immediate-coverage options for people with controlled COPD. As of today, most people will have no trouble qualifying for and affording an instant-approval policy.

COPD Medical Definition & Health Risks

Underwriters evaluate the severity of COPD by reviewing your pulmonary function tests and looking for high-risk indicators, such as supplemental oxygen use or recent hospitalizations. This condition is a progressive lung disease that causes chronic airflow blockage, making it increasingly difficult to breathe as the lung tissue sustains more damage over time. It causes inflammation in the airways, which can lead to coughing and shortness of breath.

Poor control can lead to heart failure or the need for constant oxygen which makes insurance companies view the risk as much higher.

Life Insurance Companies Ask These COPD Questions

Different life insurance companies ask different questions to decide which applicants with COPD they may approve.

• Aetna Decline– Within the past year, have you used or been advised to use oxygen equipment to assist with breathing, excluding CPAP for sleep apnea, or been advised to have kidney dialysis?
• Aetna Standard Level – Have you ever been diagnosed with, received, or been advised to receive treatment or medication for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or any other chronic respiratory condition?
• Aflac Decline – Within the past year, have you used or been advised to use oxygen equipment to assist with breathing, excluding CPAP for sleep apnea, or been advised to have kidney dialysis?
• Aflac Standard Level – Have you ever been diagnosed with, received, or been advised to receive treatment or medication for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or any other chronic respiratory condition?
• CICA Life Level – In the past 10 years, have you opted to not seek treatment, have not taken medication, or have not followed the prescribed treatment plan following a medical diagnosis by a member of the medical profession for any one or more of the following: uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled high blood pressure, stroke or TIA, paralysis, congestive heart failure, heart disease, cardiomyopathy, lung disease including COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or emphysema, liver cirrhosis or failure, kidney (renal) failure or insufficiency, or chronic kidney disease including dialysis?
• Family Benefit Life Decline – Are you currently, or within the past 6 months have you been, hospitalized, bedridden, using oxygen to assist breathing, confined to a wheelchair, in a nursing home or hospice, receiving home health care, or on dialysis?
• Family Benefit Life Level – Have you ever been diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, chronic kidney disease or failure, systemic lupus, hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis of the liver, liver disease, liver failure, or lung impairments including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or fibrosis?
• Guarantee Trust Life Graded – Do you require daily oxygen use (excluding when used with CPAP, after exercise, and for seasonal allergies), have an implanted defibrillator, received or been advised by a medical professional to receive an organ transplant or received dialysis within the LAST 24 MONTHS?
• Liberty Bankers Life Decline – Within the last year, have you been confined to a hospital for more than 5 days total, been advised by a member of the medical profession to have surgery or hospitalization which you are still awaiting, used oxygen due to a medical condition, been unable to care for yourself or been bedridden at home or in a nursing home, hospice, long-term care, or assisted living facility?
• Liberty Bankers Life Preferred – Have you, the Proposed Insured, by a member of the medical profession, ever been diagnosed with, or received, or been advised to receive treatment or medication for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease or peripheral artery disease?
• Mutual of Omaha Decline – Is the Proposed Insured currently requiring any of the following other than fractures, bone or joint surgery, including replacement: wheelchair, electric scooter, oxygen equipment to assist breathing (excluding use for sleep apnea) or defibrillator?
• Mutual of Omaha Level – 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 Chronic Lung Disease, including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Bronchitis, emphysema, or Sarcoidosis?
• Trinity Life Decline – Are you currently, or within the past 6 months have you been hospitalized, bedridden, using oxygen to assist breathing, confined to a wheelchair, in a nursing home or hospice, receiving home health care, or on dialysis?
• Trinity Life Level – Have you ever been diagnosed as having multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, chronic kidney disease or failure, systemic lupus, hepatitis B or C, cirrhosis of the liver, liver disease, liver failure, or lung impairments including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or fibrosis?

COPD Underwriting Basics

• Testing & Test Results: Underwriters care about pulmonary function tests and whether you have been hospitalized for breathing issues lately. A controlled case means you use your inhalers daily and avoid the emergency room.

Medication stability over time reduces the insurance company’s perceived mortality risk, often allowing you to qualify for better coverage.

• Why it Matters: Your test results and medication use tell the carrier whether your lungs are stable or failing. This determines whether you pay the lowest price or wait 2 years for full benefits.

COPD Prescription Medication Classes:

• Inhaled Steroids: Advair, Symbicort, and Breo, which help lower the swelling in your airways.
• Long-acting bronchodilators: Spiriva and Anoro are used to keep your airways open throughout the day.
• Rescue Inhalers: Albuterol and ProAir are used for sudden times when you cannot catch your breath.

COPD with Comorbidities

Insurance companies analyze how multiple health conditions interact because the combination of several diseases often impacts life expectancy more than a single illness alone. When you have COPD alongside heart disease or kidney issues, the underwriting process becomes more complex as the carrier must evaluate the cumulative strain these conditions place on your body. The strain on your heart from poor oxygen levels can lead to congestive heart failure, which is a major concern for carriers.

Having more than one health issue means we must carefully choose the right company to ensure you still get first-day coverage. Controlled COPD often qualifies seniors for immediate level burial insurance coverage, even with secondary health issues (with the right insurance company).

OTHER COMMON HEALTH ISSUES WITH COPD

COPD damages the lungs through chronic airflow obstruction and inflammation, reducing oxygen exchange and placing continuous strain on the heart and muscles. This combination can affect underwriting decisions and policy selection when these related issues are present.

• Chronic shortness of breath – Airflow limitation reduces oxygen intake, so stamina drops and daily activity becomes harder.
• Frequent exacerbations – Flare-ups cause sudden breathing decline, hospitalizations, and long recovery periods that disrupt work and routines.
• Chronic fatigue – The body works harder to breathe, so energy stays low even with rest.
• Exercise intolerance – Lung limitation means physical activity can’t be sustained without significant breathlessness.
• Low oxygen levels – Hypoxemia affects concentration, reaction time, and overall organ function.
• Respiratory infections – Damaged airways don’t clear bacteria well, so pneumonia and bronchitis occur more often.
• Heart strain – Chronic low oxygen increases pulmonary pressure and stresses the right side of the heart.
• Weight loss and muscle wasting – Higher energy use and reduced appetite lead to weakness and frailty.
• Anxiety and depression – Ongoing breathlessness and activity limits increase panic, stress, and sleep problems.
• Reduced life expectancy – Progressive lung damage leads to increasing disability and higher mortality risk.

Understanding COPD Policy Types & Recommendations

Carriers offer different plan categories based on an applicant’s COPD and long & short-term health stability.

• Level: Level burial insurance offers 1st-day coverage and pays the full death benefit from day one. CICA Life and Aflac Life Insurance are the primary choices in this category for immediate protection.
• Graded: Graded burial insurance limits benefits during the 12 to 24 months for health or medical-related causes of death. Guarantee Trust Life is a common choice if you have had recent hospital stays or other complicating health issues.
• 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 is only recommended for those in very poor health who are on 24/7 oxygen and have multiple other diseases.

Sample COPD Rate Snapshot for $10,000 Coverage

Age and gender are the primary factors used to calculate the risk and price of burial insurance. Because women statistically live several years longer than men, insurance companies can offer them lower premiums for the same amount of coverage.

Here are some preferred rates, but your rates can vary based on which A-rated carrier is best for your situation.

Rates may vary based on age, gender, health, and state. Click the form on this page for the lowest rates from the best carriers.

COPD Underwriting & Medication History

Insurers review your prescription history to verify that your COPD is well-managed and that you are consistently following your doctor’s treatment plan. Using daily inhalers is a positive sign because it demonstrates to the carrier that you are actively maintaining your respiratory health to prevent sudden flare-ups or emergencies. Carriers like to see that you are compliant with your doctor’s orders and that you are staying out of the hospital. This stability makes it much easier to get approved for the best possible rates.

Maintenance meds keep your breathing steady, while rescue meds are used for sudden emergencies. Your prescription history is how the insurance carriers verify medical stability.

If you are currently in the hospital or waiting for the results of a lung test, the insurance company will postpone your application. Recent hospitalizations for crises trigger postponement rather than permanent decline.

Real Life COPD Success Stories

Real-world examples illustrate how seniors with COPD secure day-one protection with anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 for burial, cremation, or final expenses.

Thomas’ Story:

Thomas was a 67-year-old lifelong smoker who had been diagnosed with COPD and used two different inhalers every day. He was worried that his habit would double his insurance premiums or force him into a waiting period. I helped him apply with Aflac because they do not charge extra for smokers, and they accepted his COPD history. He was approved for $15,000 with first-day coverage at a price he could easily afford. Now he knows his family is protected without having to pay a high tobacco rate.

Linda’s Story:

Linda had more advanced COPD and used a small amount of oxygen at night to help her sleep. Most companies told her she would have to wait two years for her benefits to start because of the oxygen use. I reviewed her case and placed her with CICA Life under their standard program, which accommodated her specific health needs. She qualified for a $10,000 policy with immediate coverage and was thrilled to have it settled so quickly. This saved her from settling for a much more expensive plan.

COPD Financial Ratings & Stability

Insurers use financial ratings to prove they have the resources to fulfill their long-term promises to your family. A.M. Best ratings serve as an essential “health check” that confirms a company is financially stable enough to pay out your death benefit even decades from now. We also check with the BBB to ensure the company provides high-quality service and does not give families a hard time during a claim.

A strong rating means your family will receive their money within 24 to 48 hours of the claim being approved.

Frequently Asked Questions: COPD Burial Insurance

Can you get burial insurance if you have COPD?

Insurance companies approve permanent burial insurance for applicants with COPD every day because most carriers categorize this condition as a manageable risk. Many people think a lung diagnosis makes them uninsurable. Honestly, it just does not make sense to go without protection when you can still secure a policy that locks in your rate today. If you manage your breathing without an oxygen tank, you can often get first-day coverage at a standard price. This ensures your family receives a check to cover your funeral costs without having to raid their own savings.

Does oxygen use for COPD disqualify you from immediate burial insurance?

Supplemental oxygen use prevents most applicants from getting immediate benefits because standard carriers view oxygen dependency as a major respiratory failure. If you carry an oxygen tank, the insurance company often sees you as a massive risk. While most companies will force you into a “Modified” plan with a two-year waiting period, specialized carriers still offer better deals if you know where to look. You should never settle for a bad deal just because you use oxygen. Your family counts on you to find the plan that gives them the most money for the lowest premium.

How does COPD severity affect the cost of burial insurance?

Your specific symptoms and treatment history determine your monthly premium, as insurance companies adjust your rate based on the risk they assume. Mild COPD usually earns you the most affordable “Level” rates on the market. But if you use several different medications or breathing treatments, the company might move you to a higher price tier. Once you qualify for a policy, the insurance company can never raise your price or cancel your coverage as your health changes.

Will burial insurance pay out for a death caused by COPD?

Burial insurance policies pay the full death benefit for any natural cause of death once you satisfy the initial two-year waiting period. The insurance company must send a check to your kids if you pass away from respiratory failure or any other lung complication. As long as you were honest during the quick background check on your prescriptions, the company cannot deny the claim. This money allows your spouse to pay the funeral director and settle your final bills. It provides the financial safety net your family needs during a difficult time.

Is COPD considered a life-limiting illness for burial insurance purposes?

Insurance underwriters classify COPD as a chronic progressive illness, but they still offer coverage because they know many seniors live for decades with this condition. Instead of turning you away, carriers simply move you to a different risk tier. As long as you do not live in a nursing home or a hospital bed right now, you qualify for at least a guaranteed acceptance plan. Honestly, it just does not make sense to wait until your breathing gets worse to buy a policy. You should lock in your age-based pricing today to save your kids from a bigger bill tomorrow.

What should you not say when applying for burial insurance with COPD?

You must never hide your medical history or inhaler use, as insurance companies perform a quick background check of your prescriptions to verify your answers. The company will use an automated reports that show every medication you have touched for the last 10 years. If you deny having COPD while your records show an Advair or Spiriva prescription, the company will reject your application for lying. Honesty is the only way to make sure the company actually pays the claim when your family needs the money. Frame every honest answer as a way to protect your family’s financial future.