Life Insurance with Autism

Life Insurance

Autism may be a topic that arises during life insurance applications, and I will provide further details.

When seeking life insurance, insurers typically won’t inquire directly about autism, but they may ask about certain factors.

• Have you ever visited a mental health professional?

During this stage, you will likely need to respond with a yes, which may prompt further questions that will delve into the topic of your autism. To assist the insurer in understanding your health, it is beneficial to share:

• The diagnosis of autism was given.
• If autism impacts your work or daily activities.
• Please provide information on any existing medical conditions.

There may be additional questions beyond these, but these are a solid place to start.

Autism is a spectrum disorder, and individuals diagnosed with autism fall somewhere along this spectrum. There are various life insurance options available for individuals with autism based on their unique circumstances and insurance needs.

When setting up life insurance, there should be an ‘insurable interest’. This implies that there will be financial consequences if you pass away.

Life insurance may be necessary for individuals with autism who are capable of working and earning an income, especially if their absence would cause financial hardship for someone else. This scenario may involve a mortgage where financial support is required for a partner and children to repay or fully pay off the mortgage.

For individuals with autism, life insurance is typically accessible at standard rates.

There are instances when individuals with autism do not experience the scenario I mentioned. We receive requests from parents with children above 18 years old, seeking life insurance for their autistic child. This is typically the situation where their child requires dedicated support, either being cared for at home or in a specialized facility.

Life insurance may be an option in these situations, although it’s probable that more specialized policies will be necessary.

Critical Illness

There is an overlap in questions between critical illness cover and life insurance when you apply. Your autism diagnosis might be mentioned when asked if you’ve seen a psychiatrist before. This question is often categorized with questions about mental health. Insurers recognize autism as a neurological condition, but the systems are set up that way, which is unfortunate.

Insurers typically ask about how your autism presents itself and what it means for you. People with autism can usually get critical illness cover with no issues, as it doesn’t usually affect their daily routine significantly.

Individuals with autism requiring additional support from caregivers may need to explore critical illness coverage options from a specialized insurance provider.

Income Protection

Income protection is a policy worth considering for individuals with autism. Insurers are diligent about including exclusions on income protection policies if a disclosed medical condition matches the questions asked. Despite that, autism should not automatically disqualify you from your income protection policy. Selecting the correct insurer is crucial.

Insurers will inquire about any instances of sick leave taken due to autism. Income protection insurers typically verify this information through most disclosures included in the health questions they ask. Certain insurance companies may consider excluding claims related to your autism, based on how your neurodiversity has impacted your work performance previously.