The short answer
Burial insurance with COPD is often available. Milder COPD managed with inhalers may be offered level or graded coverage by some companies. Oxygen use is usually the biggest factor. Many applications ask about it directly, and a "yes" commonly leads to a guaranteed issue policy, which has a waiting period of about two years.
Key takeaways
- COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, usually changes the type of policy offered rather than ruling out coverage.
- The CDC reports that nearly 16 million U.S. adults have COPD, so it is a common condition on burial insurance applications.
- Oxygen use is often the single biggest factor, and many applications ask about it directly.
- Milder COPD treated with inhalers may still fit a level or graded policy at some companies.
- Recent hospital stays for breathing problems often lead to a waiting period.
- Answer tobacco questions honestly, because a wrong answer can put a claim at risk.
Can you get burial insurance with COPD?
Yes. COPD is a common condition among people applying for burial insurance, and it does not rule you out. It mainly affects which type of policy a company may offer. See how the three policy types work.
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The CDC and NIH describe it as a group of lung diseases, mainly emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that make it hard to breathe. If an application asks about any of these, it is asking about COPD.
The CDC reports that nearly 16 million U.S. adults have COPD. It has no cure, but it can be treated, and treatment can help reduce symptoms. That is one reason many companies look at how your COPD is managed today, not only at the diagnosis.
How insurers commonly look at COPD
| Factor | Why it can matter |
|---|---|
| Oxygen use | Often the biggest factor. Using oxygen, even only at night, may lead to a guaranteed issue policy. |
| Treatment | Inhalers alone are often treated more favorably than frequent steroid pills or other stronger treatment. |
| Hospital stays | Recent hospital stays or emergency visits for breathing problems often count against you. |
| Tobacco use | Many applications ask about current tobacco use, and some ask how long ago you quit. It can affect the price. |
| Daily activity | Being short of breath with light activity, or needing help with daily tasks, may lead to a waiting period. |
What is commonly offered at each stage
| Your situation | What may be offered |
|---|---|
| Mild COPD, inhalers only, no recent hospital stays | Level coverage at some companies; graded at others |
| Stronger medicines or a recent hospital stay for breathing | Graded at some companies; guaranteed issue at others |
| Using oxygen at home, even part-time | Commonly guaranteed issue |
| Needing help with daily tasks, or in a nursing home | Commonly guaranteed issue |
Oxygen use: what counts
Oxygen therapy gives you extra oxygen through tubes in your nose, a face mask or other devices. The NIH notes it can be short-term or long-term, and it is used for several conditions besides COPD, such as pneumonia, heart failure and sleep apnea.
Oxygen questions are often worded broadly, such as "Do you use oxygen equipment for any reason?" That can include a machine you use only at night. Some questions ask only about current use; others ask about a recent period.
If you have oxygen at home, even if you rarely use it, tell the Licensed Insurance Agent. If you used oxygen for a short time after an illness and no longer do, say that too, and have the Licensed Insurance Agent read the exact question with you.
Smoking and COPD
Many people with COPD smoked at some point. Applications commonly ask whether you use tobacco or nicotine now, and some ask when you quit. Answer exactly what is asked. The NIH also notes that people using oxygen must not smoke, because oxygen raises the risk of fire.
Quitting is good for your lungs. It may also change how some companies price your policy later, but that varies by company.
Who a guaranteed issue policy is and is not right for
- It may fit if you use oxygen, need help with daily tasks, or were turned down elsewhere, and you expect to live well past the waiting period.
- It is often not the first option to check if your COPD is mild. A level or graded policy may cost less for the same benefit and have a shorter wait or none.
- Do not drop a policy you already have to buy a new one without comparing carefully. Your health today may mean a new policy costs more or comes with a waiting period.
On many guaranteed issue policies, if death is from illness during the waiting period, the family receives the premiums paid, often with some interest. Accidental death is often covered in full from day one.
If your COPD gets worse after you buy
The health questions are about your health when you apply. Burial insurance is commonly whole life insurance, and the NAIC notes that whole life premiums are typically paid on a set schedule. If your breathing gets worse later, or you start oxygen after the policy is issued, that is generally not a reason for the company to cancel the policy or raise the premium, as long as premiums are paid and your answers were accurate.
This is one reason some people with milder COPD look at coverage while their health answers are still favorable. It is a personal choice, and a Licensed Insurance Agent can show you how the options compare.
Questions you may see on the application
- Have you been diagnosed with or treated for COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis?
- Do you use oxygen equipment for any reason?
- Have you been in the hospital for a breathing problem in the past [number] years?
- Have you used tobacco or nicotine products in the past [number] months?
The NAIC warns that if an insurer finds false statements on your application, it can reduce or cancel coverage. Honest answers help protect the money you plan to leave your family.
What to have ready and what to ask a Licensed Insurance Agent
Have ready:
- When you were diagnosed with COPD
- Your inhalers and other medicines, with doses
- Whether you use oxygen, how often, and when you started
- Hospital stays or emergency visits in the last few years, with rough dates
- Whether you use tobacco, and if you quit, when
Ask the Licensed Insurance Agent: Which companies may offer me level or graded coverage without oxygen use? How does each company word its oxygen question? If you suggest guaranteed issue, what is paid during the waiting period?
See what burial insurance costs, estimate an amount with the coverage calculator, or try the policy quiz. If you are helping a parent with COPD, see burial insurance for parents. This page is general information, not medical advice.
Common questions
Can I get burial insurance with COPD?
Often, yes. Milder COPD managed with inhalers may be offered level or graded coverage by some companies. Oxygen use, recent hospital stays for breathing, or needing help with daily tasks commonly lead to guaranteed issue. A Licensed Insurance Agent can check several companies for you.
Can I get burial insurance if I am on oxygen?
Guaranteed issue burial insurance is commonly available to people on oxygen, within the company's age limits. It usually has a waiting period of about two years for death from illness. Some companies word their oxygen questions differently, so it is worth asking a Licensed Insurance Agent to check.
Does using an inhaler mean I have to wait for coverage?
Not necessarily. Some companies may offer level coverage to people with milder COPD managed with inhalers and no recent hospital stays. It depends on the company and your full health picture, including oxygen use and tobacco. A Licensed Insurance Agent can compare companies.
Does emphysema count as COPD on an application?
Yes. The CDC and NIH describe COPD as mainly emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Many applications list all three by name. Answer yes if the question names your condition, even if your doctor uses a different word. If you are not sure what your diagnosis is called, check with your doctor before you apply.
Does smoking affect burial insurance with COPD?
It can. Many applications ask about current tobacco use, and some ask when you quit. At many companies, tobacco use affects the price. Answer honestly, since a wrong answer can put a claim at risk during the first two years.
My doctor prescribed oxygen but I rarely use it. Does it count?
It may. Many oxygen questions are worded broadly, such as whether you use or have been prescribed oxygen equipment for any reason. Some companies count a prescription or a machine at home even if you seldom use it. Tell the Licensed Insurance Agent exactly how often you use it, and answer the question as it is written.
Will my burial insurance premium go up if my COPD gets worse?
Generally, no. The health questions cover your health when you apply. On a whole life burial insurance policy, the premium is typically set on a fixed schedule, and a later change in your health is generally not a reason to raise it or cancel the policy, as long as premiums are paid. Ask the Licensed Insurance Agent to confirm this in the policy.
I used oxygen after pneumonia but not anymore. Does that count?
It depends on the question. Some ask only whether you use oxygen now. Others ask about a recent period. Tell the Licensed Insurance Agent exactly when you used oxygen and why, and have them read the question with you before you answer.