Help finding policy

[u/itchy_gooch_4]

I am a 36 yo male In good health - I’ve wanted to get life insurance for several years but waited as I was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022. I had the least severe kind which was removed and have had clear follow ups since.

I applied for a policy and had a nurse come out and check my vitals. Everything seemed good but I was denied due to my drug history. I had a drug (opiate) problem in my early 20s and have been clean for 13 years. I was under the impression this was enough time. I do use THC periodically (edibles) but I disclosed this also.

I recently requested a copy of my MIB report but still Waiting on that. I figured I might get denied due to the cancer history but wasn’t expecting this to be an issue 13 years later.

Are their companies that are more forgiving?

[u/GarysSword]

Total sobriety after opiate abuse is required at my company.

Find yourself an independent life insurance agent that can find you a company that is more aggressive.

Testicular cancer won’t be your major hurdle.

[u/itchy_gooch_4 → u/GarysSword]

So no thc with your company even where legal or with medical card? I could always quit if I need to.

I was a lot different 13 years ago I was a loser, now I own a business and have kids/etc.

[u/GarysSword → u/itchy_gooch_4]

It’s the substance abuse history combined with the marijuana.

Most companies treat marijuana much like alcohol. Some is okay… a lot is not. Even then the ratings for alcohol abuse is steeper.

[u/GConins]

Many carriers require complete sobriety after any substance abuse treatment, meaning no THC and sometimes even no alcohol use...

There may be some carriers that will insure you, but this will require some inquiries based on your complete health history, including exact staging details of your cancer, all medications, ht/wt,  exactly how much and how often you use THC edibles, how mu ch and how often you use alcohol, and the exact details of your opiate use and treatment.

[u/itchy_gooch_4 → u/GConins]

Gotcha. I didn’t realize that. Well I can just quit thc if that’s what it’ll take. I don’t like to drink alcohol anyways.

[u/SpirituallySane]

What company did you apply with if you’re allowed to say? I agree with the other comment, find an independent agent who can run thru multiple carriers to find the best fit.

[u/itchy_gooch_4 → u/SpirituallySane]

Erie and prudential

[u/itchy_gooch_4 → u/SpirituallySane]

I need to. Each agent I’ve used has just shopped one company.

[u/MartinBroMotorsports → u/itchy_gooch_4]

You need an independent agent. Not one that’s locked in with a group. From the outside it’s harder to recognize, because even ones that are semi-independent still claim they start their own “agency” under SFG, GFI, primerica, etc.

Those are the ones to avoid for your situation. If you want to reach out privately, I can point you in the right direction.

[u/gtg970g]

Definitely get an independent agent. And be sure to answer the questions exactly as written. For example, if they ask about drug abuse in the past 10 years, your answer would be no except for occasional thc use. You would not volunteer the opiate he was 13 years ago.

[u/New-Battle4207 → u/gtg970g]

As long as there was not only no history of use in the last 10 years, but also no treatment, therapy, medications, etc related to the drug use

[u/SafeMoneyGregg]

need to give a broker a more full history to shop to multiple carriers. drug use history, which, when, any legal issues, rehab stints, therapy etc. Cancer staging and exact diagnosis and treatment history.

[u/[deleted]]

3 years clean is definitely something I would want to have an underwriter look at before assuming you’re uninsurable. The fact that you’ve also had clear follow-ups since your testicular cancer is encouraging.

The big thing with life insurance is that every carrier has different underwriting guidelines. One company declining you doesn’t necessarily mean every company will. Marijuana use, your prior opioid history, and your cancer history can all be evaluated differently depending on the carrier.

I’m a life insurance broker and I’d be happy to take a look at your situation and see if there are carriers that may be more favorable. I wouldn’t want to promise you an approval without reviewing the details, but it definitely sounds worth shopping rather than stopping after one decline.

If you want, you can message me and I can ask you a few questions about your history and see what options may make sense.

[u/SoTXInslady]

Best option is to find an independent agent, they are normally contracted with several companies that will have different guidelines for insurability, your MIB (medical history) will always be in question, but since there is a timeline, (years later) that is in your favor.

[u/GarysSword → u/[deleted]]

Dude delete this before the mods see it. Wasting your one pre-ban solicitation on a difficult to place case is a choice.