Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the body to mistake normal, healthy tissues for bacteria or viruses and attack these tissues accordingly. Most lupus sufferers lead a normal life with the help of medication. However, lupus can be life-threatening in rare but severe cases.
Whether lupus has minimal effects on your day to day life, prevents you from working, or actually threatens your life depends on which parts of the body it attacks.
Because of the vast range of experiences people living with lupus have, sufferers can find it very hard to get the right life insurance products. The fact that there is no known cure for lupus (there’s only medication that can ease the symptoms) is another roadblock faced by lupus sufferers trying to get affordable and comprehensive life insurance coverage.
However, a lupus diagnosis does not necessarily rule out getting a quality life insurance or income protection product! Special Risk Managers are the insurance experts when it comes to finding coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. You can trust us to use our vast experience and strong network of industry connections to find the life insurance you want and need! Although obtaining income protection with Lupus is significantly more difficult than life insurance, it is still often possible.
Simply fill out the questionnaire below and one of our life insurance specialists will be in touch with you shortly to discuss your options.
Lupus In Australia
Approximately one in 700 Australians are affected by lupus. The cause of lupus is unknown, and unlike many illnesses, this disease does not just affect those usually considered at risk (e.g. infants, elderly and those with unhealthy lifestyles).
Lupus most commonly affects women, with only 1 in 10 sufferers being male. And, its onset usually occurs in sufferers when they are between 20 to 50 years of age.
Lupus takes four forms:
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): This is the most common of all the types of lupus.
- Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE): This chronic skin condition results in painful red rashes that don’t go away.
- Drug-induced lupus: Some medications can induce SLE symptoms, and this form of lupus is more likely to affect men.
- Neonatal lupus: This rare form affects newborn babies or foetuses.
Symptoms
The symptoms of lupus are different in each individual, and they fluctuate depending on whether the disease is active or in remission.
Common lupus symptoms include:
- Skin rashes on the face and body
- Sensitivity to the sun
- Pain in muscles and joints
- Pale or purple digits
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Mouth and nose ulcers
- Swollen glands
- Chest pain
- Anaemia
- Kidney problems
- Seizures or vision problems
- Fever
Although finding the right cover for your condition can be difficult, it’s not impossible. At Special Risk Managers, we’ll help you find your best life insurance options for lupus. We’ll explore your different options and find affordable and comprehensive cover according to the severity of your condition. This way, you’re less likely to pay unnecessary premiums and fees.
Call us on 1300 665 356 to get started. We’re experts at helping patients find appropriate life insurance, trauma insurance, total & permanent disability cover, and income protection insurance for special and difficult conditions.
Life Insurance, Trauma Insurance, and Income Protection For Lupus
Lupus Life Insurance
The way lupus progresses is largely unknown, which is why it is so important that those affected by the disease get life insurance protection as soon as they can – especially if they have received a late diagnosis.
Life insurance companies will use the following information to determine what level of protection they will offer you and at what rate:
- How long you’ve had the condition and how old you were when you were diagnosed
- The type of lupus you have
- Which body parts are affected
- What medication history and usage
- Your remission and recurrence history
If you are taking all the steps you can to manage your condition and maintain a healthy lifestyle, you’ll have a much wider range of life insurance options available to you.
Trauma Insurance
Because lupus affects your immune system, being diagnosed with another illness – even if it is a relatively insignificant problem for other people – can have severe implications for your overall health.
That’s why trauma insurance is vital for those affected by lupus. This type of insurance pays out a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a “critical illness” (as defined by the insurer).
This money can be used to pay for the treatment “gap” left by your health insurer, to help you maintain your lifestyle while you can’t work temporarily, or to make you more comfortable while you recover. And, it can be paid in conjunction with both TPD and income protection payments.
Income Protection Insurance
This type of insurance is highly recommended for lupus sufferers, as you never know when lupus can take a turn for the worse or if an additional strain on your system will significantly affect you.
Income protection insurance safeguards you against the possibility that you might not be able to work, paying you up to 75% of your regular monthly income.
Total and Permanent Disability Insurance
In the unfortunate circumstance where doctors advise you that you’ll never be able to return to your regular occupation or worse yet, work at all, you need to have a plan in place to protect you and your family.
Total and permanent disability (TPD) insurance will pay you a lump sum benefit if, due to illness or accident, you’re unable to work. This benefit will help you pay off major debts such as mortgages and medical bills as well as make any changes needed to accommodate your new life with a permanent disability.
Find The Right Cover Today
If lupus has prevented you from getting a life insurance policy or other life insurance products that you need, the search is over. Special Risk Managers will take the struggle out of finding the best lupus life insurance coverage at the right price.
We have worked with scores of lupus sufferers over the years and know where to look for a fair life insurance policy. We’ll advise you as to the level of coverage you really need, where you can find this coverage, and how to have the best chance at an approved application.
Our team of industry leading experts believe that everyone should have access to the protection and security of life insurance, so get in touch today and we’ll get you moving in the right direction.
Simply pick up the phone and dial 1300 66 53 56 to talk to one of our insurance specialists, or send your enquiry to [email protected].