Jason called me one afternoon, saying, "Frank, I've tried three different insurance companies to get a medical plan for my autistic son, and all attempts have failed! Is it true that autism can't qualify for a medical plan?"
I told Jason, "I admire your determination. Let's review your case." After hearing his story, I realised that his son's condition wasn't as severe as he thought. I encouraged him to try again with the insurance company I represented. He looked at me doubtfully, asking, "Seriously, can your company accept this?" I told him, as a Purpose-Driven Insurance Advisor, "Let the experts do their job!" We submitted the application with all the necessary facts to insurance company, letting the underwriter assess the case.
To our surprise, the insurer approved the medical plan without any exclusions. Jason was ecstatic but initially skeptical. After thoroughly explaining the offer letter and clarifying certain terms and clauses, he finally accepted it. I understood his reaction—after all, the outcomes of his previous three applications had been disappointing. One agent even told him it wasn't worth applying, as the chances were too low.
Readers, I want to emphasize that every autism case is different. There's no standard approach. Even if the chances seem slim, don't lose hope. Let the underwriter make the final decision. As agents, we can't predict the outcome based solely on our experience. Underwriters have specialized tools and criteria to assess each case professionally.
What is Underwriter?
Imagine you're applying for life insurance. Instead of the company just saying "yes" or "no," they have someone check if you're a good bet. That person is the underwriter.
They look at things like your age, health, lifestyle (like smoking or dangerous hobbies), and family medical history. Based on this information, they decide if the company should insure you and how much it should charge you.
It's like betting on a horse race. The underwriter is figuring out how likely you are to "win" (die), and setting the price of the bet (your premium) accordingly. So, basically, underwriters help the insurance company make sure they're taking fair risks.
Hindsight:
Since underwriters are well-trained professionals, and insurers pay them to do the job, there's no harm in submitting your application. Let them do their job. If you're not satisfied, you can eventually get a refund of your premium. Nothing to lose, right?