Does Life Insurance Cover Drug Overdose?
Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email
If you’re looking for a life insurance policy, you might be wondering if it will payout in case of a drug overdose. Well, it depends. Most insurance companies will not pay the benefits if the policyholder dies due to an illegal drug overdose. But there are some exceptions.
The insurer looks at several factors when deciding whether they’ll pay or void the contract. These include:
- Was the overdose accidental or intentional
- Type of drug that was found in the decedent's system.
- Was the policyholder honest about drug use when applying for the insurance
When Can Life Insurance Deny an Overdose?
It used to be that life insurers wouldn’t cover people who engaged in dangerous and risky behaviors such as drug use. But that has since changed. If an individual is forthright about their drug use during the application, there is a chance that the life insurance policy will cover the drug overdose. However, if the policyholder didn’t disclose this information, the insurer can deny the claim.
Other instances when an insurer might deny payout of life insurance in an overdose include:
- Intentional overdose, or suicide: Most insurance companies will deny any overdose case that is deemed intentional. Especially, if the policyholder had just taken out the cover, the insurer may contest the claim.
- Illicit drugs: Most insurers will not cover any overdose from drugs not administered by licensed physicians. Most policies have clear exclusions on overdose from illegal and recreational drug use.
During an overdose, the insurer will often investigate if the drug overdose was accidental or intentional. If the overdose results from an unintentional double dose of narcotic painkiller or an improperly prescribed medication, the policy is highly likely to payout.
To prove that the death was accidental, the National Institute on Drug Abuse highlights that a coroner can record an unintentional drug death if:
- The decedent used excess prescription drugs accidentally. For instance, an overdose from prescription Oxycontin may be ruled as accidental.
- An erroneous prescription caused the death
- The decedent died after a drug was administered during a medical or surgical procedure
- Someone administered a drug to the decedent with the intent to cause harm.
So, in most cases, the policy will pay out if the policyholder dies from an overdose on a prescription drug or any other accidental overdose situation.
Can You Still Buy Life Insurance If You've Used Drugs?
Yes, it is possible to get life insurance if you’ve abused drugs in the past but have since stopped. When signing up for a life insurance cover, it is important that you are honest about your drug use history. Insurance companies have different guidelines that they follow to underwrite your application.
In some instances, a policyholder may get a prescription for highly addictive medications such as Oxycontin, Subutex, Naloxone, Suboxone, Buprenorphine, and Naltrexone years after taking a life insurance cover. An overdose from such prescription drugs will be considered as accidental death and probably have the benefits paid out.
Speak With an Insurance Professional Today
Does life insurance cover drug overdose? Well, the truth is, there is no silver bullet answer. It all depends on the circumstances that caused the death, and the company underwriting the cover.
If you’re considering taking a life insurance policy to protect your loved ones when you’re gone, you’ll want to take out a policy with a life insurance company that will be around for the foreseeable future. Michael Dunbar Insurance is a trusted life insurance provider with an outstanding record of protecting and providing for your loved ones when they need it most.
With over 20 years of experience, Michael Dunbar Insurance has qualified experts to guide you in the right direction to save you money and give you much-needed peace of mind. Call a trusted insurance company in New Orleans today for professional guidance and advice on an insurance product that is best suited for you.
Michael Dunbar
Share Your Thoughts
About Us
Michael Dunbar Insurance is a trusted insurance company in New Orleans that works with the insurance products that directly affect people.
Recent Posts
Follow Us
Michael Dunbar Insurance is a trusted insurance company in New Orleans that works with the insurance products that directly affect people.
Location
- Michael Dunbar Insurance
- 3445 N Causeway Blvd #313, Metairie, LA 70002
- (985) 607-4949
- Email Us!
- 9:00 am. - 7:00 pm. Mon - Fri & 10:00 am. - 2:00 pm. on Sat Closed on Sundays