The Aorta is the largest and most important artery in the human body. This aortic central "highway" provides our bodies with the oxygen-rich blood that we need to survive. It is a VERY big deal and diseases of the aorta are an even bigger deal because of the detrimental effect they can have on every system in the body and ultimately the overall health of the individual.

 

The Aorta is the single major blood vessel that leaves the heart after the left ventricle squeezes.  For this discussion, we are focusing only on the Aorta and we are going to assume that the Aortic valve is perfectly normal. 

 

 

In the figure shown to the left, you can see the major blood vessel - the Aorta - leaving the heart and heading north toward the head.  The Aorta then makes a sweeping arc, called the Aortic Arch.  You can see the other major blood vessels (Carotid Arteries to the brain) branching off this Aortic Arch before the Aorta sweeps south to the rest of the body, now changing names to the Thoracic Aorta.  Once the Aorta passes the diaphragm, it becomes the Abdominal Aorta.  This major pipeline for blood flow is branching off along the path south to supply the liver, pancreas, kidneys, well everything really, with blood containing nutrients and oxygen. 

 

Underwriting Importance

A Dilated Aorta, or increase in diameter, can be caused by many things.  Sustained high blood pressure and tobacco use are the most common causes of a Dilated Aorta.  You can have a dilated Ascending or Descending Aorta, Aortic Root, Aortic Arch, Thoracic and/or Abdominal Aorta.  A Dilated Aorta is a sign of abnormal stress on the main bloodstream distribution pipeline.  When this stress becomes too severe, the inner lining of the artery can weaken, causing a dissection (a tear within the wall of a blood vessel allowing blood to separate the wall layers) of the inner and middle layers of this blood vessel resulting in death.

 

An Aortic Aneurysm is defined as an Aorta which is dilated to greater than 1.5 times its normal size.  An aneurysm is a ballooning of the blood vessel, like a weak area of an old bicycle inner-tube, causing a bubble.  Many times, an Aortic Aneurysm does not have any symptoms unless it ruptures. If this aneurysm is on the main aortic pathway, and that "bubble" bursts (ruptures), death can happen within minutes. 

 

The larger the Aortic diameter or bulge, the more concern underwriters will have. SIZE DOES MATTER in determining the chances for rupture or dissection. For MILD, STABLE (at least 2 years) dilations annual monitoring is necessary. These conditions ARE insurable. But for more severe cases, surgical intervention is required, and insurability is considered once the client has fully recovered. While these are severe and life-threatening conditions, your clients may still be eligible for life insurance from a highly rated carrier at an affordable rate. 

 

Case Study:

A 63-year-old non-smoking male applied for $5M in Index Universal Life (IUL) coverage. He underwent open surgical repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm 7 months prior to informally applying for life insurance with AgencyONE. After review and evaluation of the medical records, AgencyONE directed the case to the ideal carrier for this impairment and desired product (Carrier A). We successfully negotiated a Table 2 for IUL coverage with an Annual Premium of $152, 426 and Target of $154,400.

 

The second-best carrier with a competitive IUL product and similar guarantees (Carrier B) offered a Table 6 with an Annual Premium of $180,460 - almost $30,000 higher than Carrier A!

 

Because Carrier A does NOT differentiate offers between Term and Permanent products, AgencyONE was able to place an ADDITIONAL $5M 20-year term Key-Person policy with Carrier A for an Annual Premium of $108,185. The Total Target for both policies was $262,585. 

 

Remember, each case is different with unique circumstances and histories. AgencyONE knows which carriers are best for considering your clients' specific cases. As you would expect, some carriers are more competitive with these conditions but, armed with the necessary information, AgencyONE can direct these cases properly and save your clients money . AgencyONE possesses the underwriting expertise and carrier knowledge and relationships to successfully underwrite your clients' cases.

 

Please call AgencyONE's Underwriting Department at 301.803.7500 for more information or to discuss a case.