When protein shows up in the urine specimen of an insurance exam, most insurance companies will either charge more, decline or postpone you for this issue.
Getting life insurance with protein in urine is still possible, but it really depends on many factors.
The amount of protein or albumin in your urine, what’s causing the protein to show up, your age, and your kidney function or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) will all be factors in the rate for which you’ll qualify, if you qualify at all.
Proteinuria is a general term for the presence of increased amounts of protein in the urine.
Microalbuminuria refers to very small amounts of albumin or protein in urine, and it can mean you’re starting to have kidney issues.
What Causes Protein In Urine?
The most concerning possibility or cause of protein in urine is kidney disease or even multiple myeloma.
Other causes of higher than normal protein in urine include recent illness, urinary tract infection, high stress, fever, strenuous exercise or dehydration, but these should only cause temporary elevations which should go away on a future urine specimen.
There is also a condition called orthostatic proteinuria for which protein levels rise after a person is in a standing position. This diagnosis must be made by a physician who’s taken urine collections prior to you rising from bed, which would be normal. After this diagnosis, you should have no problem qualifying for a decent rate.
What To Do if Protein Or Albumin Shows Up In Urine
If you’ve never had this issue in the past, then you need to obtain a copy of your lab results and discuss with your doctor.
Have at least two more urine specimens taken at different times to verify this was not a one time issue.
If it was a fluke, then show the two good urine specimens to your insurance agent and ask them to go back to original company for an offer now.
If you do still have an issue with protein/albumin in urine, then this could be the beginning stage of kidney disease.
Stages 1, 2, and 3 kidney disease may possibly be insurable, depending on your age, stability of kidney functions over time, and your overall health otherwise.
Best Life Insurance Rate with Protein in Urine
If you only have protein in your urine, kidney disease has been ruled out or is determined to be no worse than stage 1, 2, or 3, and your kidney functions have remained stable for some period of time, then you may still be insurable…
Standard or Regular rates will be likely best case scenario rates, and you could also be “rated” or charged more.
Below is a chart with the possible rating you can expect if you do have higher than normal protein in your urine and you’re not a diabetic:
Protein (mg/dl) Rating
30 – 50 Stnd – Table 2
51 – 125 Table 3 – Table 4
126 – 200 Table 5 – Table 7
201+ Decline
If you do have diabetes and protein in your urine, then the rating could be higher. You’re also more likely to be declined for having both diabetes and protein in urine, you should probably go with a company that focuses on diabetic life insurance.
What Could Life Insurance Actually Cost with Protein in Urine?
Below is the monthly cost for $250,000 of 20 year guaranteed level premium life insurance for a male and female at various ages and rate classifications from Standard to Table 8:
Standard Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7 Table 8
Male Age 40: $32 $40 $46 $52 $58 $64 $70 $76
Male Age 50: $76 $93 $108 $123 $138 $152 $167 $181
Male Age 60: $200 $243 $283 $323 $363 $403 $443 $482
Male Age 70: $611 $782 $868 $953 $1039 $1125 $1210 $1296
Standard Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7 Table 8
Female Age 40: $28 $34 $39 $44 $48 $53 $58 $63
Female Age 50: $53 $71 $83 $94 $105 $116 $127 $138
Female Age 60: $141 $173 $201 $229 $257 $286 $314 $342
Female Age 70: $443 $601 $701 $800 $899 $999 $1099 $1198
Remember that 10 and 15 year plans will cost less than the 20 year rates above, as would rates at a lower amount of life insurance.
Protein in Urine- What We Need to Know
Ideally, we’ll need to see your most recent blood and urine results.
You can fax (215-836-0828) or click to email us a copy of your lab results.
Feel free to remove your name from the lab results you send to us for privacy, but make sure we know who you are with your DOB, state of residence, and any other health issues.
In lieu of sending us a copy of your labs, we’d need to know the following information from your labs:
Urine Protein
Urine Creatinine
Urine Protein/Creatinine Ratio
Urine Microalbumuin
Urine Microalbumin/Creatinine Ratio
Blood GFR (glomerular filtration rate)
Bottom Line
Most cases that involve protein in urine are for people with diabetes or borderline blood sugar issues, based on our experience.
We have occasionally shopped cases for people who are otherwise very healthy, no diabetes, and with a history of protein in urine that have had a full nephrology evaluation which showed no evidence of kidney disease. These cases get the best offers!
Even when kidney disease is ruled out, Preferred rates may still be tough to obtain, but we always fight for the best offers possible!
Make sure your agent also fights to get you the best offer or give us a shot.
We shop tough cases everyday, so please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-380-3533, click here to email us, or just make a quote request using the form to the right. We’ll email you with some quotes and information.
See all our articles on life insurance for diabetics:
- No Medical Exam Life Insurance for Diabetics
- Adult Onset Diabetic Life Insurance
- Why Can’t I Get a Preferred Diabetic Life Insurance Rate?
- Life Insurance with Protein in Urine
- Tough Diabetic Life Insurance Cases
- Strategy For Diabetics To Get Best Life Insurance Rate