Psoriasis and IUL Insurance: Your 2026 Guide to Getting Covered

Psoriasis Does Affect Your Life Insurance Rates, But Coverage Is Within Reach

Having psoriasis does not mean you will be denied life insurance. Carriers approve applicants with psoriasis every day, including for permanent products like IUL and guaranteed universal life (GUL). You may pay more than someone without the condition, but the extra cost is often smaller than people expect. And there are proven strategies to bring that cost down even further.

Why Psoriasis Matters to Life Insurance Underwriters

From an underwriter’s perspective, psoriasis signals an overactive immune system. That means the body is attacking its own tissues, and the treatments used to manage it can suppress immune function in other ways. Underwriters want to understand two things. First, how much of your body is affected and whether your joints are involved. Second, what medications you take and how well they are working.

Mild psoriasis that only affects the skin is treated very differently from psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which involves joint inflammation and carries a more complex risk profile. The percentage of body surface area affected also plays a direct role in your rating class.

What Underwriters Evaluate for Psoriasis and Indexed Universal Life

When you apply for an IUL policy with psoriasis, the underwriting team looks at a specific set of factors. Here is what moves the needle.

• Your exact diagnosis (skin only psoriasis vs. psoriatic arthritis)
• Current disease activity and whether you are in remission or experiencing active flares
• Your treatment plan, including whether you use biologics like Humira or Enbrel
• How long you have been stable on your current medication
• The percentage of body surface area involved
• Most recent dermatology or rheumatology evaluation
• Any hospitalizations or ER visits in the past two years
• Whether you have comorbid conditions alongside psoriasis

Applicants with mild, skin only psoriasis that is well controlled often land at standard rates or just one to two table ratings above standard. Those with psoriatic arthritis on biologic therapy who show good disease control typically see table ratings in the two to four range. Active, poorly controlled disease with frequent flares pushes ratings higher.

How Table Ratings Affect Your IUL Premium

Table ratings sound intimidating, but they follow a simple formula. Each table adds roughly 25% to your standard premium. Table 1 means 25% above standard. Table 2 means 50% above. Table 4 means double the standard rate.

For a 40 year old applying for a $500,000 IUL policy, a standard monthly premium might run around $350 per month. At Table 2, that increases to roughly $525 per month. At Table 4, you are looking at approximately $700 per month. These are meaningful differences, which is exactly why where you apply matters just as much as your health profile.

Psoriasis and Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL) Options

If your primary goal is a guaranteed death benefit with predictable premiums rather than cash value growth, a GUL policy may be a strong fit. Guaranteed universal life locks in a fixed premium for life and guarantees your death benefit as long as you pay on schedule.

For applicants with psoriasis, GUL can be especially attractive because the premiums are lower than IUL, making any table rating easier to absorb. A Table 2 rating on a GUL policy may still be more affordable than a standard IUL premium for the same death benefit. When we work with clients managing psoriasis, we often run quotes for both IUL and GUL side by side so you can see exactly what each option costs at your specific rating.

Why an Independent Agency Makes a Real Dollar Difference

This is where working with Insurance By Heroes changes the math in your favor. Different carriers can rate the same psoriasis profile two to four tables apart. One company might see your well controlled plaque psoriasis and offer Table 1, while another rates the identical case at Table 3. That gap can mean hundreds of dollars per month on a permanent life policy.

Insurance By Heroes was founded by a former first responder and military spouse, and every member of our team comes from a background in public service. That service first mindset means we treat every client’s application like a mission. Because we are independent, we are not locked into any single carrier. We shop your case across many carriers to find the one that views your specific psoriasis profile most favorably. That comparison shopping is the single biggest factor in reducing what you pay.

Positioning Yourself for the Best Possible Rate

Before you apply for an IUL or GUL policy, a few steps can meaningfully improve your outcome.

• Get a current evaluation from your dermatologist or rheumatologist (within the last 12 months)
• Gather documentation showing your treatment history, medication list with dosages, and disease activity status
• If you are on a biologic and it is working well, make sure your records reflect that stability
• Have blood work available, including CRP and ESR levels if your doctor tracks them
• Confirm that your records show consistent follow up appointments and medication compliance

Timing also matters. If you are in the middle of a flare, it is worth waiting for stability before applying. And if you are tempted to put off coverage entirely, consider this. Every year you wait means you are older, and age increases premiums regardless of health. Waiting also leaves your family unprotected during that gap.

Common Mistakes That Cost You Money

When we help clients with psoriasis apply for life insurance, we see certain errors come up again and again.

• Being vague about the diagnosis. Saying “autoimmune condition” or “skin condition” forces the underwriter to assume the worst. Be specific about your type of psoriasis.
• Assuming biologics are automatic declines. They are not. Humira, Enbrel, and similar medications are standard treatment. Underwriters know this. What they care about is whether the medication is controlling your disease.
• Not distinguishing between skin only psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. These are underwritten very differently, and failing to clarify can result in a worse rating than you deserve.
• Applying without recent specialist records. Underwriters need current documentation. Outdated records create uncertainty, and uncertainty always costs you money.
• Skipping the independent agency step. Applying directly to a single carrier is the most expensive mistake on this list. You are accepting whatever that one company decides without knowing if another would treat you better.

FAQ

How much more does life insurance cost with psoriasis?

It depends on severity. Mild, skin only psoriasis may add nothing or just 25% above standard rates (Table 1). Psoriatic arthritis on biologic therapy typically lands at Table 2 to 4, meaning 50% to 100% above standard. On a $500,000 GUL policy for a 40 year old, that could mean an extra $50 to $200 per month compared to a standard rate.

Can I get approved for an IUL policy with psoriasis?

Yes. The vast majority of psoriasis applicants are approved for IUL coverage. Mild controlled cases and those stable on biologic therapy are routinely approved. Even moderate cases with psoriatic arthritis typically qualify, though at a higher table rating. Outright declines are rare and usually involve severe, uncontrolled disease with significant complications.

Should I apply during a psoriasis flare?

If possible, wait until the flare subsides and your condition is stable again. Applying during active disease almost always results in a worse rating or a postponement. A few weeks of patience can save you years of higher premiums on a permanent life policy.

Does taking Humira or Enbrel hurt my life insurance application?

No. Biologic medications are standard care for moderate to severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Underwriters expect to see them. What matters is whether the biologic is controlling your condition effectively. Being stable on a single biologic for two or more years is actually a positive factor in underwriting because it shows predictable, well managed disease.

Your Next Step

Every day without coverage is a day your family is unprotected. Whether you are looking at an indexed universal life policy for cash value growth or a guaranteed universal life policy for locked in protection, our team at Insurance By Heroes is ready to shop your case across many carriers and find the company that will treat your psoriasis most favorably. Request a quote today and let us put our service first approach to work for your family.