Pulmonary Sequestration Life Insurance in 2026: IUL and GUL Options

Yes, You Can Get Life Insurance with Pulmonary Sequestration

If you have been diagnosed with pulmonary sequestration, you are probably wondering whether permanent life insurance is even possible. The short answer is yes. Whether your sequestration was identified in childhood, discovered incidentally on imaging, or required surgical correction, carriers do approve applicants with this condition regularly. You will likely pay more than someone without it, but the goal is finding the carrier that views your specific situation most favorably.

Why Pulmonary Sequestration Affects Your Rates

From an underwriter’s perspective, pulmonary sequestration involves abnormal lung tissue that receives blood supply from a systemic artery rather than the pulmonary arteries. This matters because it can affect overall lung function, may have required surgery, and carries a small ongoing risk of infection or complications in the affected tissue.

The good news is that many people with pulmonary sequestration live completely normal lives, especially after surgical correction. Underwriters recognize this. Their concern is less about the sequestration itself and more about how it has affected your overall health, whether complications have occurred, and what your current pulmonary function looks like.

What Underwriters Evaluate for Pulmonary Sequestration

Every carrier uses a slightly different checklist, but these are the factors that determine whether you land at Table 2 or Table 6.

• Whether the sequestration was surgically removed or is still present
• Your current pulmonary function test results
• Any history of recurrent infections in the affected lung tissue
• Time since diagnosis and any surgical intervention
• Whether you have any related complications or comorbid conditions
• Your most recent specialist evaluation (ideally within 12 months)
• Imaging reports showing current status of the affected area
• Overall lung function and exercise capacity

When we help clients in this situation, the single biggest factor is usually whether surgical correction was performed and how long ago. A sequestration that was resected five or more years ago with normal lung function afterward is viewed very differently from one that is still present and causing recurrent pneumonias.

How Table Ratings Work in Real Dollars

Table ratings sound intimidating until you understand the math. Each “table” adds roughly 25% to the standard premium. So Table 1 means 25% above standard, Table 2 means 50% above, and Table 4 means 100% above (double the standard rate).

For a 40 year old looking at a $500,000 GUL policy, standard rates might run around $250 per month. At Table 2, that becomes roughly $375 per month. At Table 4, you are looking at approximately $500 per month. The difference between tables is real money over the life of a permanent policy, which is exactly why where you apply matters so much.

Pulmonary Sequestration and IUL: Indexed Universal Life Options

An indexed universal life policy ties your cash value growth to a market index while protecting against losses with a guaranteed floor. For someone with pulmonary sequestration, IUL can be an attractive option because the cash value component adds a living benefit to your coverage. If your condition is well managed (especially post surgery with good pulmonary function), many carriers will offer IUL with a moderate table rating. The key is that IUL premiums are flexible, so even with a table rating, you can adjust your premium payments as your financial situation evolves.

Pulmonary Sequestration and GUL: Guaranteed Universal Life Coverage

Guaranteed universal life is designed for permanent, locked in protection at the lowest possible cost. If your primary goal is a death benefit that lasts your entire lifetime without worrying about cash value or market performance, GUL is often the better fit. For applicants with pulmonary sequestration, GUL pricing tends to be more straightforward because there is no investment component for the carrier to factor in. A GUL policy at Table 2 from the right carrier can be surprisingly affordable, and the guarantee means your premium never changes regardless of future health developments.

Why an Independent Agency Makes a Bigger Difference for Rated Cases

Here is where working with the right agency becomes a financial decision, not just a convenience. Different carriers can rate pulmonary sequestration two to four tables apart for the exact same health profile. One carrier might see a surgically corrected sequestration with normal lung function and offer Table 2. Another might default to Table 4 for any history of lung abnormality. That gap could mean thousands of dollars over the life of your 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. We bring that same thoroughness to every case. Because we are independent and work with dozens of carriers, we can submit your application where it will receive the most favorable review. For rated cases like pulmonary sequestration, this carrier matching process is where the real savings happen.

Positioning Yourself for the Best Possible Rating

Before you apply, gather these items to give your application the strongest foundation.

• Your most recent pulmonary function tests
• Surgical reports if your sequestration was resected
• Current imaging showing the status of your lungs
• Records from your pulmonologist or specialist within the past 12 months
• Documentation of any infections or complications (and how they resolved)
• A current medication list with dosages

Timing matters too. If you recently had surgery, waiting until you have at least 12 months of clean follow up results can move you from Table 4 territory down to Table 2. However, do not wait indefinitely. Every year you delay means you are older when you apply, and age alone increases premiums. The best time to apply is when your condition is stable and well documented.

Common Mistakes That Cost You Money

The most frequent mistake we see is applicants being vague about their diagnosis. “Lung condition” on an application triggers more questions and delays. Stating “intralobar pulmonary sequestration, surgically resected in 2019, normal PFTs since” gives the underwriter exactly what they need to make a favorable decision.

Another costly error is not having recent specialist records available. When underwriters have to request records themselves, it slows the process and sometimes surfaces old notes that lack context. Providing current, organized documentation upfront gives you control of the narrative.

Some applicants also assume they should apply during a period when they are dealing with a respiratory infection or complication. Waiting a few months for everything to resolve and reflect in your medical records can make a meaningful difference in your rating.

Finally, many people assume rated coverage is “too expensive” and go without any protection at all. A $500,000 GUL policy at Table 2 for around $375 per month is roughly $12 per day. That is the cost of a family’s daily coffee run, but it protects everything your family has built.

FAQ

How much more does life insurance cost with pulmonary sequestration?

Most applicants with pulmonary sequestration receive a Table 1 through Table 4 rating, meaning premiums run 25% to 100% above standard rates. The exact rating depends on whether surgery was performed, current lung function, and which carrier you apply with. An independent agency shopping multiple carriers can often find a rating one to two tables lower than a single carrier agent.

Can I get approved for IUL or GUL with pulmonary sequestration?

Yes. Both IUL and GUL policies are available to applicants with pulmonary sequestration. Surgically corrected cases with stable lung function and no ongoing complications are routinely approved. Even applicants with uncorrected sequestration can qualify, though ratings may be higher.

How long after surgery should I wait to apply?

Ideally, wait at least 12 months after surgical correction so you have follow up imaging and pulmonary function tests showing recovery. This documentation of stability can significantly improve your table rating. Applying too soon after surgery often results in a higher rating that could have been avoided with patience.

Does being on medication for related complications affect my approval?

Medications for infection prevention or related respiratory management are not automatic disqualifiers. What matters most is whether your overall condition is controlled and stable. Long term stability on a single treatment regimen (two or more years) is viewed favorably. Frequent medication changes may signal to underwriters that the condition is not well managed, which can push ratings higher.

Protecting your family is not something that should wait for a “perfect” health profile. If you have pulmonary sequestration and want to explore IUL or GUL options, our team at Insurance By Heroes will shop your case across multiple carriers to find the best available rate. Every member of our team understands the value of service and protection because we have lived it. Let us put that experience to work for your family.

Related health conditions

The same table-rating and carrier-shopping approach applies to other diagnoses, including IUL and GUL options for pulmonary atresia, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension IUL and GUL insurance, Gastroschisis IUL and GUL life insurance, IUL and GUL life insurance with AFib and IUL and GUL options for subdural hematoma.