You take care of your health, so it’s frustrating to hear your family’s medical history could hurt your life insurance rates. But here’s the truth—it can, depending on the company you apply with.
The good news? Some life insurance companies don’t weigh family history as heavily, and we know who they are.
This guide breaks down:
- Which conditions matter most (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc)
- How different insurers treat family history
- What to do if you’re over 60, adopted, or just don’t know your family background.
Let’s dig in.
How Life Insurance Companies Use Family Medical History
When applying for term life, universal life, or whole life coverage, companies consider:
- Your health and paramedical exam results
- Lifestyle and habits
- Your parents’ and siblings’ medical history (not grandparents, cousins, or spouse)
These details help underwriters estimate your future health risks, especially for conditions with a genetic component.
Important: Family history is only a factor if you are trying to get a “preferred best” or “preferred” rate. Family history is a non-factor if you have a high-risk medical condition.
Heart Disease in Your Family
Heart disease is the #1 family-related underwriting concern.
If a Parent Had Heart Disease
- Died before 60-65? Most insurers will disqualify you from the best rates.
- Diagnosed early but still living? Some life insurers still penalize you.
- Over 60? Some carriers disregard family history entirely.
Insider Tip: Pacific Life uses age 50 as its cutoff, not 60, making them more lenient than other companies.
Parental heart disease has the most significant effect on your underwriting. The best company depends on whether your parent died from a heart condition and at what age they died.
Real World Rate Example:
- Male, Age 40, in excellent health. The father died of a heart attack at age 55. Applying for $500,000 20-year term life insurance:
- Pacific Life – Preferred Best – $335 annually.
- Prudential – Preferred – $515 annually.
- Banner Life – Standard Plus – $542 annually
- Mutual of Omaha – Standard Plus – $698
- Lincoln Financial – Standard – $706
Lesson: The wrong company could double your cost.
Sibling Heart Disease
Underwriting is usually less strict, but it depends:
- Death before 60-65? Some insurers penalize
- Just a diagnosis? Not a problem with the right companies
- Again, most companies stop caring once you reach the age of 60-65.
Cancer in Your Family
Cancer matters, but insurers are more flexible than with heart disease, and preferred best life insurance rate classes are available with the right companies.
Parent Cancer History
- Died before 60 – 65? You may still qualify for the best rates with companies like Banner Life and John Hancock.
- Still living or diagnosed late? It will often have no impact at all.
- Gender-specific cancers? (e.g., ovarian or prostate) Only relevant if you share the same gender.
If your parents’ cancer was due to cigarette smoking, we can use that to get an underwriting exception.
Sibling Cancer History
- Died before age 60 – 65? Rarely a factor against your underwriting.
- Still living? It will not affect your life insurance rate.
As researchers better understand the genetic link among cancer histories of family members, we expect more companies will improve their underwriting.
Diabetes in Your Family
Most companies ignore a family history of diabetes, unless the parent died before 60 – 65. Even then, most companies do not hold that against you.
Stroke in Your Family
Like diabetes, only a few carriers will stop you from getting the best rate classes if your parent or sibling dies from a stroke or brain aneurysm.
From experience, there are enough companies available that won’t hold this against you.
What If You’re Over 60?
If you’ve made it this far without the same health issues as your relatives, many companies are willing to overlook your family history altogether.
Some insurers disregard family history entirely for applicants age 60 or older.
What If You Don’t Know Your Family History?
- Adopted? Most companies waive the family history requirement.
- Don’t know the medical history? Again, most companies will waive the family history requirement.
Don’t Lie – It’s Not Worth It
You might be tempted to downplay your family history. Don’t.
Here’s why:
- Medical exams and records often include this info.
- Discrepancies appear in MIB reports and doctors’ notes.
- It may cause delays in underwriting.
It also creates a contestable life insurance policy that companies can use to deny a claim.
Bottom Line: There are plenty of companies available that offer the best rates if you otherwise qualify.
How We Help You Navigate Family History Issues
When we talk, we’ll:
- Ask detailed questions about your family’s medical history.
- Cross-reference dozens of insurers’ guidelines
- Quote you accurately so there are no surprises.
- Show you all life insurance options – term, universal, whole life – and explain them in plain English.
We also consider conversion options in case you decide to convert your policy to permanent insurance in the future.
FAQs About Life Insurance and Family History
Yes. Especially for heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, but only if a parent or sibling died early.
Only your parents and siblings. Grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins are not considered.
Tell us. Most insurers won’t penalize you.
Yes—with the right insurer. That’s why who you apply with matters more than you think.
You have questions about how family history affects life insurance; we have the answers!
Final Words
Family history can impact your life insurance rates—but it doesn’t have to wreck them.
We’ll help you:
- Understand which conditions matter
- Choose the right company based on your background
- Get you the best rate available – no pressure, no obligation service
Get started now by requesting a free quote. Let’s find the best policy for you
