High-Risk Life Insurance Underwriting - What You Need to Know

If you've been denied life insurance, or were hit with a table rating or flat extra, you're not alone. But you still have options.

Whether you live with a health condition, work in a high-risk job, or participate in high-adrenaline hobbies, this guide explains how high-risk underwriting works, which life insurance companies are best, and what types of life insurance you should consider.

What is High-Risk Life Insurance?

High-risk life insurance is designed for people who don't fit the "perfect health" mold. That includes:

Pre-existing medical conditions
Past insurance denials
High-risk hobbies or occupations
If you've previously received a table rating or flat extra expense.

Insurers use underwriting to evaluate your risk level and decide what you'll pay. But here's the catch: not all companies underwrite risk the same way. That's where working with the right agent makes all the difference.

Common High-Risk Medical Conditions

We've written in-depth guides for dozens of high-risk medical conditions. Here are some of the most common:

Cancer History

Heart Conditions

Gastrointestinal

Endocrine & Metabolic

Neurological Conditions

Other Medical Risks

Non-Medical High-Risk Categories

It's not just your health that insurers look at. You may be considered high-risk for reasons like:

The best life insurance company depends on your medical history and current health.

How High-Risk Life Insurance Underwriting Works

Each life insurance company has its own set of underwriting rules. But here’s a breakdown of the most common approaches:

Accelerated Underwriting

No medical exam. Instead, insurers use prescription databases, MIB reports, and digital health records.

Best for: Relatively healthy applicants or well-managed conditions.

Medical Underwriting

A full paramed exam, labs, and medical records. Most traditional term policies use this method.

Best for: Applicants with known medical conditions or older ages.

Non-Medical Underwriting

Focuses on the non-health risk aspects of your application, such as scuba diving, flying planes, occupation, driving record, credit history, etc.

Field Underwriting

This is where we come in. We collect the right details upfront to avoid declines and find the most favorable carrier.

Best for: Everyone. It’s your shortcut to better rates.

Learn More About Specific Underwriting Topics

We've created detailed resources on how underwriting works, including: