Were you told that you have to wait 5 years or longer for life insurance due to cancer? Not with us.
Cancer Life Insurance Overview
- Cancer Patients
- Survivors
- Cancer FAQ
- Life Insurance by Type of Cancer
High-risk life insurance for cancer patients and survivors has improved tremendously.
Many people may now buy life insurance right after treatment.
There are even situations where a current cancer patient may qualify now.
Cancer Patients
Can you get insured if you have cancer?
Yes, there are a few situations where you may qualify for life insurance now.
Examples include:
- Basal cell skin cancer
- Squamous cell skin cancer
- Prostate cancer (stage 1 & 2, age 65+)
- Thyroid cancer (stage 1, age 65+)
Most people who currently have cancer will have to wait until after treatment to get life insurance.
Finally, the type of cancer and treatment determine when life insurance is available.
Targeted radiation therapy typically requires a 12 month postpone period,
Surgery by itself may only require 3 months.
Accidental death benefit and guaranteed issue policies may be worth a look in the interim.
Survivors
You made it through treatment and now need life insurance.
In some cases, you may qualify for life insurance within a few months of completing all treatment.
For others, there will be a longer postpone period (see below).
The waiting period depends on many factors, including:
- What type of cancer did you have?
- When were you diagnosed with cancer?
- What was the cancer stage?
- What was the cancer grade?
- How was cancer treated?
- When did you complete all treatment?
- Has there been any recurrence?
- Do you have any other pre-existing conditions?
- Is there any family history of cancer?
Postpone Period by Cancer Stage
Here are some general guidelines for postpone periods.
| Cancer Stage | Treatment | Minimum Postpone Period |
| Stage 1 | Surgery Only | 3-12 months |
| Stage 1 | Surgery & Radiation/Chemo | 12 months |
| Stage 2 | All Treatments | 12 months (1) |
| Stage 3 | All Treatments | 5 Years (2) |
| Stage 4 | All Treatments | G. I. Policy (3) |
(2) Longer for some breast, lymphoma, bladder cancers
(3) Guaranteed issue policies are the only option available.
Keep in mind that your medical history may have a shorter or longer postpone period.
In addition, some life insurers charge a “flat extra” expense that may last from 1-20 years.
Cancer Remission
If you had leukemia, Hodgkin’s or Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, underwriting looks for a complete remission.
Companies require 3-5 years after treatment before coverage is available.
Most policies will require a table rating and a flat extra.
Can you get life insurance if cancer has returned?
Recurrence is the most complicated medical history to get through underwriting, as many factors are considered:
- Type – What type of cancer did you originally have?
- Is recurrent cancer the same type as your original cancer?
- Pathology – What does the pathology report say?
- What type of treatment did you receive?
- When was the original treatment completed?
- Has cancer spread to lymph nodes or other organs?
- When did you complete recurrent cancer treatment?
- What else do your medical records indicate?
Life insurers’ postpone period is 5-10 years after completion of treatment the second time around.
Life insurance is considered on a case by case basis.
It will involve a table rating and a flat extra expense.
Diagnosed with cancer after purchasing life insurance?
If you’re diagnosed with cancer after you have purchased a policy, you’re insured.
Life insurance companies won’t terminate your policy or reduce the death benefit after the fact.
If you died within the contestability period of the policy, insurers review your medical history.
Your beneficiary will receive the proceeds after review.
Life Insurance for Terminal Cancer Patients
If you have terminal cancer, a guaranteed issue policy may be available.
Keep in mind that the policy will be a graded benefit life insurance policy.
Your beneficiaries would only receive the premiums you paid plus interest.
A graded benefit pays the full death benefit if death occurs after the graded period ( 2-3 years) has passed.
Existing life insurance with terminal cancer
Many life insurance policies contain an accelerated death benefit provision.
You receive a portion of the death benefit now while living.
Upon death, the balance of your policy is paid to your beneficiary.
Cancer FAQ
The most common questions are:
Life insurance is typically limited to guaranteed issue life insurance and accidental death insurance for most people.
You can get life insurance after cancer, although the postpone period will depend on the type of cancer, stage, treatment, etc.
Yes, life insurance policies cover cancer if you buy a policy and are later diagnosed with cancer.
A family history of cancer does not affect life insurance if you work with the correct life insurance companies.
The best life insurer depends on the type of malignancy, the severity, and the treatment you received.
Cancer Conclusion
We match you with the best life insurance companies based on your individual cancer history.
We use a quick quote process with our clients to ensure we reach all of the competitive companies.
It takes about 3 days to hear back from companies.
The benefit is that the quotes you receive from us are accurate based on the type and severity of your cancer history.
There is no pressure and no obligation with our service.
Please take a few minutes to submit your quote request today.
Thank you.
Michael J Horbal
I’m the owner of RiskQuoter. We specialize in life insurance underwriting, helping you get the best rates whether you have perfect health or a history of medical problems.
Last Updated – February 12, 2021