Been denied life insurance or worried you won’t qualify?
You still have options – if you apply to the right company.
High-risk life insurance is for people who don’t fit the “perfect health” profile. This includes people with medical conditions, risky occupations, or even past application declines.
The good news is that many people with health conditions still qualify for affordable coverage once the right insurance company reviews their case.
This guide explains how high-risk life insurance works, how underwriting decisions are made, and which life insurance companies are often the most competitive for high-risk applicants.
What Is High-Risk Life Insurance?
High-risk life insurance refers to coverage for applicants who represent a higher-than-average risk to insurers. This may include:
- Pre-existing medical conditions (cancer, heart disease, diabetes, etc.)
- Risky occupations (salvage divers, miners, some aviation occupations)
- Hazardous hobbies (skydiving, scuba diving, mountain climbing)
- Lifestyle risks (smoking, DUI history)
- Prior life insurance declines
Each insurance company evaluates risk differently, which is why one company may decline you while another offers you affordable life insurance.
How High-Risk Life Insurance Affects Underwriting
Life insurance underwriting is the process by which companies assess your risk. If you fall into a high-risk category, underwriters look closely at:
- Severity of your condition
- Stability and treatment history
- Medications and compliance
- Time since diagnosis or last event
- Overall current health profile
For example:
- Someone with well-controlled diabetes could get standard rates, while others with less control may be rated or decline.
- A recent heart attack survivor may get postponed if they apply too soon, but if they wait the right amount of time, they can get affordable rates.
- A cancer survivor may have a 5-year waiting period with one company, but be insurable in 6 months with the right company.
The difference often comes down to applying to the right company at the right time, and that’s where we can help you.
Common Underwriting Questions
When applying for high-risk life insurance, expect questions like:
- What was your exact diagnosis?
- When were you diagnosed?
- How was the condition treated?
- Have you completed all treatment?
- Do you visit your physician regularly for checkups?
- What medications and dosages do you take?
With some medical conditions, we can provide you with quotes on the spot. For other conditions, we use a “Quick Quote” process in which we summarize your health history and shop multiple companies for underwriting feedback.
A Quick Quote takes 2-3 days to receive all underwriting feedback. We’ll then provide you with quotes and explain underwriting terms, such as table ratings and flat extra premiums that may apply.
The benefit is that you’ll know what to expect in terms of pricing and which companies are best for you before you apply.
Life Insurance by Condition
Many visitors want to know one thing first:
How will my specific medical condition affect life insurance approval?
Explore the guides below to see how insurance companies evaluate different health conditions.
Heart Conditions
- Heart Conditions Overview
- Angina Life Insurance
- Aortic Aneurysm Life Insurance
- Aortic Stenosis Life Insurance
- Atrial Fibrillation Life Insurance
- Bypass Surgery Life Insurance
- Cardiomyopathy Life Insurance
- Heart Attack Life Insurance
- Heart Blocks Life Insurance
- Heart Tests Life Insurance
- High Blood Pressure Life Insurance
- Mitral Valve Life Insurance
- Pacemakers Life Insurance
- Pulmonary Embolism Life Insurance
Cancer History
- Cancer History Overview
- Bladder Cancer Life Insurance
- Breast Cancer Life Insurance
- Cervical Cancer Life Insurance
- Colon Cancer Life Insurance
- Kidney Cancer Life Insurance
- Leukemia Life Insurance
- Lymphoma Life Insurance
- Melanoma & Other Skin Cancers Life Insurance
- Prostate Cancer Life Insurance
- Testicular Cancer Life Insurance
- Thyroid Cancer Life Insurance
Diabetes & Endocrine
Gastrointestinal
- GI Conditions Overview
- Barrett’s Esophagus Life Insurance
- Crohn’s Disease Life Insurance
- Elevated Liver Enzymes Life Insurance
- Hepatitis Life Insurance
- Ulcerative Colitis Life Insurance
Neurological Conditions
- Epilepsy Life Insurance
- Multiple Sclerosis Life Insurance
- Parkinson’s Disease Life Insurance
- Stroke Life Insurance
Other Medical Risks
- Anemia Life Insurance
- Asthma Life Insurance
- COPD Life Insurance
- High Cholesterol Life Insurance
- HIV Positive Life Insurance
- Kidney Disease Life Insurance
- Mental Health Life Insurance
- Rheumatoid Arthritis Life Insurance
- Sleep Apnea Life Insurance
- Life Insurance After Weight Loss or Gain
High-Risk Occupations and Hobbies
It’s not just your health that insurers look at. You may be considered high-risk for reasons like:
In addition, certain occupations may require extra ratings.
Best Companies for High-Risk Applicants
Not every insurance company evaluates medical conditions the same way. Some companies specialize in applicants with complex health histories and may offer significantly better underwriting decisions.
Commonly competitive insurers include:
Each company has different underwriting guidelines, which is why shopping multiple insurance companies is important.
Policy Types for High-Risk Applicants
Applicants with medical conditions may qualify for most types of life insurance policies.
- Term Life Insurance – Often the most affordable option.
- Universal Life Insurance – Permanent coverage with flexible premiums.
- Whole Life Insurance – Permanent insurance with cash value accumulation.
- Final Expense & Burial Insurance – Smaller policies to cover final expenses.
We have companies for all of these types of policies, and will show you the best options available based on your health.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Approval
Several factors can improve the odds of life insurance approval.
- Apply after medical conditions stabilize
- Follow recommended treatment plans
- Maintain regular doctor visits
- Provide a detailed medical history during the application
- Work with a broker familiar with impaired risk underwriting.
Timing and company selection make a significant difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get life insurance with a medical condition?
Yes. Many people with medical conditions qualify for life insurance. Insurance companies evaluate factors such as diagnosis date, treatment history, medications, and how well the condition is managed.
What is considered high-risk life insurance?
High-risk life insurance refers to applicants with medical conditions, dangerous jobs or avocations that increase mortality risk.
Which life insurance companies are best for high-risk applicants?
Some companies are better than others when it comes to underwriting medical conditions. Prudential, Lincoln Financial, Banner Life, John Hancock, and Protective Life are just a few of the companies that do well with high-risk.
What if I don’t see my medical condition listed here?
We can still help you. We continue to update our website with health conditions regularly, but our underwriting expertise far exceeds what we’ve written so far.
What if I was previously declined?
A prior decline doesn’t mean you are uninsurable. In fact, many times the problem was applying to the wrong company.
Final Thoughts
Many people assume that a medical condition automatically disqualifies them from life insurance. In reality, underwriting decisions vary widely between insurance companies.
Take a few minutes to request your no-pressure, no-obligation life insurance quote today.