Can a person be denied life insurance?

Asked by: Sandra Bednar  |  Last update: November 1, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (71 votes)

If you're denied life insurance, take comfort in the fact that you're not alone—and that there are options. People are typically denied life insurance because they fall into a high-risk category. This is often due to health challenges like diabetes, obesity or a previous diagnosis of serious disease.

Why would someone get denied life insurance?

A life insurance application may be denied if you have high-risk medical conditions, dangerous hobbies, or if you left important information off your application. You may also be ineligible for certain policies due to advanced age.

Can my life insurance claim be denied?

Life insurance claims get rejected if the policyholder had been a part of hazardous activities or if he/she dies of a pre-existing disease. Insurers very minutely check the cause of death. Deaths due to natural calamities, terrorist attacks or homicides are generally not covered by insurance policies.

What do they check for life insurance?

What does a life insurance medical exam test for? The life insurance medical exam records your height, weight, and blood pressure. It uses blood and urine tests to screen for any health conditions, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Do you have to be approved for life insurance?

Most life insurance policies require that you answer medical questions and submit to a medical exam. The younger and healthier you are, the lower the premiums will be. "No-exam" policies exist, but they usually cost more and have a lower face value.

Why your life insurance application was denied & what to do about it

19 related questions found

What disqualifies life insurance payout?

Life insurance covers death due to natural causes, illness, and accidents. However, the insurance company can deny paying out your death benefit in certain circumstances, such as if you lie on your application, engage in risky behaviors, or fail to pay your premiums. Here's what you need to know.

What to do if you get denied life insurance?

What to Do if You're Denied Life Insurance
  1. Ask for More Information. ...
  2. Review Your Case. ...
  3. Check With Your Workplace. ...
  4. Reach Out to a Life Insurance Agent. ...
  5. Allow for a Waiting Period. ...
  6. Apply Again, But for a Different Policy. ...
  7. Don't Give Up.

Do life insurance companies know your medical history?

They may investigate your medical history to find out if you had any undisclosed illnesses, conditions, medications, or surgeries they can use to rescind your policy due to alleged misrepresentation. If the policy is rescinded, the life insurance company won't pay.

What are five things not covered by life insurance?

What are five things not covered by life insurance? The five things not covered by life insurance are preexisting conditions, accidents that occur while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, suicide, criminal activity, and death due to a high-risk activity, such as skydiving, and war or acts of terrorism.

Is there a drug test for life insurance?

Traditional life insurance policies require a medical exam, which includes the collection of a blood and urine sample, as part of the underwriting process. A urine test will reveal drugs, nicotine, and other health issues. The exam is paid for by the insurance company as part of the underwriting process.

Who can be denied life insurance?

Your health history, age, job, and even finances are all reasons you can get denied life insurance coverage. Find out what you can do if this happens to get the protection you need. If you've decided that you need life insurance, the next step is to secure coverage.

How often does life insurance get denied?

How often do life insurance companies deny claims? Less than 1% of the time. If the policyholder was honest on the application and paid their premiums, there should be no issues. Can I dispute a life insurance claim denial?

Can you be denied life insurance for anxiety?

The riskier your health and lifestyle is, the more you'll pay for life insurance. If the company thinks you're too risky to insure, they'll deny you coverage. Not all mental health conditions are looked at the same way. For instance, a severe condition of anxiety or depression can disqualify you from life insurance.

Which cases is likely to be declined by a life insurer?

These are the nine most common reasons why you're not approved for a life insurance policy.
  • Medical issues. The list below is not exhaustive. ...
  • Hazardous occupation. Not everyone works a low-risk desk job. ...
  • Financial reasons. ...
  • Lifestyle choices. ...
  • Lab results. ...
  • Driving record. ...
  • Criminal record. ...
  • Foreign travel.

Can you be denied life insurance for bad credit?

In some cases, having negative information on your credit report can cause an insurance company to deny your application for a policy outright, regardless of how healthy you are. If you're in the midst of bankruptcy proceeding, for instance, you might have a hard time getting an insurance company to offer you coverage.

Can overweight people get life insurance?

Weight is only one of the many factors life insurers use to determine your eligibility and risk. In many cases, if you're overweight but otherwise healthy, you'll qualify for a policy with a relatively low rate. If you have weight-related or other health complications, you may pay more for coverage.

What type of death is not covered in life insurance?

What kinds of deaths are not covered by life insurance? If you intentionally lie on your life insurance application, die committing an illegal act, or die while engaging in a hazardous activity that's excluded by your policy, your life insurance beneficiary won't receive the claim.

Does life insurance cover all deaths?

Most life insurance policies cover any death, whether natural, accidental, or self-inflicted. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, your life insurance policy may not pay out if you die due to a pre-existing medical condition.

How long does a beneficiary have to claim a life insurance policy?

There is no time limit for beneficiaries to file a life insurance claim. However, the sooner you file a claim for a death benefit, the sooner you will receive your money. Filing as soon as possible makes sense because the insurer could need a month or longer to investigate the claim before paying out.

What do life insurance blood tests detect?

With the life life insurance blood test, they'll be looking for high blood pressure, high cholesterol or glucose levels, as well as indications of nicotine, tobacco or drug use. Depending on your results, you may be able to qualify for one of an insurers' best underwriting rate classes.

What happens if you lie about smoking on life insurance?

Remember to disclose your smoking habits when you apply for life insurance, as lying about it can result in your insurer canceling or rescinding your policy.

Does life insurance look at family history?

Does family history affect life insurance? Yes. Your life insurance rates may be higher if someone in your immediate family (such as a parent or sibling) has a history of certain illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or cancer.

Can you be denied life insurance for high blood pressure?

Most often, you won't be denied life insurance if you have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is very high — for example, over 185/100 — you may be denied coverage or offered a higher rate.

Do life insurance companies check your income?

Life insurance providers review various factors besides your medical history, such as your income and occupation. They may also review your net worth and other financial information.

Do life insurance companies try to not pay?

Very often, however, life insurance claims get denied for a variety of reasons. Quickly put, a life insurance claim can be paid, denied, or delayed. So, yes, life insurance companies can deny claims and refuse to pay out and if you're here, chances are you're in the same situation.