Can you get life insurance if you are in poor health?

Asked by: Prof. Cory Dicki  |  Last update: November 8, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (4 votes)

Life insurance with terminal illness coverage is typically included in most policies, but people who want protection in the event of a chronic illness may want to consider a daily living rider, which accelerates a portion of your policy's death benefit if you have been chronically ill for at least 90 days and are ill ...

Can someone with bad health get life insurance?

Yes, life insurance is available with preexisting conditions. Keep in mind that some companies do better than others with certain medical conditions, so it is best to work with someone who understands high-risk medical conditions, is an independen...

What medical conditions will disqualify you from life insurance?

What medical conditions prevent you from getting life insurance?
  • Anxiety and depression.
  • Asthma.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart disease.
  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • HIV.
  • Obesity.

What disqualifies someone from getting life insurance?

They can include engaging in risky hobbies and behaviors like skydiving; having a history of DUIs or speeding tickets; having a dangerous job like roofing; having a criminal record or a less than ideal financial history; being a smoker; and failing a drug test.

What disqualifies you from whole life insurance?

Pre-existing conditions – meaning any health issue or condition that existed before applying for coverage – are often considered high-risk by insurance companies and can lead to disqualification. Chronic conditions that require long-term medication or treatment can also impact eligibility.

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What are 2 disadvantages of whole life insurance?

A more complex product than term life insurance. Higher premiums than term life insurance. Could be costly if coverage lapses early.

What makes you uninsurable for life insurance?

This is often due to health challenges like diabetes and obesity, as well as non-health related life insurance disqualifiers like a dangerous job or hobby, a history of speeding tickets or using tobacco products. Here's how to understand what might make you uninsurable for life insurance and what your options are.

Can I get life insurance if I'm sick?

You might think finding coverage with your health history is impossible. Luckily, this isn't true. Plenty of providers cover people with chronic conditions, allowing them to get life insurance with health problems.

What to do if you are uninsurable?

If you're denied insurance, the first step is to call another insurer—different companies have different parameters. However, if several insurers have denied you, you may need to consider these options: Join a state assigned risk pool – Auto insurers participate on a voluntary basis in state assigned risk pools.

Why do people get denied for life insurance?

Medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease may disqualify you from coverage if your illness is life-threatening. If you've had cancer or are currently undergoing cancer treatment, your life insurance application may be denied until you've been in remission a certain number of years.

Do life insurance companies check medical records?

Yes, life insurers will review your medical records if you are applying for a medically underwritten policy. They can do so only with the consent of the applicant, however. The consent agreement between the applicant and insurance company will specify the number of years of medical records that will be examined.

How to get life insurance with a chronic illness?

Life insurance with terminal illness coverage is typically included in most policies, but people who want protection in the event of a chronic illness may want to consider a daily living rider, which accelerates a portion of your policy's death benefit if you have been chronically ill for at least 90 days and are ill ...

What pre-existing conditions are not covered?

Is there health insurance for pre-existing conditions? Choosing a health plan is no longer based on the concept of a pre-existing condition. A health insurer cannot deny you coverage or raise rates for plans if you have a medical condition at the time of enrollment.

How do I get life insurance if I have medical problems?

If you're denied coverage because of your health, you still have options. While traditional life insurance might not be an option for you, you still have choices like group life insurance and guaranteed issue life insurance. Group life insurance is often offered by employers for a highly affordable premium.

Who should not get life insurance?

If you have no financial obligations at your death, have no spouse or dependents that rely on your income now or in the future, or you own no property or business that would need to be purchased at your death by your business partners or liquidated for income needs, then you may not need life insurance.

What reasons will life insurance not pay?

17 Common Reasons Life Insurance Won't Pay Out
  • Nonpayment of Premiums.
  • Death during the Contestability Period.
  • Misrepresentation on Application.
  • Employer Failed to Submit a Disability Waiver of Premium.
  • Problems with the Beneficiary.
  • Policy was included in a Trust or a Will.
  • Denials Due to Suicide Exclusion.

What disqualifies life insurance payout?

Life insurance proceeds can be denied. Some denials are legitimate, like in case of policy lapses, material misrepresentations, or exclusions in the form of illegal activities or war. In other cases, bad-faith insurers use elaborate methods to reject claims so they do not have to pay the proceeds.

Why would a person be uninsurable?

Key Takeaways. Uninsurable risk is a condition that poses an unknowable or unacceptable risk of loss for an insurance company to cover. An uninsurable risk could include a situation in which insurance is against the law, such as coverage for criminal penalties.

What happens if you can't get life insurance?

Here could be your next steps: If possible, contact the insurer that declined your application and find out why you were refused cover (for example, was it for medical reasons, your occupation, age, or family medical history?). This information may help you apply with more suitable insurers in the future.

What illness does life insurance not cover?

Life insurance pays beneficiaries upon the insured's death, covering expenses like mortgages, education, and future income. Life insurance policies cover most causes of death, but exclusions such as suicide, dangerous or illegal activities, substance abuse, and misrepresentation can apply.

What pre-existing conditions disqualify you from life insurance?

The type of condition you have can significantly impact approval chances since the insurer evaluates the risk the condition entails and its likelihood of causing recurring issues. For example, cancer, heart disease, and other severe chronic illnesses are considered higher risk.

Does life insurance check your income?

In order to assess your life insurance need, the insurer will need to know your age and income at the time of the application. One simple and common method is to calculate coverage as a multiple of annual income.

What makes you high-risk for life insurance?

For example, delivery drivers who transport hazardous materials may classify into a higher risk category. Hobbies: Hobbies like skydiving, rock climbing, and professional racing create a higher risk of passing away. Therefore, insurers may classify you as a high-risk applicant if you engage in these activities.

What are 2 examples of uninsurable risks?

A risk that an insurer will not take on. For example, this may be where an event is inevitable (such as a terminally-ill person's death), gradual (such as rust or corrosion) or against the law.

Is it hard to get a life insurance payout?

But it's important to be aware that there are a few instances where life insurance won't pay out. Top reasons life insurance won't pay out may be because the policyholder lied on their application, their death was the result of suicide, or they passed away during the waiting period.