Do they check your credit when getting life insurance?
Asked by: Carolyn Schiller | Last update: August 1, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (10 votes)
Does life insurance check your credit?
A credit check could help speed up the review and make it easier (and cheaper) to get life insurance if you have good credit. But, even if you have poor credit, your credit will only be one of many factors that the insurance company considers.
Can you get life insurance if you have bad credit?
Yes, indirectly. Most insurance companies will not reject applications for insurance based only on a low credit-based insurance score, but they may only offer that applicant a policy with a higher premium or higher monthly rate. Paying a higher premium or rate could cost consumers hundreds of dollars per year.
What will disqualify me from life insurance?
A few common examples of pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma. Previous injuries might be considered pre-existing conditions, depending on their severity and any lasting effects.
Can you be turned down for insurance because of your credit score?
California
Insurance companies in California don't use credit-based scores or your credit history for underwriting or rating auto policies, or setting rates for homeowners insurance. As a result, your credit won't impact your ability to get or renew a policy, or how much you pay in premiums.
Is It Legal for Life Insurance Companies to Check Your Credit Report?
Do insurance companies check your credit?
Yes. A federal law, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), states insurance companies have a “permissible purpose” to look at your credit information without your permission. Insurance companies must also comply with state insurance laws when using credit information in the underwriting and rating process.
Does bad credit affect insurance?
Most U.S. insurance companies use credit-based insurance scores along with your driving history, claims history and many other factors to establish eligibility for payment plans and to help determine insurance rates. Again, except in California, Hawaii, and Massachusetts.
What will deny life insurance?
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.
Does life insurance do background checks?
Do life insurance companies check criminal records? Yes, during a life insurance application, you will be asked questions about your criminal history, lifestyle, and background so the insurer can evaluate your potential risk.
What is the cash value of a $10,000 life insurance policy?
Say, for example, that you purchase an insurance policy with a face value of $10,000. Once the policy matures, the cash value of the policy should equal $10,000.
What disqualifies me for 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.
Is my life over if I have bad credit?
Life without credit isn't impossible. But you'll probably have an easier time if you start building up your credit now. (In the meantime, if you're considering a bad credit loan, you'll want to check out the OppU Guide to Bad Credit Loans here.) Kalen Omo is the founder and owner of Omo Financial Coaching.
Should I get life insurance if I have debt?
While not mandatory, life insurance is important if others depend on your income or if you have financial obligations like a mortgage or debts. It helps provide financial security for your loved ones, covering expenses and helping ensure their future stability in your absence.
Can you be denied life insurance for bad credit?
You may be happy to learn that your actual credit score won't have an impact on whether you qualify for most life insurance coverage. But your credit history may play a part. Not all life insurance companies check credit history as a part of their underwriting process.
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.
Does credit matter when getting insurance?
In most states, your credit-based insurance scores can affect your eligibility and premiums. But insurance companies generally can't refuse to insure you or cancel your policy based solely on your credit.
What disqualifies a person from life insurance?
Specific Conditions that May Disqualify You
Certain health conditions and lifestyle choices can significantly impact your eligibility for full coverage life insurance. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure are among the top concerns for insurers.
Who fails a background check?
Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...
How far back do life insurance companies look?
When initially underwriting a life insurance policy, life insurance companies sometimes check up to 10 years of an applicant's medical records.
What disqualifies you from whole life insurance?
People are typically denied life insurance because they fall into a high-risk category. 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.
Why can't I get approved 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.
How long does it take to get life insurance?
Once the application and medical exam are completed, it can take as little as 24 hours. But the life insurance company will commonly set an expectation of 4 to 6 weeks. The higher the coverage requested, the longer the life insurance underwriting process may take.
Do you have to have good credit to get life insurance?
While a low credit score won't necessarily keep you from getting life insurance, it might indirectly affect how much you pay for your premiums. Before you apply for a life insurance policy, it's a good idea to take a look at how bad credit can influence the final cost of insurance.
What is a good credit score for insurance?
In general, a good credit score is 670 or above, with scores above 800 considered excellent. If your score is in this range, you're likely receiving lower insurance rates based on your credit. If your credit score is under 580, on the other hand, your credit could be significantly raising the cost of coverage.
What bills improve your credit score?
As with cell phone bills, cable and internet bills can help your score if you opt in to a service like Experian Boost that gives you credit for utility and other kinds of payments. Just be mindful that not all of your credit reports will be affected.