Does mental illness affect life insurance?

Asked by: Dr. Bradford Heaney  |  Last update: December 16, 2025
Score: 5/5 (49 votes)

Most insurers are aware that mental illness is not uncommon. So, insurance companies typically welcome people with mental health conditions—especially after a medical exam and after completing a questionnaire about your medical history.

Does mental illness disqualify you from life insurance?

There can be incidences where a life insurance company will deny coverage due to an ongoing mental health condition, but the decision is typically made by reviewing recent medical history and specific details of the condition.

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.

Is anxiety a red flag for life insurance?

No, having depression or anxiety does not automatically disqualify you from life insurance. Most life insurance companies assess the overall risk and look at your entire medical history, not just a single diagnosis.

Can life insurance companies access mental health records?

The entire insurance company does not have access to those records if your doctor has to submit them, only the people who are absolutely necessary to complete a review are allowed to review them.

The Problem With Life Insurance And Mental Health

32 related questions found

Does mental illness stay on your record?

Does mental health go on your record? Yes, mental health diagnoses are included in a person's medical record and are protected by law. Healthcare professionals are bound by confidentiality and can face severe consequences, including job loss, for disclosing any information without the individual's explicit consent.

Does going to therapy affect life insurance?

Seeing a mental health professional may help increase your chances of being approved for life insurance at a better rate, especially if you are following the treatment plan, have not been hospitalized recently and have a consistent employment history.

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.

Do antidepressants affect life insurance?

Yes, you can still get life insurance if you take antidepressants. However, your premiums and coverage may be affected by your medical condition and the severity of your symptoms.

Does having ADHD affect life insurance?

When looking into life insurance for someone living with ADHD, you may be able to find a policy that is offered at standard terms. This means that there will likely not be any exclusions or any premium increases. This does depend on any medication or treatments that you are currently taking and/or undergoing.

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 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 is uninsurable risk in life insurance?

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.

Does having depression affect your life insurance?

Many insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. This means that they will not pay out on a claim related to a pre-existing condition, including mental health problems. For example, if you have a diagnosis of depression when you apply for insurance, this would be considered a pre-existing condition.

Does my mental illness count as a disability?

If your mental illness has a significant, adverse and long-term effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities, it is likely you are protected under disability discrimination law. This includes people who had a disability in the past. The law considers the effects of an impairment on the individual.

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.

Can you be denied life insurance because of mental illness?

If you fail to disclose a mental illness on your life insurance application, a few things can happen. First, you can be denied life insurance. If the company finds that you have a pre-existing condition of mental illness but lied about your mental health diagnosis, there are other consequences.

Can someone with bipolar get life insurance?

If you have a mild, stable bipolar disorder, then any type of life insurance is likely available to you. Moreover, underwriters won't generally limit the death benefit available to you.

Is mental illness a pre-existing condition?

You will need to purchase a plan that offers coverage for mental health and substance use, or behavioral health to have coverage for depression that's pre-existing. Health plans you get through your employer that come from major health insurance carriers will also typically consider depression a pre-existing condition.

What makes a person uninsurable for 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.

What voids a life insurance policy?

These tend to revolve around fraud and abuse. Life insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company. Misrepresenting yourself or providing inaccurate information on your insurance application can cause a breach and void the contract, ending with the claim denied.

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.

How does mental health affect insurance?

One of the important provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, in section 21 (4), is the inclusion of “mental illnesses” for health insurance coverage. This is a progressive step toward considering mental illness at par with physical illness, which will, in turn, ensure better access to mental health care.

Does ADHD affect your life insurance?

It is possible that having ADHD may impact your life insurance rates. Insurers consider various factors when determining rates, including health conditions. ADHD alone may not significantly impact rates, but it depends on the severity of your condition and any associated health risks.

Does PTSD affect life insurance?

In the eyes of the insurance carrier, PTSD is a pre-existing condition such as anxiety and depression, Eating disorders, Mental illness, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, etc. Will I qualify for life insurance with PTSD? Short answer, Yes.