What life insurance can I get with pre-existing conditions?

Asked by: Toney Daniel  |  Last update: August 1, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (57 votes)

People with pre-existing conditions have several life insurance options:
  • Term life insurance: Term life insurance policies have more favorable premiums and large death benefits, but coverage only lasts 10 to 30 years. ...
  • Guaranteed issue life insurance: A guaranteed issue life insurance policy never denies applicants.

What pre-existing conditions 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.

How far back do insurance companies look for pre-existing conditions?

To determine if a condition is pre-existing, insurers examine medical history, treatment records, and diagnosis reports. They may use “look-back periods,” which are specific timeframes—typically six months to a year before coverage begins—to review medical 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.

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.

Life Insurance with Pre-existing Medical Conditions

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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 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 far back do life insurance companies check medical records?

If you agree to let them go through your medical history, they'll contact your doctor and will look at your records over the last five to ten years. If you don't give your permission, they can't investigate your background and could either refuse to insure you or offer you insurance with higher premiums.

What is a waiting period for a pre-existing condition?

The time period during which a health plan won't pay for care relating to a pre-existing condition. Under a job-based plan, this cannot exceed 12 months for a regular enrollee or 18 months for a late-enrollee.

How much is a $500,000 life insurance policy a month?

A $500,000 whole life insurance policy costs an average of $451 per month for a 30-year-old non-smoker in good health. If you get whole life insurance, the premiums you'll pay may vary based on factors like your age, health, gender, and the type of policy you get.

What does Dave Ramsey recommend for life insurance?

Core Ramsey Teaching: You only need life insurance while you have people depending on your income. Buy a 10–20-year term policy worth 10–12 times your annual income. Since life insurance is only for the short-term, you should only buy term life insurance. (Hence the name.)

Do you pay taxes on life insurance?

Generally, life insurance proceeds you receive as a beneficiary due to the death of the insured person, aren't includable in gross income and you don't have to report them. However, any interest you receive is taxable and you should report it as interest received.

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.

Will AFLAC pay for pre-existing conditions?

Disability caused by a Pre-existing Condition or reinjuries to a Pre-existing Condition will not be covered unless it begins more than 12 months after the Effective Date of coverage.

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 should you not say when applying for life insurance?

Tobacco use: Lying about smoking on a life insurance application likely constitutes a misrepresentation, even if you only smoke occasionally. Drug and alcohol use: Someone who engages in drug or alcohol misuse may omit this information.

What is the 80% rule 1 point?

The 80% rule means that an insurer will only fully cover the cost of damage to a house if the owner has purchased insurance coverage equal to at least 80% of the house's total replacement value.

Can life insurance companies see your prescription history?

Life insurance companies will check prescription records as part of the life insurance application process. As they review your medical history, they'll typically ask which medications you take or have taken in the past and what conditions they were for.

What life insurance covers pre-existing conditions?

What's the best type of life insurance for pre-existing conditions?
  • Term Insurance. The most popular and cost-effective type of life insurance, term life insurance offers coverage for a set period of time, typically 10-30 years. ...
  • Permanent Insurance. ...
  • Final Expense. ...
  • Guaranteed Issue.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover past medical bills?

Health insurance policies are designed to cover medical expenses incurred during the period when the policy is active. This means that if you received medical services before your policy's effective date, those expenses are generally not covered.

Do any insurers cover pre-existing conditions?

In some cases, you'll also need to give the insurer access to your medical records. The insurer can then decide if they want to insure you or not for a pre-existing condition. So, you may be able to get insurance for a pre-existing medical condition that is excluded with Moratorium underwriting.

What is a better option than life insurance?

Annuities offer better investment and income benefits while you're alive. Your return is higher because you aren't also paying for life insurance coverage. Instead, all the money is put toward an investment. Annuities also offer more income options, like guaranteed income for life.

Why are people so against whole life insurance?

Insurance and administrative fees may also eat into the returns, making most people better off buying a much lower cost term policy and investing the difference. In addition, the premiums are much higher than with a term policy so you might not want to look to whole life to cover all your life insurance needs.

What is better, term life or whole life?

Term life is more affordable but lasts only for a set period of time. On the other hand, whole life insurance tends to have higher premiums but never expires. Knowing the differences between term and whole life insurance will help you choose a policy that works best for you and your lifestyle.