What reasons would life insurance be denied?

Asked by: Carole Nienow  |  Last update: May 1, 2023
Score: 4.7/5 (7 votes)

A serious medical condition or poor results from your life insurance medical exam tend to be the most common reasons why people are rejected. Or it might even be non-medical related, with factors like bankruptcy, a criminal record, a positive drug test, or a dangerous hobby all having an impact.

What disqualifies you from getting life insurance?

Their reasons could be anything from a serious medical condition (like heart disease) or poor results from your life insurance medical exam to nonmedical reasons like bankruptcy, a criminal record, a positive drug test or even a dangerous hobby.

Can you be turned down for 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. It depends on the reason you were denied and the insurance company.

What percentage of life insurance claims are denied?

It's very rare for a life insurance company to deny a policy claim — at the end of 2019, only 0.02% of life insurance payouts were reportedly delayed or denied.

How often does life insurance get denied?

Fortunately, according to the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), fewer than one in 200 claims are denied, so it's unlikely your application will get a big fat rejection sign on it. But if you are one of the unlucky ones, there's no need to admit defeat–you have options.

Reasons for Life Insurance Being Denied : Life Insurance

23 related questions found

Does depression disqualify you from life insurance?

Life insurance companies may decline policies to people suffering from a range of mental health conditions. As is always the case with just about any kind of health condition, criteria vary from insurance company to insurance company. Consequently, there is no general rule when it comes to depression and anxiety.

How do you get approved for life insurance?

The Life Insurance Medical Exam
  1. Take your medical history (including medical conditions, surgeries, and any prescription medications)
  2. Ask about your immediate family's medical history.
  3. Take your blood pressure.
  4. Listen to your heartbeat.
  5. Check your height and weight.
  6. Draw a blood sample.
  7. Get a urine sample.

What is considered high risk for life insurance?

However, typically, life insurance companies may consider you to be a high-risk applicant if you have a dangerous occupation, engage in risky hobbies like skydiving, smoke, have below-average health and/or have underlying health conditions.

Can you get life insurance with a preexisting condition?

In short, yes, it may be possible to secure life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition. For some health conditions, a simple disclosure may be all that is required of you. However, for many illnesses or physical conditions, you may need to go through additional medical screenings.

What is the underwriting process for life insurance?

A: Underwriting is a process that every applicant who applies for insurance coverage needs to go through. It helps determine whether an applicant is insurable — and at what amount and at what cost to the applicant. It's designed to provide the fairest price for a person's risk profile.

Can you get life insurance with heart disease?

The short answer is yes, it is possible to get life insurance after a heart attack. There are two common types of life insurance, each suited for different stages of life or levels of risk tolerance. Term life insurance is purchased to provide coverage for a specific period of time.

What kind of questions are asked for life insurance?

What questions do they ask when you apply for life insurance? Most life insurance applications ask about your medical history, driving record, medications/prescriptions, age, hobbies, job, and history with drugs and alcohol. The answers you provide on your application are verified during the phone interview.

How long does it take for life insurance to be approved?

Depending on the type of life insurance policy you are purchasing, and a number of other factors, a life insurance application can be completely filled out and approved within 24 hours or could take a few weeks or even months.

Does mental illness affect life insurance?

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.

Can I get life insurance if I have anxiety?

Anxiety is a common medical condition, but it can affect your life insurance rates or even your ability to get a life insurance policy. While it's still possible to get covered — especially if your anxiety is well-controlled — you may be forced to pay higher premiums for coverage.

Can someone with PTSD get life insurance?

Yes, some people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have qualified for term or whole life insurance coverage. Yes, there are plenty of companies out there offering high-risk policies for exorbitant rates. The focus of this piece is on those being denied.

Is ADHD considered a mental disorder for life insurance?

Mild to severe ADHD that is effectively treated and managed can be considered for coverage. The severity determines the rating of the life insurance coverage, but coverage shouldn't be an issue.

What life insurance kicks in immediately?

Temporary insurance pays out to your beneficiaries if you die during the waiting period. Accelerated underwriting and final expense life insurance policies offer almost immediate coverage.

Do you need a medical for life insurance?

Yes, it's possible to get life insurance with no medical, but it depends on the individual, their circumstances, and the amount of cover you need. For example, if you're older, have a pre-existing condition or an unhealthy lifestyle, you may be required to take a medical before you can get life insurance.

Are life insurance policies effective immediately?

Waiting Periods

Some life insurance companies will make policies effective immediately, while others impose a wait of a year or two. Waiting periods were created to avoid fraud and are one way that insurance companies protect themselves.

What if I lie about smoking for life insurance?

You could be denied a life insurance policy if you lie on the application about your smoking habits. Many insurers require a life insurance medical exam that includes blood samples and urine tests that screen for nicotine use. You could also be denied if you have medical conditions in addition to smoking.

What documentation do you need for life insurance?

Obviously, the life insurance company will need basic information such as your name, address, phone number, date of birth, state/country of birth, citizenship, marital status, occupation (including details of job duties and salary), net worth, driver's license number and social security number.

What should I disclose for life insurance?

Life insurance medical and lifestyle questions
  • Your family's health history. ...
  • Current medications, drugs and alcohol. ...
  • Lifestyle history. ...
  • Future plans for risky activities. ...
  • Payment frequency. ...
  • Other life insurance policies. ...
  • Sign your name.

Is High Blood Pressure considered heart trouble for life insurance?

Blood pressure of 140/90 or higher may impact your rates, while a reading over 180 can disqualify you for a policy. Will you be denied life insurance if you have high blood pressure? It's unlikely you'll be denied based only on high blood pressure as long as your systolic reading is under 180.

Can I get life insurance if I have congestive heart failure?

If you've been diagnosed with heart disease, you can still get life insurance. However, you may not be approved for all policies that you apply for, or you may need to pay much higher premiums in order to get coverage.