Why are people denied life insurance?

Asked by: Mr. Joe Hermiston Jr.  |  Last update: December 30, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (13 votes)

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.

Why would you be declined for life insurance?

Some life insurance applicants may be denied a policy for common health reasons such as obesity, high blood pressure readings, abnormal laboratory values, and chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Parkinson's, liver disease, chronic kidney disease and behavioral health concerns.

What disqualifies someone from getting 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?

“Factors such as pre-existing medical conditions, age, occupation and lifestyle choices can contribute to a person being considered 'uninsurable' according to standard underwriting guidelines,” says Tarek El Ali, Founder of Smart Insurance Agents.

Which life insurance company denies the most claims?

Top 8 Worst Insurance Companies
  1. Allstate. We know you have seen the ads. ...
  2. Unum. Unum is a leading disability insurance provider in the United States has a reputation for denied and delayed insurance claims – even when claims include their own employees. ...
  3. State Farm. ...
  4. AIG. ...
  5. Anthem. ...
  6. Farmers Insurance Group. ...
  7. UnitedHealth. ...
  8. USAA.

Been Denied Life Insurance, What Do I Do?

31 related questions found

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.

Which cases is likely to be declined by a life insurer?

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. There are also nonhealth reasons for being denied life insurance.

What disqualifies you from getting whole life insurance?

Due to the added risk health problems create for insurers, some pre-existing conditions can raise your premium or even disqualify you entirely from certain types of life insurance. A few common examples of pre-existing conditions include high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.

Why are people denied insurance?

There are a variety of reasons your claim wasn't approved: it might not be covered by your insurance in the first place, it's not considered medically necessary, you needed to get prior authorization or your physician wasn't in the insurer's network, McBride said.

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.

Who Cannot be a life insurance beneficiary?

Ineligible Beneficiaries: Minors: Generally, minors (individuals under the age of 18 or 21, depending on the jurisdiction) cannot be named as direct beneficiaries of a life insurance policy. In such cases, a trust or custodian may be designated to manage the proceeds until the minor reaches the age of majority.

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.

How do I fight life insurance denial?

How to Appeal a Denied Life Insurance Claim
  1. Common Reasons for Denial. ...
  2. Review the Denial Letter Thoroughly. ...
  3. Gather All Relevant Documents. ...
  4. Contact the Insurance Company. ...
  5. Understand the Appeal Process. ...
  6. Write a Formal Appeal Letter. ...
  7. Include Supporting Evidence. ...
  8. Misrepresentation and Fraud.

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.

Why would a death benefit be denied?

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.

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 do I keep getting denied for 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—carriers are not fans of insuring base jumpers in squirrel suits.

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.

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 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 happens after 20 year whole life insurance?

Unlike term insurance, whole life policies don't expire. The policy will stay in effect until you pass or until it is cancelled. Over time, the premiums you pay into the policy start to generate cash value, which can be used under certain conditions.

Why has my life insurance been declined?

Reasons you may have been declined

Most applications are declined due to medical issues. Each life insurance company sees medical issues (and other risk factors, such as extreme sports) differently. For example one company may decline you because you have diabetes, while another may accept you.

Who is disqualified 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.

What is the major problem with life insurance?

Cons of life insurance

One disadvantage of life insurance is that the older you are, the more you'll pay for a policy. This is because you're more likely to pass away during the policy period than a younger policyholder and will, in turn, cost the life insurance company more money.