Why has my life insurance been declined?
Asked by: Guillermo Haag | Last update: October 20, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (15 votes)
Why would I be declined 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.
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.
What does it mean when an insurance policy is declined?
Declined/Refused
Declined car insurance means an insurer has refused to cover you. You might not have met the criteria for the policy, or they might know about misdemeanours in your past and see you as too much of a risk to insure. You could be declined car insurance for a new policy or a renewal for an existing one.
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.
Been Denied Life Insurance, What Do I Do?
What reasons will life insurance not pay?
- 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.
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.
How do I fight life insurance denial?
- Common Reasons for Denial. ...
- Review the Denial Letter Thoroughly. ...
- Gather All Relevant Documents. ...
- Contact the Insurance Company. ...
- Understand the Appeal Process. ...
- Write a Formal Appeal Letter. ...
- Include Supporting Evidence. ...
- Misrepresentation and Fraud.
Why did my insurance decline?
Reasons your insurance may not approve a request or deny payment: Services are deemed not medically necessary. Services are no longer appropriate in a specific health care setting or level of care. You are not eligible for the benefit requested under your health plan.
What does declined policy mean?
In the context of life insurance, a 'declined risk' refers to an individual or application that has been deemed too risky by an insurance company, resulting in the denial or rejection of an insurance policy.
What disqualifies me for life insurance?
They can include engaging in risky hobbies and behaviors like skydiving; having a history of DUIs or speeding tickets; having a dangerous job like roofing; having a criminal record or a less than ideal financial history; being a smoker; and failing a drug test.
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.
Do life insurance companies check your income?
The insurer may ask questions about your income, net worth and assets. This is to ensure you can afford to pay the premiums to maintain your life insurance, and that the amount of coverage you're applying for makes sense.
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 not to 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.
Can you be denied life insurance for 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 counts as declined insurance?
When you are refused insurance it means that the provider has decided not to provide cover for your property or belongings. This may be because you do not meet the terms of their underwriters, or it may be because of a change in your circumstances which means you are perceived to be a greater risk to insure.
What are the odds of winning an insurance appeal?
Only half of denied claims are appealed, and of those appeals, half are overturned! Undivided's Head of Health Plan Advocacy, Leslie Lobel, says that if you have a winner argument and patience to get through all the levels of "no," there is a good chance you can get your denial overturned.
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 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 is 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 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.
What voids life insurance?
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 to do if a life insurance claim is denied?
A Through Appeal Increases the Chances of Winning Your Claim
Explaining to your insurance company why it made a mistake in denying your claim is the preferred course to take. But when your insurance company will not listen, then filing suit becomes the only alternative.
What is the average life insurance payout after death?
What is the average life insurance payout? Not all life insurance payouts are created equal, and may depend on several factors covered below. On average, however, a typical life insurance payout in the U.S. is about $168,000.