Life Insurance with a Pre-Existing Condition (2024)

Pre-existing conditions can make it more difficult and expensive to get life insurance, but even if you have a chronic or terminal health problem, you can likely find a policy you qualify for if you shop around. The specific policy types you qualify for will depend on your particular medical problems, how well your condition is managed, and the insurer.

2 min to read

What is a pre-existing condition?

When you apply for life insurance, a pre-existing condition might be any health problem that could affect your longevity, and each insurer qualifies them differently. 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. Previous injuries might be considered pre-existing conditions, depending on their severity and any lasting effects. Smoking and chewing tobacco, while not considered pre-existing conditions, will also make it more difficult to get approved and affect how much your life insurance costs. Quitting can result in a lower premium, depending on how long it's been since you stopped.

Pro tip:

If you develop a serious condition after you already have life insurance, it won't affect your rates. Your life insurance premium will remain the same for the length of your policy.

What does my life insurance company need to know about me?

When you apply for life insurance, the insurance company may ask questions about your age, fitness level, lifestyle, and medical history. They may also ask questions about your family medical history. In many cases, you'll be required to undergo a medical exam to qualify. You might be able to opt out of the medical exam, but doing so may increase your premium significantly.

Generally, your life insurance premium will be lower the younger you are, the better you maintain any conditions, and the less you participate in risky activities. When you purchase a policy, you might consider adding a guaranteed insurability rider in case you want to increase your death benefit at a later date without undergoing medical testing.

How to get life insurance if you have health problems

If you have the right treatment plan for your pre-existing condition and you shop around for life insurance, you'll likely find a policy you qualify for. And minor, common health conditions may not drastically affect your eligibility or your premium. Every insurance company has a different approach to qualifying customers and underwriting policies, so research your options and obtain quotes from several providers.

Don't be tempted to lie about your health on your life insurance application; if your insurer later discovers false information or omissions, you could be disqualified from coverage or, at a minimum, experience a significant premium increase.

What if I'm denied life insurance due to health problems?

If you're denied coverage because of your health, you still have options. While traditional life insurance might not be an option for you, you still have choices like group life insurance and guaranteed issue life insurance.

  • Group life insurance is often offered by employers for a highly affordable premium. If you take part in a group life insurance policy via your employer's benefits, your health conditions most likely won't be taken into consideration. However, the death benefit will be limited, and the policy is only valid when you have that job. You might also be able to access supplemental life insurance through your employer.
  • Guaranteed issue life insurance is a type of life insurance that doesn't require you to undergo a medical exam or complete a health questionnaire. It's often the recommended life insurance for cancer patients and others with serious conditions if they don't qualify for traditional life insurance. Because you can get a guaranteed life insurance policy quickly and with no questions asked, it will be significantly more expensive than traditional policies. And there may be a rule that if you die within a few years of purchasing the policy, the insurer will simply return your premium payments to your family rather than paying out the death benefit.

How to get life insurance through Progressive

You can get a life insurance quote onlinein just minutes. You'll answer some questions, and then you'll choose your coverage amount, term length, and other policy details. You can also call 1-866-912-2477 to speak with a licensed representative from Progressive Life by eFinancialwho can help you find the right policy for you.

Life Insurance with a Pre-Existing Condition (2)

Get a free life insurance quote online in minutes

  • Or, call 1-866-912-2477

Learn more about life insurance policies.

Life Insurance with a Pre-Existing Condition (3)

Have more questions? Browse articles by insurance type

See all articles by product

  • Car insurance 435 articles
  • Home insurance 159 articles
  • Renters insurance 27 articles
  • Condo insurance 7 articles
  • Motorcycle insurance 56 articles
  • RV/Trailer insurance 36 articles
  • Life insurance 90 articles
  • Pet insurance 21 articles
Life Insurance with a Pre-Existing Condition (2024)

FAQs

Life Insurance with a Pre-Existing Condition? ›

Requirements vary by insurer, but insurers often accept preexisting conditions that are moderate risk, such as diabetes. Each insurance company has its own health requirements and conditions it is willing to insure. So, if you have a preexisting condition, you should consult an independent insurance agent.

What pre-existing conditions disqualify you from 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.

Does life insurance pay out for pre-existing conditions? ›

In many cases, you can still get critical illness cover if you have an existing medical condition, although that condition may not be covered by your policy. Most policies that consider your medical history will exclude causes of death related to an existing medical condition.

How do insurers find out about pre-existing conditions? ›

Insurers then use your permission to snoop through old records to look for anything that they might be able to use against you. If you have a pre-existing condition, they'll try to deny your claim on the grounds that you were already injured and their insured had nothing to do with it.

Can you still be denied insurance for pre-existing conditions? ›

Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies can't refuse to cover you or charge you more just because you have a “pre-existing condition” — that is, a health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts.

What are 3 reasons you may be denied from having 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 qualifies as a pre-existing condition? ›

A health problem, like asthma, diabetes, or cancer, you had before the date that new health coverage starts. Insurance companies can't refuse to cover treatment for your pre-existing condition or charge you more.

Is high blood pressure considered a pre-existing condition? ›

In the health insurance world, a pre-existing condition is any injury, sickness or condition that exists before the date an insurance policy takes effect. Examples include asthma, diabetes, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and so on.

Do life insurance companies check medical records after death? ›

Yes. The insurance company will look for undisclosed medical conditions and also investigate the facts the insured set forth in the application for life insurance.

What is guaranteed issue life insurance? ›

Guaranteed issue life insurance exists to help those with serious health problems find the coverage they need. These plans may help prevent consumers from being turned down based on their medical history.

What happens if you don t disclose pre-existing condition life insurance? ›

One last note of caution: don't try to hide a current medical condition from your agent or the insurance company. If discovered, it could result in cancellation of the policy, as well as any death benefit that might have gone to your family. It might even be prosecuted as insurance fraud.

Is alcoholism considered a pre-existing condition? ›

Under the ACA, alcohol and other drug addiction is not considered a pre-existing condition and treatment for it cannot be denied.

What is the difference between existing and preexisting? ›

Existing means now. I'm existing. My past self is a pre-existence. Oftentimes, the past time where 'pre-exist' is referring to is subjective but generally we use the word 'pre-exist' to refer to something that existed in a very long time in the past.

Is a kidney stone a pre-existing condition? ›

Considered a Pre-existing Condition

Even though the kidney stones are painful and you may eventually need medical attention, this condition under this circ*mstance would typically be considered as a pre-existing condition since the policyholder knew about the ailment prior to purchasing their travel insurance policy.

Is arthritis a pre-existing condition? ›

Examples of Pre-existing Conditions

Arthritis. Cancer. Carpal tunnel syndrome. Depression.

How long do you have to live for life insurance to pay out? ›

Fortunately, most life insurance companies are very quick in expediting death claims. As long as the required paperwork is in order and the policy isn't being contested, a life insurance claim can often be paid within 30 days of the death of the insured.

What happens to life insurance if you never use it? ›

Therefore, if the policy expires without being used, the money spent on premiums is not recovered. This might seem like a loss, but one of the key points here is to keep in mind that what one gets from the payments is some kind of financial security and safeguarding against the risks of untimely death.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5557

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.