Updated: May 26, 2025
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Although some companies are less flexible in approving life insurance for cancer survivors, getting coverage is still possible.
Cancer survivors may have higher premiums based on their medical history and time since completing cancer treatments.
If you’re a cancer survivor who doesn’t qualify for conventional policies, consider simplified issue or guaranteed acceptance life insurance.
Nationwide is the best overall life insurance company for cancer survivors, but the right choice will depend on your specific needs and situation. Some companies may offer more personalized features. Rates also vary as insurers calculate premiums differently. Below are the top life insurance providers based on product offerings and support features.
Some skin cancer survivors can access a preferred plus rating
Standard rating eligibility for other cancer types
Family cancer history does not mean automatic denial
Only term quotes available online
Individual consideration for most cancer diagnoses
Cancer survivors aren't eligible for Intelligent Underwriting
Nationwide has earned fifth place in the J.D. Power 2024 Individual Life Insurance Study, with 666 out of 1,000 points for customer satisfaction. This insurer also has an excellent financial strength rating of A+ from AM Best, proving its reliability in paying claims. Given its reputation, longevity in the business, strong financial ratings and affordability, Nationwide earns a MoneyGeek score of 89.
Product Offering
Nationwide offers term, whole life and universal life insurance products. Applicants who are skin cancer survivors may be eligible for preferred plus rates, while those with other cancer diagnoses can qualify for standard rates.
Term life insurance is available for cancer survivors ages 18 to 70. For whole life and universal life policies, some applicants can get approved up to age 85. Both term and universal life have a $100,000 coverage minimum, while whole life starts at just $10,000 for those with smaller life insurance needs.
If you're searching for life insurance for breast cancer survivors, expect to provide the grade or staging, treatment protocol, age at onset, time since the diagnosis and other details when applying for coverage. The provider will request the same information for prostate cancer and other internal cancer survivors.
Support Features
Applicants who completed cancer treatment without chemotherapy or radiation over 10 years ago may qualify for the standard plus rating. This rating also allows for one immediate family member who died before age 60 from cancer or cardiovascular disease. These rating guidelines make Nationwide one of the more affordable companies for life insurance after cancer. Nationwide offers brochures and policy details online, but you can only find quotes for term life.
Available Policy Types
Preferred plus rating available for skin cancer survivors, except melanoma
No longer considers family history for preferred class
Can still qualify within one year after cancer treatment or with history of multiple cancers
Only term quotes available online
Current cancer patients not eligible
Bladder, breast, prostate and thyroid cancer survivors may pay extra
Legal & General America earns a Comdex (rating based on four insurance rating companies) score of 95 due to its excellent financial stability and ability to meet financial obligations, like paying life insurance claims. Although the carrier did not rank in the top 21 best life insurance companies for customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power, it earned a "great" Trustpilot score of 4.1 out of 5 stars from over 1,300 reviews.
Product Offering
Those considering Legal & General can choose from term or universal life insurance. The type of cancer and date of onset will determine your rating with Legal & General. Family history of cancer will not disqualify cancer survivors unless it involves hereditary cancer.
Legal & General offers term life coverage for up to 40 years with a minimum coverage amount of $100,000. You can include short-term riders on your policy and get up to $10,000 in children's term coverage at a flat rate for multiple children. Universal life coverage starts at $50,000 with issue ages from 20 to 75.
Support Features
Without a finding of hereditary cancer, you can get a quote online using the LGA QuickQuote tool for term life insurance. Quotes for universal life insurance must go through the company. Legal & General offers flexibility for some pre-existing conditions, including anxiety, depression, asthma, mitral valve prolapse, osteoporosis and non-melanoma skin cancers. You can use the carrier's website to learn about its life products and file a life insurance claim.
Available Policy Types
Seniors can get guaranteed coverage
May qualify for preferred or higher if cancer-free over five years
Get term and whole life quotes online
Cancer is a disqualifier for accelerated underwriting
Guaranteed acceptance coverage is only for ages 45 and older
Unable to get universal life quotes online
Mutual of Omaha is among the most recognized names in the life insurance industry. It earns sixth place for customer satisfaction with 659 out of 1,000 points in the J.D. Power Life Insurance Study and has an A+ rating with AM Best. With affordable rates, flexible plans and excellent customer service and financial strength scores, Mutual of Omaha earns a MoneyGeek score of 91.
Product Offering
Mutual of Omaha provides term, universal and guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance for seniors. The company provides individual consideration for those applying after cancer treatment, particularly for applicants with up to five years in remission. Those in remission for more than five years may qualify for preferred ratings, depending on other pre-existing health conditions.
Applicants ages 45 to 85 can apply for up to $25,000 in guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance. No medical exams or health questions are required. The same age group can get a lower rate by answering a few health questions on the simplified issue whole life application.
Term life starts at $100,000 for ages 18 to 80, with level coverage for up to 30 years. There are several universal life products to choose from, starting at age 18 with $25,000 in coverage. Children up to age 17 can get up to $50,000 in simplified issue whole life insurance.
Support Features
You can get term and whole life insurance quotes online, but not universal life insurance. Mutual of Omaha has guides and other literature online to help you learn more about its products. The carrier has flexible underwriting guidelines, especially if you are a few years past cancer treatment and are otherwise healthy.
Policy Types Available
Cancer mortality rates have continued to decline in recent years, with the 5-year survival rate across all types reaching 69.9%. Survivors are expected to grow to over 22.1 million by 2030. Advancements in cancer research and treatments have made it possible for more cancer patients to live cancer-free, creating a growing need for life insurance after cancer.
Review the sections below for guidance on finding the best life insurance policy and understanding how cancer affects life insurance eligibility and costs.
If you've had cancer, you can still get life insurance by working with the right company. Shop around and compare offers and prices to ensure you're getting the right coverage based on your needs. You can use our life insurance quote estimator below to get started.
We’ll give you a suggested amount of cover to buy in just 3 easy steps. — it's free, no personal information required, no spam.
Rates updated:
Jun 06, 2025
The best life insurance for cancer survivors depends on individual circumstances and needs. Most often, term life insurance for cancer survivors is the best option. It is the most affordable life insurance and covers a set number of years. However, permanent life insurance, like whole or universal life, might be a better choice depending on your needs.
If qualifying for traditional policies proves challenging, guaranteed life insurance for cancer patients provides an alternative. While this type of policy tends to be more expensive, it offers coverage regardless of medical history. Consider these policy types when choosing what is best for your situation.
Term life is the best overall option because it’s cheap and effective. It provides coverage for up to 40 years, depending on the carrier. Some companies have favorable rates for cancer survivors, especially those who are otherwise healthy. To find the best life insurance for cancer survivors, look for carriers with a track record of flexible underwriting guidelines, which can provide more accessible and affordable rates for those with a cancer history.
If you have a family history of cancer, especially hereditary cancer, or haven't been in remission long enough, you may not qualify for term life insurance. Simplified issue life insurance doesn’t require a medical exam, though the application includes health questions. With less stringent underwriting guidelines, cancer survivors may have better luck getting coverage with simplified issue underwriting, and rates can still be affordable. However, these rates may not be as low as term life insurance.
If you can’t qualify for simplified issue life insurance, the next best option is guaranteed acceptance life insurance. Though most often offered to those 45 and older, some carriers offer guaranteed acceptance coverage to adults ages 18 and older. This policy provides guaranteed coverage, so there are no health questions on the application or medical exam as part of the underwriting process. However, these policies are typically the most expensive option, so they could limit your coverage if you’re on a budget.
A critical illness that requires immediate medical attention, such as a heart attack, stroke or cancer, can result in high medical bills. Critical illness coverage can provide a lump sum benefit to offset the medical costs associated with the diagnosis. It can also offer a death benefit to your chosen beneficiary if you pass away due to a critical illness. It can be combined with life insurance or purchased alone, though most carriers only offer it as an employee benefit, not a standalone policy.
Cancer can impact both your life insurance eligibility and premiums. Insurance providers determine rates and acceptance based on various factors, including:
Certain cancers are riskier than others, which can also affect eligibility and the cost of life insurance. The table below provides insight into the survival rates for both men and women with various cancer types, showing key considerations for life insurance after a cancer diagnosis or for cancer survivors.
Type of Cancer | Male Survival Rate | Female Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|
Anus, Anal Canal & Anorectum | 64.50% | 75.00% |
Bones and Joints | 66.50% | 71.20% |
Brain and Other Nervous System | 31.20% | 35.20% |
Breast | 84.30% | 91.70% |
Cervix | N/A | 68.00% |
Colon and Rectum (Including Appendix) | 64.50% | 66.40% |
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma | 87.80% | 90.50% |
Kidney and Renal Pelvis | 77.90% | 79.90% |
Leukemia | 67.50% | 68.20% |
Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct | 21.70% | 22.80% |
Lung and Bronchus | 23.80% | 32.60% |
Melanoma of the Skin | 93.70% | 96.10% |
Oral Cavity and Pharynx | 69.10% | 70.60% |
Ovarian | N/A | 51.60% |
Pancreas | 13.10% | 13.50% |
Prostate | 97.90% | N/A |
Testicular | 94.90% | N/A |
Thyroid | 96.50% | 98.90% |
Uterine | N/A | 81.10% |
Even if your cancer has a low survival rate, you can still apply for life insurance if you need it. Each insurer has unique eligibility guidelines and requirements for coverage, so you may be surprised at what you can qualify for when you compare life insurance companies, policy types and rates.
While it may be challenging to get life insurance after cancer, many providers offer plans that can suit your needs as a survivor. In this guide, MoneyGeek analyzed the best life insurance companies for cancer survivors and highlighted their product offerings to help you find the right provider and policy. Nationwide, Legal & General America and Mutual of Omaha are among the best life insurance companies for cancer survivors. For most people, term life insurance is the best choice, as it’s affordable and easy to understand. Unfortunately, not everyone can qualify with cancer in their medical history. Luckily, those looking for life insurance after cancer have several options.
Getting life insurance after cancer can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. Here are the answers to frequently asked questions about life insurance for cancer survivors.
According to MoneyGeek research and analysis, Nationwide, Legal & General and Mutual of Omaha are the best life insurance companies for cancer survivors. Your age and date of onset, type and stage of cancer, treatment and time cancer-free will determine which company is best for you.
Being a cancer survivor can affect your eligibility and life insurance costs. Depending on the type, grade, treatment and years since you've become cancer-free, you may not qualify for traditional life insurance. In this case, guaranteed issue life insurance is an option that doesn't ask health questions or require a medical exam but typically charges higher premiums.
Yes, you can still get life insurance if you have cancer, but your options are limited. Few companies will offer coverage while you’re undergoing cancer treatment, and those that do may charge much more. Speaking with a life insurance agent or broker can help you find the best life insurance companies for cancer patients.
Yes, obtaining life insurance for cancer survivors is possible. Providers offer policies tailored to those who've battled cancer, including term and guaranteed life insurance options for cancer patients.
Life insurance can include cancer coverage, particularly policies designed for cancer survivors. The payout depends on the policy's terms and the insurer's guidelines.
It's important to disclose your cancer history when applying for life insurance. Transparency ensures you find the best life insurance for cancer patients, with coverage that accurately reflects your health status.
To generate our ranking scores, we incorporated data from J.D. Power, AM Best, NAIC and our own MoneyGeek affordability score, which we created by manually gathering thousands of quotes across major providers.
We used our qualitative research data to determine the best life insurance companies for cancer survivors based on each company’s product offering and support features.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
