Life Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions: Everything You Need to Know

Insurance companies consider any medical condition you have before signing up for a policy as a pre-existing condition, and your eligibility depends on the specific type of condition you have.

Most insurers consider you a higher risk if you have pre-existing medical conditions, resulting in higher life insurance premiums. If you opt for no-exam life insurance, coverage amounts are usually limited compared to medically underwritten life insurance.

Lincoln Financial and Transamerica offer the cheapest life insurance for pre-existing conditions, for term coverage. The most affordable option depends on term length and gender.

The table below highlights the cheapest term life insurance for pre-existing conditions across different term lengths.

*Rates shown are based on sample term life insurance quotes for 40-year-olds with poor health ratings, reflecting higher-risk health profiles and pre-existing conditions. Coverage amount is $500,000. Actual premiums and availability vary by insurer, health history, age, coverage amount and underwriting guidelines.

People with manageable pre-existing conditions can still qualify for traditional whole life insurance, though premiums will be higher than for healthier applicants.

Protective offers the most affordable whole life insurance for pre-existing conditions, averaging $655 per month ($7,859 annually) for women and $720 per month ($8,635 annually) for men for a $500,000 policy. The table below shows average rates from major insurers.

**These rates come from sample whole life insurance quotes for 40-year-olds with a poor health rating, meaning health issues and existing medical conditions. Coverage amount is $500,000. Your actual cost depends on the insurer, your health history, age and coverage amount.

Major insurers offer different types of life insurance to people with pre-existing conditions. Term coverage is available but costs more than standard rates. Permanent coverage works too, particularly simplified or guaranteed issue whole life policies.

Any health condition, illness or injury that exists before you sign up for a life insurance policy can be considered a pre-existing medical condition. It's any medical issue you already have when you apply for coverage. Because a pre-existing condition can lower your life expectancy and cause early death, insurance providers consider it risky to insure people with these conditions.

Here are some examples of pre-existing medical conditions:

Underwriting guidelines and health rating classifications may vary by state and insurer. Some states have additional consumer protections that may affect the underwriting process.

When you have pre-existing conditions that don't qualify for standard rates but aren't severe enough for outright denial, insurers use a table rating system. This classification ranges from Table 1 through Table 10, with each table representing increasing health risks and higher premiums. Table 1 represents the lowest additional risk, while Table 10 indicates the highest.

Each table typically increases your premium by 25% above standard rates. For example, a Table 2 rating might cost 50% more than standard coverage, while Table 4 could mean 100% higher premiums.

Table ratings aren't permanent. As your health improves or more time passes since your diagnosis, you may qualify for a better rating class. Many insurers allow reapplication after two to three years, potentially moving you to a lower table or even standard rates.

The life insurance underwriting process takes approximately two to eight weeks, depending on how complex your health situation is and how quickly medical records are obtained. Underwriters review your application, medical exam results and prescription history and may request records from your doctors.

Underwriters evaluate multiple factors beyond just your pre-existing condition: overall health trends, medication compliance, lifestyle choices and how well you manage your condition. For example, someone with diabetes who has excellent A1C levels and regular doctor visits presents much lower risk than someone with poor glucose control.

Don't be surprised if underwriters ask follow-up questions or request additional medical information. The thorough review can work in your favor because it allows underwriters to see the complete picture of your health rather than making decisions based on diagnosis alone. The more documentation showing you actively manage your condition, the better your chances for favorable rates.

If you're denied coverage, wait at least six months before reapplying, particularly if your health improves or you hit milestones like cancer remission anniversaries or better diabetes control.

Get physician letters documenting your health improvements with stable test results, successful treatment compliance or lifestyle changes. Updated lab work, cardiac stress tests or specialist evaluations show you're healthier. Your doctor's letter should explain how you've managed your condition.

Apply with different insurers because each company has different underwriting guidelines. An insurer that denies coverage for your specific condition might approve you two years later, while another insurer might offer coverage immediately. Working with an independent agent who knows which insurers are most favorable to your condition can save months of trial and error.

We analyzed the most affordable life insurance companies and plans for pre-existing medical conditions. We found that Lincoln Financial and Transamerica offer the lowest rates if you have an existing condition. You can also find good deals with Protective, North American and Midland National.

We answer common questions about life insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.

Finding affordable life insurance for people with pre-existing health conditions can be challenging, but some insurers are more flexible than others. Our research aimed to identify which companies actually approve coverage for people with health challenges and what that coverage costs.

Data Collection Process

We requested quotes from 28 major life insurance companies using a profile that reflects real-world applicants who don’t qualify for standard rates. Instead of using healthy applicant data, we asked for quotes for a 40-year-old in poor health looking for a $500,000 policy.

This approach is important because most life insurance research focuses on healthy applicants who get preferred rates. That doesn’t help if you’re managing diabetes, heart disease or other conditions that influence your eligibility.

Sample Profile Details

The quotes represent someone whose health issues would usually lead to:

• Higher premiums than standard rates
• Extra underwriting steps
• Possible coverage limits

We averaged rates only from companies that showed flexibility toward applicants with pre-existing medical conditions.

Why This Methodology Works

Typical life insurance quotes don’t reflect the true costs for applicants with health concerns. By focusing on insurers that work with higher-risk applicants, we identified companies that may give you actual options instead of those likely to deny your application.

The $500,000 coverage amount represents substantial financial protection for most families while remaining accessible to people who face health-related premium increases.

Practical Application

These quotes give you realistic rate expectations when shopping for coverage with pre-existing conditions. Your actual premium will depend on your specific health situation, but this data shows which insurers offer competitive rates for non-standard applicants.

The rating "poor health" used in this analysis covers a wide range of conditions. Some insurers specialize in certain health issues, so it's worth comparing quotes from multiple companies even if you've been declined elsewhere.