Updated: June 27, 2025
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The cheapest providers overall for those with pre-existing conditions are Nationwide, Mutual of Omaha, AAA and Prudential.
Since pre-existing conditions could cause early death, insurance companies consider it risky to insure individuals that have them, leading to higher rates.
Simplified issue, guaranteed issue and instant life insurance policies are strong alternatives to term life insurance policies for those with pre-existing conditions.
Nationwide and Mutual of Omaha offer the cheapest life insurance for pre-existing illnesses at an average annual cost of $254 and $265, respectively, for term coverage.
Insurance providers 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.
Insurer | Annual Term Life Insurance Rates | |
|---|---|---|
1. | Nationwide | $254.64 |
2. | Mutual of Omaha | $265.80 |
3. | AAA | $277.20 |
4. | Prudential | $417.84 |
*The quotes above are based on a term life insurance policy with $500,000 coverage and a 20-year term length for a 30-year-old.
Major insurance providers offer simplified issue, guaranteed issue and instant issue life insurance policies that are good for people with pre-existing conditions. You can also buy a term life policy, but the price may be higher than life insurance without pre-existing conditions.
Type | Description |
|---|---|
Instant Life Insurance | Due to accelerated underwriting, you can have life insurance coverage in a matter of minutes without completing a medical exam. |
Simplified Issue | This type of policy does not require a medical exam. Instead, you just have to answer minimal health questions. |
Guaranteed Acceptance | You do not have to pass a health exam or answer any questions with guaranteed acceptance insurance. However, this type of policy usually has a waiting period. |
Pre-existing medical conditions can increase your life insurance rates, but finding affordable coverage remains possible. The steps below can help you find comprehensive coverage at a reasonable rate.
Some pre-existing medical conditions can make following conventional health improvement routes difficult. If you can, working out, eating clean and quitting smoking may help reduce your life insurance rates.
Improving your health may make you eligible for a rate reconsideration. Keep in mind that you may need to undergo a medical exam to get this lower rate.
Applying right after being diagnosed with a severe health condition will likely result in higher life insurance rates. You may even be denied if you don't have an established history of controlling the condition or a treatment plan with your physician.
A qualified agent can help you learn which companies offer affordable rates for your condition.
Different insurance companies evaluate pre-existing conditions differently, with some specializing in health issues. Comparing quotes from at least five to seven companies can reveal surprising rate differences. This approach can save you thousands over the policy term.
If traditional coverage proves difficult to obtain, explore guaranteed issue policies that accept all applicants regardless of health history. These policies are typically more expensive with lower coverage limits and waiting periods, but they provide protection when other options aren't available.
If you have pre-existing medical conditions, some insurance providers will consider you a higher risk, 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.
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. Since 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:
Insurance providers generally classify applicants into risk tiers based on their overall health. Each tier has different thresholds for pre-existing conditions:
If you're in excellent health, not a smoker, don't have any pre-existing medical conditions or participate in risky activities, including occupation, you'll qualify for this category. Very few people are eligible for this health rating.
People who are generally in excellent health but have a few minor health conditions like being slightly overweight and minimal history of family diseases qualify for this category.
If you've qualified for Standard Plus, you're in better-than-average health but have a few health issues that require medications and some family history of diseases.
This is the most common category. With a Standard health rating, you're in average health, might be on multiple medications and may have a family history of severe health conditions.
People in this category may have poor overall health, a recent serious health issue or a complicated family medical history. These factors make people in this category riskier to insure.
We analyzed the most affordable life insurance companies and plans for pre-existing medical conditions. Our research found that Nationwide offers the most affordable rates if you have an existing condition, though you can also find good deals with Mutual of Omaha, AAA and Prudential.
We answer common questions about life insurance for pre-existing medical conditions:
MoneyGeek found that Nationwide, Mutual of Omaha, AAA and Prudential are flexible on pre-existing medical conditions.
If you have pre-existing conditions, your life insurance costs could be higher and you may have limited coverage options available.
If you're wondering which conditions make you uninsurable, every life insurance provider has different policies regarding pre-existing conditions, so no single condition automatically disqualifies you for coverage.
Some conditions are more likely to cause providers to deny coverage than others, including diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, HIV, obesity, asthma and cancer. This isn't an exhaustive list, so you should reach out to prospective providers directly to see if you qualify for coverage with a pre-existing condition.
To understand how far back life insurance companies look in your medical history, insurers generally review your medical records over the past five to 10 years.
To get life insurance coverage when you have a pre-existing condition, you can obtain coverage through term life, instant life, guaranteed issue and simplified life insurance policies. Shopping with several carriers or speaking with an insurance agent helps you find the best life insurance policy with pre-existing conditions.
MoneyGeek manually collected and averaged term life insurance quotes from 13 of the biggest life insurance companies to obtain average cost data. The quotes shown in this article are from companies that offer flexibility for pre-existing medical conditions. They're based on a term life insurance policy with $500,000 coverage and a 20-year term length for a 30-year-old in excellent health.
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.
