Insurance companies place applicants into risk classifications to determine eligibility and premium rates. These classifications depend on your health status, lifestyle choices and occupation.
Life Insurance for High-Risk Individuals (2026 Guide)
Life insurance for high-risk individuals is possible to get by comparing providers or applying for no-exam policies.
Use our rate comparison tool below to find out if you're overpaying for life insurance.
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Updated: January 2, 2026
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Key Takeaways
High-risk life insurance applicants pay higher premiums and have fewer policy options.
Factors including health, occupation and lifestyle contribute to a person's risk status.
You can still find life insurance for high-risk individuals through careful planning and consultation, though coverage options and rates will vary based on your specific risk factors.
What is Considered High Risk for Life Insurance?
High-risk life insurance applicants have health conditions, occupations or lifestyle factors that increase their likelihood of early death. Insurers charge these applicants higher premiums because they expect to pay out death benefits sooner. Your risk classification depends on your medical history, job, hobbies and personal habits.
- ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
- Cancer (any type or history)
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
- Heart Disease
- HIV and AIDS
- Kidney Disease
- Liver Disease
- Mental Health Conditions
- Stroke History
- Substance Abuse History
- Other chronic conditions requiring ongoing treatment
Medical and Health Risks
Chronic conditions seriously affect premiums. Insurers often view these medical issues as indicators of potentially shorter life expectancy, raising your risk profile. For instance, a recent diagnosis of a severe health condition leads to much higher premiums than applicants without such issues.
High-risk medical conditions that may affect your life insurance rates include:
Hobbies
Activities such as skydiving, scuba diving or mountain climbing make insurers cautious. These pastimes are known as dangerous hobbies and are statistically more likely to result in accidental death, which can lead to higher premiums.
Occupations
Jobs with inherent dangers, such as working in construction, commercial fishing or law enforcement, likely qualify you as a high-risk applicant. Insurers evaluate these jobs based on historical data and incident rates, often leading to higher premium rates.
For example, a construction worker may encounter elevated premiums due to the increased risk of workplace accidents.
Lifestyle Choices
Personal habits such as smoking or excessive drinking can also place you in the high-risk life insurance category. Life insurance for a smoker comes with higher premiums than a policy for a nonsmoker. Someone who drinks heavily will also pay higher premiums because insurers see these lifestyle choices as risks that could shorten life expectancy.
Life Insurance Risk Classifications
Risk Classification | Description |
|---|---|
Preferred Best | This classification covers applicants in excellent health with no risky behaviors. You'll get the lowest premium rates in this tier. |
Super-Preferred | Applicants in this category have minimal risk factors but don't quite meet the Preferred Best classification criteria. They still enjoy relatively low premiums. |
Preferred | This category is for those who are generally healthy but have minor risk factors, such as elevated cholesterol levels. Premiums are competitive but not low compared to the top two categories. |
Standard | This tier includes applicants with moderate risk factors like mild health conditions or somewhat risky occupations. Premiums are higher than Preferred rates. |
Substandard or Rated | Substandard risk classification is for high-risk applicants. Factors such as severe health conditions, high-risk occupations or dangerous hobbies can land you here. Premiums for high-risk life insurance policies are usually higher, reflecting the increased risk. |
Preferred Tobacco | This classification is for tobacco users who are otherwise healthy with no other major risk factors. Premiums are higher than nonsmoker rates but lower than Standard Tobacco. Applicants qualify if they use cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco or nicotine replacement products. |
Standard Tobacco | This category is for tobacco users with additional risk factors beyond nicotine use, such as elevated blood pressure or being overweight. Premiums are three to four times higher than nonsmoker Standard rates. |
Risk classification standards and available rating factors vary by state and insurance company. Some states prohibit the use of certain factors, such as gender or credit score, in determining life insurance rates.
How to Get Life Insurance for High-Risk Applicants
Getting life insurance as a high-risk applicant has challenges, but following the right steps helps you find coverage and get a policy that suits your needs.
- 1Assess Your Risk Level and Coverage Needs
Take a clear look at your financial situation and personal risk factors. Consider your debts, income your family would need to replace and end-of-life costs to arrive at a realistic coverage amount before you look at policy options.
- 2Gather Required Documentation
Collect medical history details, financial paperwork and any health-related records ahead of time. Having these ready helps move the application along and reduces back-and-forth during underwriting.
- 3Consult an Independent Agent
Working with an independent agent isn't required, but it can be useful. They can review plans from multiple insurers that work with higher-risk applicants and point you toward options that fit both your health background and your budget.
- 4Consider No-Exam Policies
If traditional coverage isn't available to you, no-exam life insurance may still be an option. These policies cost more, but approval is simpler and works well for people with serious medical conditions or higher-risk profiles.
- 5Be Honest on Your Application
Fill out your application carefully and provide complete information. Missing details or inaccuracies slow the underwriting process or create issues later. Clear, honest answers about your health, job and lifestyle help avoid problems with approval or coverage cancellation.
- 6Prepare for the Medical Exam
When an exam is part of the process, book it as soon as possible and follow the instructions provided. Get proper rest, fast if requested and bring any required documents so the results reflect your health accurately.
Compare personalized quotes from multiple insurers to get your best rate.
High-Risk Life Insurance Required Documentation Checklist
Gather important documents before you apply to help move underwriting along and give insurers a clear picture of your health history.
Documents to prepare:
- Medical records from your primary care doctor
- Reports from specialists who manage ongoing conditions
- A full list of current medications, including dosages and prescribing providers
- Hospital discharge summaries from recent stays
- Lab work and diagnostic test results from the past two years
- Employment verification and income records
- A driver’s license and motor vehicle history if requested by the insurer
- Financial statements showing assets and outstanding obligations
Additional records tied to certain medical conditions:
- Cancer survivors: Pathology reports and proof that treatment has been completed
- Diabetics: Recent A1C results and blood sugar tracking history
- Heart disease patients: Results from stress tests, cardiac catheterization or related evaluations
Keep these materials organized and ready for submission to avoid delays during review. It'll also support a smoother approval process.
High-Risk Life Insurance Policy: Medical Exam Preparation
Preparing for your life insurance medical exam helps produce clear results and gives insurers a better snapshot of your health.
Before your exam:
- Book the appointment in the morning when you feel rested.
- Follow fasting instructions if they apply. Water is allowed.
- Skip caffeine, alcohol and heavy exercise for at least 24 hours beforehand.
- Aim for a full night of sleep to keep readings consistent.
- Bring a list of medications with current dosages.
- Wear loose clothing or short sleeves so blood work is easier.
Day of the exam:
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated without overdoing it.
- Answer health and lifestyle questions fully and accurately.
- Speak up if any step of the exam is unclear.
- Ask for a copy of the results for your records.
For high-risk applicants:
- Bring recent medical records that show how your condition is managed.
- Be prepared to explain your treatment routine or monitoring habits.
- Share any recent lifestyle changes that support your overall health.
High-Risk Life Insurance Cost
Life insurance for high-risk people costs more than standard policies because insurers will likely pay death benefits sooner.
Your age, chosen policy type and risk severity all affect your premiums. Older applicants and those choosing whole life policies pay more than younger people with term coverage. Serious health conditions, high-risk occupations and dangerous hobbies increase costs further.
You can expect higher premiums if you're classified as high-risk, but coverage remains available. The tables below show average life insurance costs for smokers and people with poor health.
High-Risk Life Insurance Quotes: Average for Smokers
Data filtered by:
10 years
| $100,000 | $42 | $509 |
| $250,000 | $70 | $845 |
| $500,000 | $119 | $1,425 |
| $750,000 | $178 | $2,139 |
| $1,000,000 | $227 | $2,724 |
| $1,500,000 | $335 | $4,018 |
| $2,000,000 | $431 | $5,176 |
| $2,500,000 | $546 | $6,555 |
| $3,000,000 | $640 | $7,693 |
Rates shown are estimates based on MoneyGeek analysis of industry data for 40-year-old male smokers. Your actual rates will vary based on your specific health profile, location, chosen insurer and underwriting results. These rates are for illustrative purposes only and don't constitute quotes or guarantees of coverage availability.
High-Risk Life Insurance Quotes: Average for People in Poor Health
Data filtered by:
10 years
| $100,000 | $16 | $189 |
| $250,000 | $26 | $313 |
| $500,000 | $45 | $545 |
| $750,000 | $66 | $795 |
| $1,000,000 | $84 | $1,012 |
| $1,500,000 | $124 | $1,493 |
| $2,000,000 | $162 | $1,946 |
| $2,500,000 | $203 | $2,436 |
| $3,000,000 | $241 | $2,892 |
Rates shown are estimates based on MoneyGeek analysis of industry data for 40-year-old male smokers. Your actual rates will vary based on your specific health profile, location, chosen insurer and underwriting results. These rates are for illustrative purposes only and don't constitute quotes or guarantees of coverage availability.
Tips to Get Affordable High-Risk Life Insurance
Here are some ways to find affordable high-risk life insurance:
Improve Your Health
Health improvements directly lower your insurance premiums. If you quit smoking or reduce cholesterol levels, you'll move into a less risky classification with lower premiums. Even small health improvements can save you hundreds annually.
Choose Term Over Whole Life
High-risk term life insurance policies cost less than whole life coverage. Term policies provide coverage for specific periods (10, 20 or 30 years) without cash value components, making them more affordable for high-risk applicants.
Bundle Policies
Insurance companies offer discounts when you purchase multiple policies through them, such as auto, home and life insurance. Bundling these policies can reduce your life insurance premium and make high-risk coverage more affordable.
Get quotes from at least three insurers, as high-risk pricing differs between companies. Some insurers focus on high-risk applicants and charge less than mainstream providers.
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE COVERAGE TYPES
If standard term, whole or universal life insurance is out of reach or not offered to you, there are other ways to get some level of coverage:
- Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance: These policies skip the medical exam. Coverage limits are lower and premiums cost more, but approval is straightforward. Most guaranteed acceptance policies include a two to three year graded death benefit period where beneficiaries receive limited payouts if death occurs early.
- Group Life Insurance: Many employers offer group life coverage with fewer health questions. While the benefit amount is limited, it still provides basic financial protection for your family.
- Final Expense Insurance: This option focuses on end-of-life costs such as funeral and burial expenses. Coverage amounts are smaller, making it easier to qualify for.
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Policy: AD&D policies pay benefits only for accident-related death or injury. Premiums cost less than full life insurance, but coverage is more narrow.
Life Insurance for High-Risk Individuals: Bottom Line
Getting life insurance as a high-risk individual means facing higher premiums and limited policy choices. Insurers label you "high-risk" because of pre-existing health conditions, dangerous hobbies or high-risk occupations. Review your specific risk factors to find coverage options that match your budget.
High-Risk Life Insurance Policies: FAQ
Do all insurers classify risk the same way?
No, risk classifications differ among life insurance companies. Shop around and compare offers from multiple insurers to find the best fit for your specific risk profile.
Can you be denied life insurance coverage?
Yes, you can be denied life insurance coverage for severe health conditions or extremely high-risk occupations. However, specialized insurers often provide alternatives when traditional companies decline coverage.
Do premiums change over time?
Premiums increase as you age or if your risk profile changes, such as developing new medical conditions. Term life premiums increase at renewal, while whole life premiums remain level.
Which is better: high-risk term life insurance or high-risk whole life insurance?
High-risk term life insurance works better for temporary needs and costs less, covering you for set periods (10 to 30 years). High-risk whole life insurance provides lifetime coverage with cash value but costs more.
Best High-Risk Life Insurance Rates: Our Review Methodology
High-risk life insurance applicants pay higher premiums and have fewer options than standard applicants. We designed our research to show you what to expect when shopping for coverage.
We collected online quotes from major life insurance companies with broad national coverage.
Sample Customer Profile
We used a standard profile to collect baseline quotes:
- 40-year-old man
- Non-smoker
- 5 feet 9 inches tall and 160 pounds
- Average health rating
For high-risk scenarios, we modified this profile by changing tobacco use status for smokers and requesting quotes for applicants with poor health ratings.
We modified the profile by age, gender, height, weight, tobacco use and health rating to collect a variety of quotes. We collected quotes for term life insurance with varying term lengths and coverage amounts.
Data Analysis
We identified pricing patterns in our data and used those trends to calculate average rates for different customer profiles. This gives realistic rate expectations for high-risk applicants across various coverage scenarios.
The result: Average rate data that helps high-risk applicants understand what they'll pay for different coverage amounts and term lengths based on our comprehensive market analysis.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.