Insurance companies categorize applicants into risk classifications to determine eligibility and premium rates. These classifications rely on various factors, including health status, lifestyle choices and occupation.
Life Insurance for High-Risk Individuals (2025 Guide)
Life insurance for high-risk individuals is possible to obtain by comparing providers or applying for no-exam policies.
Find out if you're overpaying for life insurance below.
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Updated: December 4, 2025
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Key Takeaways
High-risk life insurance applicants often face higher premiums and limited policy options.
Various factors like health, occupation and lifestyle contribute to a person's risk status.
High-risk applicants can usually still find coverage through careful planning and consultation.
What is Considered High Risk for Life Insurance?
Understanding life insurance risk factors helps you make informed decisions regarding policies for high-risk applicants. These factors influence your eligibility and directly affect the cost of your premiums:
- ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
- Cancer (any type or history)
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
- Heart Disease
- HIV & 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 can seriously affect premiums. Insurers often view these medical issues as indicators of potentially shorter life expectancy, elevating your risk profile. For instance, a recent diagnosis of a severe health condition could lead to much higher premiums compared to someone 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 can 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. For example, life insurance for a smoker comes with higher premiums than a policy for a nonsmoker.
Similarly, someone who engages in heavy drinking might also face higher premiums because insurers consider these lifestyle choices as factors that could shorten life expectancy.
Life Insurance Risk Classifications
Risk Classification | Description |
|---|---|
Preferred Best | This classification is for the lowest-risk applicants with excellent health and no risky behaviors. These people receive the most favorable premium rates. |
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 may have minor risk factors, such as elevated cholesterol levels. Premiums are competitive but not low compared to the top two categories. |
Standard | This category includes applicants with moderate risk factors, such as mild health conditions or occupations with some level of risk. Premiums are generally higher in this category than in the Preferred category. |
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 typically higher, reflecting the increased risk. |
Risk classification standards and available rating factors vary by state and insurance company.
How to Get Life Insurance for High-Risk Applicants
Getting life insurance as a high-risk applicant may present some challenges, but knowing the steps to take can help you find coverage and secure a policy that suits your needs.
- 1Assess Your Risk Level and Coverage Needs
Review your personal risk factors and determine how much life insurance you should carry. Add up your debts, income replacement needs and final expenses to set a clear coverage target before comparing policies.
- 2Gather Required Documentation
Prepare your medical records, financial documents and any relevant health information in advance. Having everything ready speeds up underwriting and shows insurers that you are organized and prepared.
- 3Consult an Independent Agent
An independent agent is optional but helpful. They can compare policies from several high-risk life insurance companies and guide you toward options that match your health profile and budget.
- 4Consider No-Exam Policies
If traditional policies decline you, no-exam life insurance may be an alternative. These plans come with higher premiums but are easier to qualify for, especially if you have serious health concerns or other high-risk factors.
- 5Be Honest on Your Application
Complete the application carefully and accurately. Mistakes or missing details often cause delays. Be upfront about your health, lifestyle and occupation; withholding information or giving inaccurate answers can lead to a policy cancellation later.
- 6Prepare for the Medical Exam
If a medical exam is required, schedule it promptly and follow the preparation instructions. Arrive well-rested, fast if needed and bring any requested paperwork so your results are accurate.
Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find your best rate.
High-Risk Life Insurance Required Documentation Checklist
Gather comprehensive documentation before applying to speed up underwriting and show insurers you're managing your health.
Important documents to prepare:
- Medical records from your primary care physician
- Reports from specialists treating any chronic conditions
- A complete list of current medications, dosages and prescribing doctors
- Hospital discharge summaries from any recent admissions
- Lab results and diagnostic tests completed within the last two years
- Employment verification and income-related documents
- Driver’s license and motor vehicle records if the insurer requires them
- Financial statements detailing your assets and outstanding debts
Additional documents based on specific medical conditions:
- Cancer survivors: Pathology findings and documentation confirming completion of treatment
- Diabetics: Recent A1C readings and glucose monitoring history
- Heart disease patients: Results from cardiac catheterization, stress tests or other cardiac evaluations
Having these documents organized and ready to submit can speed up the underwriting process and may help you qualify for better rates.
High-Risk Life Insurance Policy: Medical Exam Preparation
Preparing properly for your life insurance medical exam helps ensure accurate results and may improve your risk classification.
Before your exam:
- Schedule the appointment in the morning when you are well-rested.
- Fast for eight to twelve hours if required; water is fine.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol and strenuous activity for 24 hours beforehand.
- Get a full night of sleep to help keep your blood pressure steady.
- Bring a list of your current medications and dosages.
- Wear comfortable clothing with short sleeves for easy access to your arm.
Day of the exam:
- Stay hydrated, but avoid drinking excessive amounts of water.
- Answer all health and lifestyle questions honestly.
- Ask for clarification if anything in the process is unclear.
- Request a copy of your exam results for your personal records.
For high-risk applicants:
- Bring recent medical records that show stable condition management.
- Be ready to explain how you monitor and control your condition.
- Discuss any positive lifestyle changes you have made recently.
High-Risk Life Insurance Cost
The cost of life insurance for high-risk people costs more than standard policies becasue insurers face higher odds of paying 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 significantly 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:
$100,000
| 10 years | $36 | $437 |
| 15 years | $45 | $538 |
| 20 years | $55 | $664 |
| 25 years | $80 | $957 |
| 30 years | $91 | $1,096 |
| 35 years | $113 | $1,361 |
| 40 years | $169 | $2,038 |
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 do not constitute quotes or guarantees of coverage availability.
High-Risk Life Insurance Quotes: Average for People in Poor Health
Data filtered by:
$100,000
| 10 years | $15 | $172 |
| 15 years | $19 | $215 |
| 20 years | $23 | $267 |
| 25 years | $30 | $361 |
| 30 years | $38 | $437 |
| 35 years | $43 | $522 |
| 40 years | $69 | $828 |
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 do not constitute quotes or guarantees of coverage availability.
Tips to Get Affordable High-Risk Life Insurance
You can use several strategies to find an affordable high-risk life insurance policy:
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 significantly 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.
Compare quotes from at least three insurers because high-risk pricing varies among companies. Some insurers specialize in high-risk applicants and offer better rates than traditional providers.
CONSIDER ALTERNATIVE COVERAGE TYPES
If traditional term, whole or universal life insurance policies are too expensive or unavailable, consider these alternatives:
- Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance: No medical exam required, but coverage amounts are limited and premiums are higher
- Group Life Insurance: Available through employers, often with simplified underwriting
- Final Expense Insurance: Smaller coverage amounts designed to cover burial costs and final expenses
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Policy: Covers death or injury from accidents only, with lower premiums than full life insurance
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.
Understanding what contributes to your high-risk status helps you prepare financially and find coverage that fits your needs.
High-Risk Life Insurance Policies: FAQ
We answer common questions about life insurance for high-risk applicants to help you make more informed financial decisions.
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 may 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 can increase as you age or if your risk profile changes, such as developing new medical conditions. Term life premiums typically increase at renewal, while whole life premiums usually 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 significantly more.
Best High-Risk Life Insurance Rates: Our Review Methodology
High-risk life insurance applicants face higher premiums and limited options compared to standard applicants. We designed our research to show you what to expect when shopping for coverage.
We collected quotes from major life insurance companies with broad national coverage that provide online quotes. This ensures our rate data reflects what you'll actually encounter when shopping for 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. 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.