Life Insurance for High-Risk Applicants

What Is a High-Risk Applicant for Life Insurance?

A high-risk applicant for life insurance is someone the insurer sees as statistically more likely to pass away during the policy term.

This often includes people with health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. It can also apply to those who work in dangerous jobs like firefighting, aviation, or construction, or who enjoy risky hobbies such as scuba diving or skydiving.

Insurers review these details during the underwriting process to decide your eligibility, coverage amount, and monthly premium. Being high-risk doesn’t mean rejection, but it can lead to higher premiums or fewer coverage options.

How Insurers Evaluate Risk

Insurers assess your risk to determine how likely you are to make a claim during your policy term. They evaluate several personal and lifestyle factors before offering coverage, such as:

• Health and medical history: Pre-existing conditions, family health patterns, and recent checkups.
• Occupation: Jobs involving physical danger or high stress can raise your risk level.
• Lifestyle habits: Smoking, alcohol use, or risky hobbies like skydiving or racing. Tobacco users almost always pay higher premiums.
• Age and gender: Older applicants may face higher premiums. Premiums for males are usually higher than those for females due to their shorter average life expectancy.
• Driving record: Frequent accidents or violations can impact your classification.
• Medical exam results: Blood tests, vitals, and other screenings confirm your current health.
• Health data: In no-exam policies, insurers review factors such as medical data and prescription history.

Read: Different types of life insurance

Who is Typically Considered High-Risk by Life Insurers?

Life insurers consider someone high-risk if certain factors increase the chances of an early claim or health complications. These risks can come from medical, occupational, or lifestyle circumstances that make insuring the person more uncertain.

People With Certain Health Conditions

Medical history plays a huge role in how insurers assess risk. Chronic illnesses, past diagnoses, or ongoing treatments can affect your premiums or eligibility. Some examples may include:

• Heart-related conditions: Heart disease, arrhythmia, or past heart attacks.
• Metabolic disorders: Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2), obesity, or thyroid disorders.
• Respiratory issues: Asthma, COPD, or chronic bronchitis.
• Cancer history: Current or past cancer diagnoses, especially within five years.
• Mental health: Depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder.
• Neurological conditions: Epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease.
• Other chronic illnesses: Kidney disease, liver disease, or autoimmune disorders.

People with High-Risk Jobs

Your occupation can directly affect your insurability if it involves physical danger, travel, or unpredictable environments. Some examples include:

• First responders: Firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics.
• Aviation roles: Pilots, flight engineers, helicopter operators.
• Construction and heavy labor: Roofers, electricians, miners, or crane operators.
• Maritime and offshore work: Commercial fishermen, oil rig workers, or sailors.
• Military and defense: Active-duty soldiers, private contractors in conflict zones.
• Transportation: Truck drivers, delivery workers in hazardous conditions.

People With High-Risk Hobbies or Lifestyles

Recreational activities and lifestyle habits that increase your exposure to injury or health problems also raise red flags for insurers. Some of the main examples include:

• Adventure sports: Skydiving, scuba diving, rock climbing, or base jumping.
• Motorsports: Car racing, motorcycle racing, or off-road rally events.
• Extreme travel: Mountaineering, remote expeditions, or wilderness trekking.
• Lifestyle habits: Smoking, vaping, or using tobacco in any form.
• Substance use: Heavy alcohol consumption or recreational drug use.
• Driving history: DUIs, speeding tickets, or multiple accidents.
• Occupational-adjacent hobbies: Private flying, boating, or hunting.

Read: Final Expense Insurance for Seniors

What Are Your Life Insurance Options if You’re High-Risk?

Being high-risk means you’ll need to choose the right policy type for your situation. Insurers offer several options designed to balance the risk for people with unique health, job, or lifestyle factors.

Term Life Policies for High-Risk Applicants

Term life insurance offers protection for a fixed period (typically 10, 20, or 30 years) at a lower upfront cost. It’s often easier to qualify for than permanent coverage, even if you have moderate health issues or a risky job. You can also choose shorter terms to keep premiums affordable. Some policies offer the option to convert to permanent coverage later.

Permanent Life Insurance

Permanent life insurance provides lifelong coverage and includes a cash value component that can grow over time. Once approved, your policy remains active as long as premiums are paid regardless of changes in your health, lifestyle, or occupation. Although the premiums are higher, you gain stability, long-term security, and potential savings benefits.

No-Exam and Guaranteed Issue Options

No-exam policies (such as simplified and  guaranteed issue life insurance) are designed for people who struggle to qualify through traditional underwriting. These plans don’t require medical exams-just answer a few health questions, making them accessible but often with higher premiums and smaller benefit amounts.

How Does Being High-Risk Affect Coverage and Premiums?

If an insurer sees you as high-risk, it simply means they believe there’s a greater chance they’ll have to pay out your policy sooner. That doesn’t mean you can’t get coverage, but it can change how much you pay and what kind of plan you qualify for.

Some companies might limit your coverage amount, shorten your term, or charge a higher monthly premium to balance out that added risk.

Why High-Risk Applicants Usually Pay More

If your health, job, or hobbies make a claim more likely, insurers raise your life policy rates to cover that possibility.

People with conditions like heart disease or diabetes, those working in hazardous fields like firefighting or construction, or anyone with a history of smoking or heavy drinking typically face higher premiums. 

Read: Can You Get Life Insurance if You Have Diabetes

How to Apply for Life Insurance as a High-Risk Applicant

Applying for life insurance when you’re considered high-risk can feel intimidating, but it’s absolutely possible. With a little preparation and smart timing, you can improve your chances of approval and secure better coverage terms. 

What to Prepare Before Applying

Insurers will want a clear picture of your health, lifestyle, and occupation, so it helps to have all your documents ready before applying. Here’s what you can prepare:

• Medical history: Collect records of diagnoses, treatments, prescriptions, and recent checkups.
• Doctor’s details: Have contact information for your primary physician or any specialists.
• Lab results: Bring copies of recent test results if available.
• Prescription medication: Note all current prescription medications and dosages.
• Occupation details: Be ready to describe your job duties, especially if your work involves physical risk or travel.
• Lifestyle disclosure: List any high-risk hobbies (e.g., scuba diving, motor racing) or habits like smoking or drinking.
• Financial information: Know the coverage amount you need and your current income to determine affordability. 

Should You Apply Now or Wait Until Your Situation Improves?

If your health is stable or your job risk won’t change soon, applying now can lock in coverage before things shift.

On the other hand, if you’re actively improving your health (like quitting smoking, losing weight, or managing a condition), waiting a few months might help you qualify for lower premiums.

Read: Flexible Premium Adjustable Life Insurance

How High-Risk Applicants Can Improve Their Chances of Getting Life Insurance

Even if you’re considered high-risk, there are a few simple steps you can take to strengthen your application and qualify for better coverage. Here’s how you can improve your chances:

• Get a recent medical checkup: Updated results showing good control of your condition can reassure insurers.
• Follow your doctor’s advice: Sticking to treatment plans, medications, or lifestyle recommendations shows stability and responsibility.
• Quit smoking or reduce alcohol use: Even a few months of change can significantly improve your risk profile.
• Adopt healthier habits: Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and maintaining a healthy weight help lower premiums over time.
• Consider smaller coverage amounts first: Starting with a lower policy value may make approval easier, with the option to increase coverage later.
• Be honest on your application: Full disclosure builds trust and prevents future claim issues or policy cancellations.