If you or someone you love has a felony on their record, you might be wondering: “Can I still get life insurance?”
The short answer? Yes — but it depends.
In this honest guide, we’ll break down how life insurance works for people with felony convictions, which companies are more forgiving, what red flags to watch for, and how to improve your chances of approval.
🧠 Why Life Insurance Is Harder for Felons
Life insurance companies assess risk. The higher the risk someone presents — health, lifestyle, or criminal record — the more cautious insurers become. A felony is considered a “major non-medical risk factor”, especially if it involves:
- Violence
- Drug trafficking
- Fraud or financial crimes
- Repeated offenses
- Prison time within the last 10 years
Each company has its own underwriting guidelines, but most follow a general timeline when reviewing felony history.
⏳ How Long Since the Conviction Matters — A LOT
Here’s a general rule of thumb:
| Time Since Conviction/Release | Approval Odds |
|---|---|
| < 1 year | Very unlikely (decline or postpone) |
| 1–5 years | High risk — may require specialized policy |
| 5–10 years | Case-by-case; may qualify for standard policy |
| 10+ years | Often treated like a standard applicant if no other risks |
✅ Pro Tip: Most companies care more about how long you’ve been out of prison and how stable your life is now than the crime itself — especially if it’s older.
✅ Can Felons Be Approved for Life Insurance?
Yes — and it happens more often than you think. Many people with felony records are approved for traditional life insurance, especially if:
- The conviction was non-violent
- They’ve been out of prison for several years
- They have a stable job, residence, and family life
- They’re in good health
- They haven’t committed any new crimes
📋 What Insurers Look At
When a felon applies for life insurance, companies will usually consider:
- Type of felony
- Date of conviction and release
- Prison time and parole status
- Rehabilitation efforts
- Employment and housing history
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Overall health and medical records
- Honesty on the application
Lying about a felony is a guaranteed denial. Most companies will run background checks and ask for disclosure upfront.
🧾 Types of Life Insurance Felons Can Get
Depending on your situation, here are the most likely policy types you can qualify for:
1. Term Life Insurance
This is standard life insurance that covers you for 10, 20, or 30 years. You’ll need to be out of prison at least 5–10 years with a clean record since then.
- Coverage: $100,000–$1,000,000+
- Requires medical exam and background check
- Best rates for healthy, stable applicants
2. Whole Life Insurance
More expensive, but permanent. Some insurers offer small whole life policies to higher-risk individuals.
- Covers you for life
- Builds cash value
- Available in lower amounts ($5,000–$50,000)
3. Final Expense Insurance (Burial Insurance)
Much easier to qualify for — even for recent felons or those with health problems. Focused on funeral and end-of-life costs.
- No medical exam
- Coverage: $5,000–$25,000
- Approval in minutes
4. Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
For felons who can’t qualify anywhere else. There are no medical questions and no background checks.
- Acceptance is 100% guaranteed (ages 50–80)
- Has a 2-year waiting period
- Higher monthly cost per $1,000 of coverage
🔎 Which Companies Are Felon-Friendly?
While most carriers don’t publicly advertise their stance on felony records, some are more flexible than others.
| Company | Known For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | Final Expense | Flexible underwriting |
| AIG | Guaranteed Issue | No background checks |
| Foresters Financial | Term + Whole Life | Strong on rehabilitation stories |
| Gerber Life | Final Expense | High approval for seniors |
| Transamerica | Term Policies | Moderate flexibility |
| Americo | Simplified Issue | Case-by-case review |
🧠 Work with an independent agent who knows which carriers work best with felony records.
📉 How Much Will It Cost?
Premiums vary based on:
- Age
- Health
- Type of policy
- Coverage amount
- Felony type and timing
Here’s a ballpark example:
| Profile | Policy Type | Coverage | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male, 45, released 6 years ago, good health | Term (20 years) | $250,000 | $60–$100/month |
| Female, 62, released 10 years ago | Final Expense | $10,000 | $45–$70/month |
| Male, 55, recent felony, poor health | Guaranteed Issue | $10,000 | $80–$120/month |
💬 Real-Life Scenario
Marcus, 52, served 4 years for non-violent drug charges. He’s been sober for 6 years, runs a small business, and has had no legal issues since. After shopping around, he secured a $100,000 term policy for $71/month.
💡 Lesson: Time + stability = better outcomes.
🧠 Tips to Improve Your Chances of Approval
- Be honest on your application — hiding your past will backfire.
- Wait if possible — the longer since your release, the better your odds.
- Work with an independent agent — they can match you with the right insurer.
- Build a strong personal profile — job, stable address, no recent arrests.
- Consider a final expense or guaranteed issue policy first — then upgrade later.
🛑 Can Felons Be Denied Life Insurance?
Yes — especially if:
- You’re still in prison or on active parole
- Your conviction involved murder, terrorism, or ongoing legal issues
- You lied or left out key info
- You have untreated health issues that stack the risk even higher
But denial doesn’t always mean “never.” You can often reapply after 1–2 years or work with a more flexible provider.
🔍 What About Life Insurance from Employers?
If you have a job with benefits, employer-sponsored life insurance is often available regardless of criminal record — because it’s group coverage. But:
- It’s usually limited to 1x–2x your salary
- It doesn’t follow you if you leave the job
- You might still want private life insurance as backup
📚 Felony Life Insurance Myths — BUSTED
| Myth | Truth |
|---|---|
| “Felons can’t get life insurance” | ✅ Many can, especially after 5–10 years |
| “All insurers run background checks” | ❌ Guaranteed issue policies don’t |
| “It’s way too expensive” | ❌ Final expense can be as low as $30–$50/month |
| “If I lie, I’ll get approved faster” | ❌ Lying = automatic denial or policy cancellation |
✅ Final Checklist: What You Need to Apply
✔️ Date of conviction and release
✔️ Type of felony and whether it was violent
✔️ Current employment and address history
✔️ Contact info for references (some ask)
✔️ Health history or prescription list
✔️ Monthly budget for premiums
✔️ Willingness to be honest and proactive
🔚 Final Thoughts
Yes — felons can get life insurance. It may take more effort, and your options might be limited depending on your history, but approval is absolutely possible.
Your past doesn’t have to define your future — and protecting your loved ones can be part of your next chapter.
💬 Want to compare options?
Contact Us for a referral to a Licensed Broker, who will give you ALL the options so YOU can decide.