If you’ve had a heart attack, you might be wondering if life insurance is still an option for you — or if you’ve been disqualified forever.
Good news: you can absolutely get life insurance after a heart attack.
The real questions are:
- When should you apply?
- What type of policy can you get?
- How much will it cost?
This guide breaks down everything you need to know — including the best companies for heart attack survivors, what underwriting looks for, and how to get approved without overpaying.
❤️ Can You Really Get Life Insurance After a Heart Attack?
✅ Yes — but your approval depends on:
- When the heart attack happened
- How well you’ve recovered
- Your lifestyle and treatment plan
- The severity of the event (and any surgery)
- Other risk factors like diabetes, smoking, or obesity
Most companies will want to see:
- A full cardiac recovery report
- Regular follow-ups with your cardiologist
- No recent hospitalizations or new events
- Medication compliance and healthy lifestyle choices
🩺 How Long Should You Wait to Apply?
Most insurance carriers will require a waiting period before they’ll consider your application:
| Time Since Heart Attack | Likely Outcome |
|---|---|
| Under 6 months | Most carriers will postpone |
| 6–12 months | Some companies will consider — higher risk rating |
| 1–2 years | Many carriers will approve with moderate rates |
| 2+ years | Best time to apply for standard or better rates |
📌 The longer you’ve been stable and event-free, the better your chances — and your premium.
🧠 What Do Insurance Companies Look At?
Underwriters will look closely at:
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Age at time of heart attack | Younger = higher risk classification |
| Number of heart attacks | Multiple events = higher risk |
| Treatment received | Surgery (stent, bypass), medication, rehab |
| Follow-up care | Are you seeing a cardiologist? |
| Current medications | Statins, beta-blockers, blood thinners |
| Lifestyle changes | Diet, exercise, quitting smoking, weight loss |
| Other health issues | Diabetes, kidney issues, hypertension |
💡 The more you’re managing your health, the more favorably you’ll be seen.
🏆 Best Life Insurance Companies for Heart Attack Survivors
Here are the top companies known for their favorable underwriting of cardiac history in 2025:
1. Prudential
- 🔹 Very lenient toward cardiac applicants
- 🔹 Often accepts within 6–12 months post-heart attack
- 🔹 Term, whole, and IUL options
- 🔹 Doesn’t automatically decline for stents or bypass surgery
✅ Why it’s great: One of the few major carriers with custom guidelines for heart-related conditions.
2. Mutual of Omaha
- 🔹 Accepts many applicants 12+ months post-incident
- 🔹 Offers guaranteed issue whole life with no medical exam
- 🔹 Good fit for final expense or modest coverage
- 🔹 Coverage up to age 85
✅ Why it’s great: Accessible to older applicants and those with moderate risk — plus no-exam options.
3. SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance)
- 🔹 Competitive pricing even for rated policies
- 🔹 Strong for term life in middle-aged adults
- 🔹 May accept after 1 year of stability
- 🔹 Simple application process
✅ Why it’s great: Good balance of affordability and underwriting flexibility.
4. AIG
- 🔹 Guaranteed issue option available
- 🔹 Up to $25,000 coverage — no health questions
- 🔹 Perfect fallback if declined elsewhere
- 🔹 Pays out even with heart history
✅ Why it’s great: If you’ve been declined before, this is the “you’re covered no matter what” policy.
💰 What Kind of Policy Can You Get?
Here’s how your options break down post-heart attack:
✅ Term Life Insurance
- Most affordable option
- Great for income protection or mortgage coverage
- Best for those who had a heart attack 1+ years ago and are medically stable
- May require a medical exam and records
✅ Whole Life Insurance
- Lifetime coverage
- Builds cash value
- Acceptable for moderate-risk applicants
- Can be customized with living benefits
✅ Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
- No medical exam
- No health questions
- Usually for ages 50–85
- Lower coverage amounts ($5,000–$25,000)
- Two-year waiting period applies
💡 This is a go-to solution for people declined by traditional carriers.
🧾 Real-Life Example
George, 59, had a heart attack two years ago. He takes daily meds, sees his doctor regularly, and lost 20 pounds.
- Applied with Prudential
- Approved for a $250,000 10-year term
- Monthly premium: $86
- Required records + doctor’s letter — no exam
✅ Because he took his recovery seriously, he got approved with no delays and locked in affordable rates.
⚠️ What Will Your Premium Look Like?
| Risk Class | Monthly Cost (Age 55, $250k Term) |
|---|---|
| Standard | $85–$100/month |
| Table Rated (Mild Risk) | $110–$180/month |
| Guaranteed Issue | $120–$200/month (for lower coverage) |
Actual rates depend on the carrier, your history, and recovery.
🛠 Tips to Improve Your Approval Odds
✅ Apply after your 1-year anniversary post-event
✅ Get doctor letters proving you’re stable
✅ Avoid tobacco use — it’s an instant rate-killer
✅ Lose weight if needed
✅ Take your meds and show consistent follow-up care
✅ Work with a broker who knows high-risk underwriting
❓Will a Heart Attack Always Raise Your Rates?
Not always — if:
- It was minor
- You were older
- You’ve recovered well
- Your lifestyle is clean
- And you have no complications
…you could still get a standard or better rate.
But most people with a heart attack history will get what’s called a “table rating” — a slight increase in premium that reflects added risk.
It’s not the end of the world — and still better than going uninsured.
✅ Final Thoughts
A heart attack doesn’t disqualify you from life insurance — but it does make choosing the right policy more important than ever.
There are:
- Companies that welcome heart attack survivors
- Policies that don’t require an exam
- Ways to qualify for better rates by showing good recovery
So don’t assume the answer is “no.”
✅ The answer is “yes — with the right carrier and the right strategy.”
Want to see which life insurance options are available post-heart attack?
➡️ Click here to get a custom quote →