Living with a chronic illness doesn’t mean you can’t get life insurance.
But it does mean the process might look different—especially when it comes to your options, pricing, and how companies evaluate your health.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease, an autoimmune condition, or another long-term medical issue, the truth is this:
You can still get covered. You just need to know how the system works.
Let’s break it all down—step by step.
✅ Can You Get Life Insurance With a Chronic Illness?
Yes, you absolutely can.
While some chronic conditions can affect your premiums or delay approval, most people with manageable illnesses are still eligible for coverage.
In fact, there are special types of life insurance policies designed for higher-risk applicants—and many companies now take a more personalized approach to underwriting chronic health issues.
🩺 Common Chronic Conditions That Affect Life Insurance
Some of the most common conditions life insurance companies see include:
| Chronic Illness | How It Might Impact Coverage |
|---|---|
| Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes | Approval possible, especially with good A1C control |
| High Blood Pressure | Mild = usually no issue; uncontrolled = higher premiums |
| Asthma or COPD | Depends on severity and oxygen use |
| Heart Disease | Recent heart attack may delay approval |
| Cancer (past or present) | Many carriers require a remission period |
| Autoimmune Disorders | Lupus, MS, RA can impact eligibility depending on activity |
| HIV or Hepatitis | Some companies now offer coverage |
| Kidney or Liver Disease | May require medical records or delay approval |
| Obesity-related conditions | BMI + related risk factors can raise rates |
💡 The key factor is how well your condition is managed.
🧠 How Insurers Evaluate Risk
When you apply for life insurance with a chronic illness, underwriters look at:
- How long you’ve had the condition
- Your treatment plan and medication adherence
- Recent lab results (A1C, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.)
- Doctor visit frequency
- Any hospitalizations or complications
They also factor in:
- Age
- Smoking status
- Family medical history
- Overall health outside the chronic condition
💡 Some insurers are more lenient than others, especially with well-managed illnesses like Type 2 diabetes or controlled hypertension.
🛠️ What Type of Policies Are Available?
Even with a chronic condition, you may qualify for several types of life insurance:
✅ Term Life Insurance
- Affordable coverage for 10, 20, or 30 years
- Often available if your illness is under control
- Requires a medical exam or detailed questionnaire
✅ Whole Life Insurance
- Permanent coverage that builds cash value
- Higher premiums
- Often available for chronic conditions—but may be graded or modified
✅ Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
- No medical exam required
- You can’t be denied
- Lower coverage amounts ($10K–$50K)
- Higher premiums and 2-year waiting period for full benefit
✅ Simplified Issue Life Insurance
- No exam, just health questions
- Mid-tier pricing
- Good option for mild to moderate chronic conditions
🔍 Guaranteed Issue vs. Simplified Issue: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Guaranteed Issue | Simplified Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Exam | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| Health Questions | ❌ None | ✅ Yes |
| Approval Speed | ✅ Very Fast | ✅ Fast |
| Coverage Amounts | 💵 $5K–$50K | 💵 $25K–$500K |
| Pricing | 💰 Higher premiums | 💰 Mid-range |
| Who It’s Best For | 🚫 Denied elsewhere, severe illness | ⚠️ Mild/moderate health issues |
💡 If you’ve been denied traditional coverage, guaranteed issue can be a backup plan.
💡 How to Get the Best Rates With a Chronic Condition
You may not qualify for “Preferred” rates—but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with sky-high premiums.
Here’s how to keep costs down:
✅ Apply when your condition is stable
✅ Get regular checkups and keep medical records current
✅ Follow your doctor’s treatment plan
✅ Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol
✅ Compare multiple insurers—some are more flexible than others
✅ Work with a high-risk life insurance agent who knows the market
💡 The same health condition can get very different quotes depending on the company.
🏆 Top Companies for High-Risk or Chronic Illness Applicants
Some life insurance companies are known for better underwriting for chronic conditions.
| Company | Best For |
|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | Diabetes, COPD, no-exam whole life |
| Banner Life | High blood pressure, mild heart conditions |
| AIG | Guaranteed issue options |
| Prudential | HIV-positive applicants, heart disease |
| SBLI | Budget-friendly simplified issue term policies |
💡 You may also find value in smaller regional carriers with more flexible policies.
❌ What If You’re Denied? (Next Steps)
Getting denied for life insurance doesn’t mean you’re out of options.
Here’s what to do next:
- Ask for a copy of the underwriting report
➤ This will explain why you were denied. - Look into simplified or guaranteed issue policies
➤ No medical exam and easier approval - Apply with a different insurer
➤ Every company evaluates risk differently - Work with a broker who specializes in high-risk coverage
➤ They’ll know which carriers are most likely to approve you - Improve your health and reapply in 6–12 months
➤ Show stabilized labs, better control, or treatment adherence
🗓️ When to Apply and What to Expect
- Apply as early as possible—rates go up with age
- Prepare for a detailed application (medical history, prescriptions, physician contact info)
- Be ready for a medical exam, unless choosing a no-exam policy
- The process may take 2–6 weeks for traditional policies
- Guaranteed issue approval can happen in as little as 1–3 days
💡 Honesty is key—don’t try to hide your condition. It could invalidate your policy later.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Will my premiums always be higher because of my illness?
➤ Not always. If your condition is mild and well-managed, rates can still be reasonable.
Can I skip the medical exam?
➤ Yes—look for simplified or guaranteed issue policies.
Can I get coverage if I have multiple chronic conditions?
➤ It’s possible, especially with guaranteed issue or lower benefit policies.
What’s the difference between being “rated” and being “denied”?
➤ A “rated” policy means you’re approved but at a higher price. A denial means no offer at all.
Will my policy pay out if I die from my condition?
➤ Yes—as long as you were honest on your application and your contestability period (usually 2 years) has passed.
✅ Final Thoughts: You Can Still Protect Your Family
A chronic illness doesn’t disqualify you from life insurance.
But it does mean you need to approach things strategically.
- Apply when your health is stable
- Know your options: term, whole, simplified, guaranteed
- Don’t settle—compare multiple offers
- And don’t delay—because tomorrow’s health is never guaranteed
The right policy is out there.
And your family’s peace of mind is absolutely worth finding it.
👉 Read Next:
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance: What It Is And Who Should Get It
If you’re dealing with a chronic illness, guaranteed issue life insurance might be one of your few options—but is it actually worth the price? Learn what these policies really cover, what they cost, and how to know if it’s your best next step.
