If you’ve ever been told “you don’t qualify” because of your health, you’re not alone.
From diabetes to depression, asthma to cancer recovery — millions of Americans face a difficult truth: pre-existing conditions can make life insurance harder to get… but not impossible.
This guide is your no-fluff breakdown of how life insurance works when you have a medical history, including:
- What counts as a “pre-existing condition”
- Which companies are more flexible
- How to get approved faster
- And the best type of policies to look for
Let’s dive in.
✅ What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition is any illness, diagnosis, or health concern you had before applying for life insurance.
Insurers use this to evaluate your risk level, which affects:
- Whether you get approved
- How much coverage you can buy
- How high your premiums are
🩺 Common Pre-Existing Conditions Life Insurance Companies Look At:
- Diabetes (Type 1 & 2)
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Anxiety and depression
- Heart conditions
- Cancer (current or past)
- Sleep apnea
- Obesity
- Autoimmune disorders
- History of substance use
Some of these may only slightly impact your rates. Others might lead to coverage delays or denials — but only with certain types of policies.
🕵️♂️ Will the Insurance Company Find Out?
Yes.
When you apply, they’ll ask detailed health questions — and often pull records like:
- Your prescription history
- Your doctor visits
- Lab results
- Prior insurance applications
They may also require:
- A medical exam
- Blood/urine testing
- Additional medical records
Don’t try to hide anything.
If an insurance company discovers undisclosed conditions later, they can:
- Deny your claim
- Cancel the policy
- Or refuse to pay your beneficiaries
💡 Good News: You Still Have Options
Here’s what many people don’t realize:
There are several types of policies built for people with pre-existing conditions.
1. Simplified Issue Life Insurance
- No medical exam required
- Just a few health questions
- Coverage in days, not weeks
- Great for conditions that are controlled or moderate
🔹 Best For: High blood pressure, controlled diabetes, anxiety, asthma
2. Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
- No health questions at all
- Guaranteed approval
- Smaller coverage amounts (usually $5K–$50K)
- Higher premiums due to risk
🔹 Best For: People who’ve been denied coverage elsewhere
3. Group Life Insurance (Through Work)
- No medical underwriting
- Often automatic enrollment
- Can keep coverage even with major health conditions
- Not always portable if you leave your job
🔹 Best For: Anyone employed with access to benefits
4. High-Risk Life Insurance Carriers
Some companies specialize in covering people with chronic or complex conditions.
They may:
- Accept higher-risk applicants
- Adjust coverage to fit the risk
- Charge slightly more — but still offer solid protection
Examples: Mutual of Omaha, AIG, Transamerica (depending on condition)
💰 What Affects Your Premium?
When you have a pre-existing condition, insurers want to know:
- When you were diagnosed
- How well it’s managed (meds, doctor visits)
- Your overall lifestyle (smoking, weight, alcohol)
- If the condition is progressive, stable, or improving
Your rate will depend on whether your condition:
- Is controlled with treatment
- Has caused complications
- Is associated with increased mortality risk
📈 Real-Life Example: Life Insurance With Diabetes
Melissa, age 44, has had Type 2 diabetes for 8 years.
She:
- Takes medication daily
- Visits her doctor twice a year
- Has a healthy BMI
- No major complications
She applies for a 20-year, $250,000 term policy.
Because she’s managing her condition well, she gets approved with only a slight premium bump.
Had she been insulin-dependent, obese, or skipping treatment, she may have been denied or offered a much higher rate.
🚨 Conditions That May Trigger Denials (and What to Do)
If your condition is:
- Recently diagnosed
- Untreated or uncontrolled
- Related to terminal illness
- Undergoing active treatment (e.g., chemotherapy)
…you may be temporarily declined or asked to reapply later.
🔁 What to Do:
- Apply for guaranteed issue to get some basic coverage now
- Reapply with traditional or simplified issue once the condition is under control
🤔 Should You Work With an Agent?
Yes — but choose carefully.
Many agents only work with one or two carriers. If those companies don’t allow your condition, they’ll tell you you’re uninsurable — when in reality, you’re not.
A good independent life insurance agent can:
- Shop your application to multiple carriers
- Find the best fit for your health profile
- Save you thousands over time
💡 You can also compare quotes online, but make sure the site uses multiple carriers — not just one.
🔄 Can You Convert to Better Coverage Later?
YES.
Many simplified or guaranteed issue policies allow you to:
- Convert to traditional term or whole life later
- Add additional coverage as your health improves
- Keep your current policy in the meantime
Start with what you can qualify for now — then upgrade later.
📌 Quick Tip: Stack Policies
If you can’t get $250,000 from one insurer, try:
- $100K from one company
- $50K from another
- A final expense policy on top
You can legally own multiple policies — and combine them to meet your needs.
👩⚕️ Which Conditions Are Easier to Insure?
| Condition | Approval Chances | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure | Very high | If controlled with medication |
| High cholesterol | Very high | Lifestyle changes help lower rates |
| Type 2 diabetes | Medium–high | Insulin use may raise rates |
| Anxiety/depression | High | Especially if no hospitalizations |
| Cancer (remission) | Varies | Depends on time since treatment & type |
| Asthma | High | Rarely impacts rates unless severe |
| Obesity | Medium | BMI under 40 is usually acceptable |
| Sleep apnea | Medium | Must be using CPAP and compliant with treatment |
📣 What You Shouldn’t Do
- ❌ Don’t hide your condition
- ❌ Don’t apply with multiple carriers at once without help
- ❌ Don’t wait until you’re older or sicker
The earlier you apply, the better your chances and rates.
💬 FAQ
❓ Can I Get Life Insurance If I Had Cancer?
Yes, in many cases — especially if:
- You’ve been in remission for several years
- The cancer was low-grade or non-metastatic
- You’ve had regular follow-ups with no recurrence
❓ How Long After a Diagnosis Should I Wait?
Depends on the condition:
- High blood pressure or cholesterol: No waiting needed
- Cancer: 1–5 years, depending on type
- Mental health: Usually no waiting if stable on medication
Ask a broker or agent — many can pre-screen without triggering a denial.
🧠 Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Get Life Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions
It’s easy to feel discouraged when you’re dealing with health challenges — especially when insurance companies seem to make things harder.
But here’s the truth:
You don’t need to be perfectly healthy to protect your family.
There are options.
There are strategies.
And there are companies willing to work with you.
Don’t let one “no” stop you from finding the “yes” that could change everything.
👉 Want help exploring your options?
Check out our expert-backed guides to: