Life Insurance Options If You’ve Been Declined or Have Serious Health Issues

Have you been declined for life insurance because of health issues? You’re not alone. Many people with pre-existing conditions, chronic illnesses, or multiple prescriptions assume they’re uninsurable—but that’s rarely true.

The key is knowing which insurance companies treat health conditions fairly and which types of policies give you the best chance of approval. Here, you’ll see your real options, including term life, whole life, no-exam, and guaranteed-issue coverage.

We’ve helped hundreds of clients with serious health conditions secure life insurance—even after they were turned down elsewhere. Here’s what you need to know to get coverage without overpaying or wasting time on dead-end applications.

Start Here If Any of These Apply to You:

• You’ve been declined for life insurance
• You have multiple medical conditions
• You’re on Social Security disability or not currently working
• You take several prescription medications
• You want coverage without a medical exam
• You’ve been told life insurance is “too expensive”

How to Qualify for Life Insurance with Bad Health or Pre-Existing Conditions

Even with health challenges, life insurance isn’t out of reach — you just need to know your options. Some policies are easier to qualify for than others, and each insurance company treats pre-existing conditions differently. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for term or permanent coverage, no-exam policies, or guaranteed issue plans for high-risk applicants. Below, we break down the main types of coverage, explain what to expect in underwriting, and show you how to find the best plan for your health and budget.

Best Life Insurance Options for People With Bad Health

1. Term Life Insurance for Bad Health

If you need coverage for a set period—like 5, 10, 20, or 30 years—term life insurance can still be an option, even with health challenges. Term policies are generally the most affordable, but qualifying may be trickier if you have pre-existing conditions. Insurers assign a “table rating” based on your health, which affects your premium.

How much you pay depends on your age and overall health profile. Rates vary widely between companies, so it pays to compare multiple carriers. In some cases, we run anonymous test cases to see which carriers might offer favorable terms before submitting a full application.

Some carriers are more lenient than others:

• Foresters Financial – Often friendly toward diabetes.
• Prudential or Banner Life – Good for asthma or controlled blood pressure.
• Cincinnati Life – May approve heart conditions others decline.

Each company uses its own underwriting formula. That’s why shopping through a single company—or a call-center agent with limited carriers—almost guarantees you’ll overpay or receive a decline. We test the waters before you apply—no wasted applications, no automatic

If you’re on Social Security disability, consider permanent life options below. Term life carriers will likely decline you because term coverage is designed to protect an income stream from employment or a business. There are exceptions, but these policies often come with higher rates that increase every 5 years until expiration.

2. Permanent Life Insurance for Bad Health

For lifelong protection or easier qualification, permanent life insurance, such as whole life, is often the best choice. Unlike term policies, permanent coverage provides guaranteed protection for life, and premiums typically never increase. This makes it ideal for people with health challenges who may struggle to qualify for standard term coverage.

Whole life insurance generally has more relaxed underwriting standards than term policies. Many carriers will accept conditions that would otherwise cause a term policy to be rated up or declined. In some cases, no-exam policies are available, allowing approval without a medical exam—perfect for applicants with pre-existing conditions who want fast coverage.

For higher coverage amounts, or applicants whose health is borderline but bloodwork is reasonable, a paramedical exam can sometimes result in lower premiums. A nurse will visit your home or office at no cost to collect the necessary information.

Even for smaller coverage needs under $50,000, no-exam whole life policies can provide first-day, lifetime protection for applicants into their late 80s—even with pre-existing conditions. For those with severe health issues who cannot qualify for traditional policies, guaranteed issue whole life remains an option, ensuring coverage when nothing else will.

3. Guaranteed Issue Whole Life (Last-Resort Option)

If your health is very poor or you’ve been declined multiple times, there’s still one type of policy that will accept you: guaranteed issue whole life insurance. These plans ask no health questions and require no exams. Acceptance is automatic for applicants within the eligible age range (usually 50–80).

The trade-off: they’re more expensive and have a two-year waiting period before full benefits pay out for natural causes. But for someone told “no” everywhere else, they’re often the only real option. Learn more here.

Health Conditions That Can Still Qualify

We regularly help clients with the following conditions find affordable coverage:

• Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
• Heart attack or heart disease (post-treatment)
• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• Asthma or COPD
• History of cancer in remission
• Stroke recovery (over 12 months)
• Depression or anxiety
• Sleep apnea or obesity

Each insurer has its own “comfort zones.” What one company declines, another might approve without hesitation. That’s the advantage of working with an independent life insurance agency instead of being stuck with one brand’s rulebook.

How to Apply Without Getting Declined

• Start with a pre-screen. We send anonymous test cases to multiple carriers to identify your best options before applying.
• Be honest, but strategic. Carriers use prescription databases and MIB reports, so hiding information only hurts you.
• Avoid mass online quote forms. They often sell your info and trigger unwanted calls or spam.
• Work with a broker. Independent agents compare rates and underwriting from 15+ insurers at once.

The Takeaway

Having health challenges doesn’t mean life insurance is out of reach. Different insurers treat pre-existing conditions in unique ways, and the right policy depends on your overall health, age, gender, and coverage needs.

Term life insurance can be a cost-effective solution for a defined period, but it may come with higher ratings or limited options if your health isn’t optimal. Permanent life insurance, including whole life or guaranteed issue policies, often provides lifelong protection with easier qualification for people with pre-existing conditions. No-exam options can also simplify the process and get you covered quickly.

Getting the right life insurance for people with bad health comes down to connecting with a seasoned independent agent. The key is working with a professional advisor who knows which insurance companies are likely to approve higher-risk applicants and can compare a dozen or more carriers for you. This is how to find the best insurance company, coverage, and rates.

If you’d like help finding the right policy for your health, give us a call at 269-244-3420. We can review your options and guide you to coverage that fits your needs and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions: Life Insurance Options for People with Health Challenges