Top Life Insurance Company That Accepts Pre-Existing Conditions in 2024

Pre-existing conditions are medical ailments a person has before applying for life insurance coverage. Conditions can range from acid reflux or anemia to cancer and HIV. Fortunately, you can obtain coverage with a pre-existing condition, though your life insurance quotes will be higher.

Learning more about life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions will help you determine which policies you can obtain.

Before looking into life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions, enter your ZIP code above to get free life insurance quotes in your area.

What’s the best policy from life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions?

While you can usually find coverage with a medical ailment, there are some life insurance companies that don’t accept pre-existing conditions. Before looking for coverage, you should ask if your circumstances will eliminate you from acceptance.

The type of coverage that you can receive depends on your condition. The Insurance Information Institute says that there are several reasons to purchase permanent life insurance. But in most cases, whole life and universal life insurance are unavailable, as these are long-term plans.

Burial and Final Expense Life Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Most often, life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions will offer burial and final expense life insurance. The table below lists the best life insurance companies for final expense coverage:

Top 10 Best Burial Insurance & Final Expense Life Insurance Companies

Life insurance companies are more likely to provide time-limited options when it comes to policies for those in poor health. This might include term life, guaranteed issue life, or group life insurance plans.

Term Life Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Term insurance for pre-existing medical conditions is not guaranteed but can be available depending on the state of your health. These plans usually range from 10 to 30 years and allow you to lock in low rates, even if you don’t have optimal health.

For term life eligibility, most companies require that you receive treatment for your condition. Your rates will still be higher than the rates for someone without a pre-existing condition, but this is an affordable option if you’re eligible.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Those looking for life insurance for someone with poor health will commonly choose guaranteed issue life insurance. These plans usually include automatic approval, and there is no medical exam, meaning that you can’t be denied coverage because of your health.

This table lists the average guaranteed issue life insurance rates by age to give you an idea of what you might pay for coverage from life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions:

Guaranteed issue life coverage is a permanent plan, lasting for the rest of your life. Rates are guaranteed, ensuring they won’t go up if your health worsens over time.

Group Life Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

Group life insurance is a plan offered by employers and provides life insurance regardless of health. Many employers offer this coverage as a part of the employee benefits package. However, this type of life insurance usually features limited coverage.

Another disadvantage of a group life plan is that it only lasts while you’re employed. If you leave the company through resignation or termination, your coverage will end. However, this is an option for those that are not eligible for traditional coverage.

The best option for most people is term life insurance if possible. For those ineligible for traditional insurance, the next-best choice is usually a guaranteed issue plan.

How does medical history affect rates from life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions?

Life insurance companies place applicants into four classifications based on factors like age and health. These classifications determine the rates of life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions. The four tiers of applicants are:

• Super preferred (or preferred plus)
• Preferred
• Standard (or regular)
• Substandard

Companies usually place applicants with pre-existing conditions into the lower classifications. This placement results in higher rates and could cause coverage denial.

When considering coverage for applicants with pre-existing conditions, companies look at criteria that includes:

• The severity of the condition
• Whether the issue is current or not
• When the person was first diagnosed
• Lifestyle choices that could further increase a person’s risk

Applicants with pre-existing conditions will always receive higher rates than healthy applicants. However, your rates will depend on the other factors mentioned, allowing you to control your rates by taking care of yourself.

A terminal condition is more likely to increase your rates, regardless of how well you take care of yourself. For example, life insurance with pre-existing cancer is always more expensive, even if you’re otherwise healthy.

How can I lower my life insurance rates with a pre-existing condition?

The longer you wait to buy life insurance from companies for pre-existing conditions, the less likely it is that you’ll receive affordable rates. Some of the ways that you can ensure acceptance and lock in lower rates include:

• Applying at a young age
• Improving your health
• Sharing health improvements with your insurer
• Being honest about your condition

Obtaining coverage at a young age is essential when you have a pre-existing condition because your health will likely deteriorate as you get older.

Ideally, you should apply for coverage during your 20s or 30s. Life insurance rates are low, and your condition is probably less severe.

Regardless of whether you have a pre-existing condition or not, improving your health can help you obtain lower life insurance rates. Healthier applicants are likely to live longer, which decreases the risk of insuring them.

If you apply for term life insurance with a pre-existing condition, the company might require that you continue treatment.

Any improvements in your health or condition should be communicated to your life insurance company. Many companies will make adjustments to your monthly rates if you can prove you’re healthier.

Hiding your medical condition will do more harm than good when applying for life insurance coverage. The company will investigate your health and will likely find out if you’ve been lying. This could result in the denial of coverage.

If you explain your situation, affordable life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions might help you find more cost-effective options.

What can I expect when applying to life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions?

Anyone who applies for life insurance will need to produce documentation, such as a driver’s license, tax return, and utility bill. If you have a pre-existing condition, the company might request your medical information to determine your health status.

If you’re applying for a term life plan, you’ll need to take a medical exam. This exam usually takes about 30 minutes and includes checking your height, weight, and blood pressure. Depending on your medical history, you might also have to provide a blood and urine sample.

If you’re applying for a guaranteed issue policy, no medical exam will be necessary. You’ll receive an automatic approval, and you can sign your policy and start making payments within days of your application.

Life insurance for people with pre-existing conditions is available, though rates are higher than for healthy applicants. If term life insurance isn’t an option, you can obtain guaranteed issue life insurance.

Now that you know about life insurance companies that accept pre-existing conditions, enter your ZIP code below to find free life insurance rates in your area.