🧠 What Is High-Risk Life Insurance.
High-risk life insurance is designed for people who present a higher-than-average risk to insurers due to:
✅ Common High-Risk Categories:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medical Conditions | Diabetes, cancer history, heart disease, obesity, HIV |
| Occupations | Pilots, firefighters, police, offshore workers, military |
| Hobbies | Skydiving, scuba diving, motorcycle racing, rock climbing |
| Lifestyle | Smoking, vaping, heavy drinking, high BMI, substance use |
| Foreign Residence/Travel | Living in war zones, high-risk countries, frequent international travel |
Being high-risk doesn’t mean uninsurable — it just affects what type of policy you can get and how much you’ll pay.
🧾 3 Main Types of High-Risk Life Insurance
1. 🟢 Standard Term Life Insurance (with Rating)
- A traditional life insurance policy that charges higher premiums based on your risk classification
- May be subject to medical exams and detailed underwriting
Best For: People with controlled medical conditions, moderate-risk lifestyles
2. 🟠 Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
- No medical exam, no health questions
- Guaranteed approval for ages 40–85 (age range varies by provider)
- Low coverage amounts (e.g., $5K–$25K)
- 2-year waiting period: Full benefit paid only after 2 years (accidental death covered immediately)
Best For: Seniors or people with serious health conditions who were denied standard life insurance
3. 🔵 Simplified Issue Life Insurance
- No medical exam, but includes basic health/lifestyle questions
- Approval in days
- Coverage up to $500,000 depending on provider
Best For: People who want faster coverage without a full medical underwriting
🏆 Top Providers of High-Risk Life Insurance (2025)
| Company | Best For | Coverage Amount | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banner Life | Term policies with health issues | $100K–$2M+ | Competitive rates for diabetics, cancer survivors |
| Prudential | High-risk occupations | Up to $10M | Accepts pilots, scuba divers, international travelers |
| AIG | Guaranteed Issue | $5K–$25K | No medical exam, age 50–80, 2-year waiting period |
| Haven Life (by MassMutual) | Simplified issue | Up to $1M | No exam for healthy people under 60; accepts moderate risks |
| Mutual of Omaha | Final expense & GI | $5K–$50K | Popular for seniors, easy online application |
| Ethos Life | High-risk with fast online quotes | $10K–$1.5M | No exam options, tech-forward underwriting |
💰 What Affects Your Premium as a High-Risk Individual.
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Age | Older = higher risk = higher premiums |
| Medical history | Serious or recent conditions = rated higher |
| Smoking status | Smokers may pay 2–3x more |
| BMI / Weight | Obesity can trigger rate classes like Table 2 or 3 |
| Family history | Early deaths from cancer or heart disease matter |
| Travel plans | Frequent travel to high-risk countries may raise flags |
| Occupation | High-danger jobs are rated higher (military, mining, etc.) |
📊 What Are “Table Ratings”
High-risk applicants often receive table ratings instead of standard rate classes.
| Table Rating | What It Means | Cost Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Table A (or 1) | Slightly higher risk | +25% to base premium |
| Table B (or 2) | Moderate risk | +50% |
| Table C (or 3) | High risk | +75% |
| … | … | … |
| Table H (or 8) | Extreme risk | +200% or more |
Example: If a standard rate is $50/month, Table C may be $87.50/month.
🧭 How to Get High-Risk Life Insurance (Step-by-Step)
1. Speak to a Broker Who Specializes in High-Risk
They can shop across multiple providers and know which ones accept your condition.
2. Get a Pre-Underwriting Estimate
Many brokers offer anonymous risk assessments to give you ballpark pricing without a full application.
3. Consider a Medical Exam If You’re Borderline
If your condition is under control (e.g., well-managed diabetes), a full medical exam may help lower your premium vs. guaranteed issue.
4. Apply to Multiple Types
If denied a term policy, switch to simplified or guaranteed issue to avoid gaps in coverage.
🧩 Alternatives If You’re Denied
- Group life insurance (via employer or association): May accept high-risk without medical questions
- Accidental death insurance: Doesn’t cover illness but is easy to qualify for and cheap
- Hybrid life + long-term care policies: May offer better flexibility if health is an issue
🔐 Final Tips to Get Approved for Better Rates
✅ Control blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol before applying
✅ Quit smoking for at least 12 months
✅ Maintain a healthy BMI
✅ Disclose all medications and treatments honestly
✅ Avoid extreme sports during underwriting
✅ Ask for reconsideration if your health improves after approval
📝 Sample Premium Comparison (Age 45 Male, High-Risk Profile)
| Policy Type | Provider | Coverage | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term (Table C) | Banner Life | $250,000 – 20 Years | ~$85/month |
| Simplified Issue | Haven Life | $250,000 – 15 Years | ~$110/month |
| Guaranteed Issue | AIG | $25,000 | ~$70/month |
| Accidental Death | Mutual of Omaha | $250,000 | ~$18/month |
