For some people, obtaining life insurance is not straightforward. Health conditions, lifestyle choices, and other factors heavily influence whether an insurance company considers you a suitable candidate. While it may be tempting to withhold or falsify information on your application, this approach backfires in the long run. Even if it initially leads to an attractive policy with favorable rates, any discrepancies will likely be uncovered when a claim is made, resulting in a denial.
The reasons for being declined can vary widely between companies. Nevertheless, understanding the most common reasons behind denied applications can help you navigate the process better and improve your chances of approval.
Getting denied for life insurance can be unsettling, particularly when the security of your loved ones is at stake. Knowing the top reasons why applications are rejected, along with proactive steps to address them, is crucial for securing the coverage you need.
So let’s start…
Reasons to Deny a Life Insurance application
Uncontrolled Blood Pressure: If your blood pressure remains consistently high and isn’t managed medically, this could lead to a rejection of your life insurance application. However, if it’s controlled with medication, some insurers may still offer coverage, though specialized insurance products (e.g., No Medical Life Insurance) might be necessary.
Drug Use: Any history of drug use is a major red flag for life insurance companies. You’ll typically need to demonstrate a few years of sobriety before being considered for coverage again.
Liver Disease: Conditions like cirrhosis, hepatitis, or alcohol-related liver damage can impact your application. While some cases are insurable, it largely depends on the specifics of your condition and the insurer.
Foreign Travel: Planning a trip to a high-risk or unstable region can cause insurers to delay, exclude, or decline coverage. Each insurer has different definitions of what constitutes a risky location, so it’s essential to check their policies.
Criminal Activities: Being involved in illegal activities or having a criminal record can be grounds for denial. Insurers are wary of the potential health risks, including stress from incarceration or potential harm in prison.
Diabetes: If you have diabetes, life insurance is generally available, especially if it’s well-controlled and you don’t have additional high-risk conditions. However, uncontrolled diabetes can complicate your chances of securing coverage.
ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis): ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease, poses a significant risk. Due to the severity of the condition, it typically falls into a high-risk category that may lead to rejection.
Dangerous Recreational Activities: If you engage in high-risk sports like rock climbing, skydiving, or paragliding professionally, some insurers may decline coverage. There are, however, policies that cater to such high-risk activities.
Stroke: Whether you’ve had a minor stroke or a more severe type like an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, insurers will usually require a lengthy period of demonstrated stability before reconsidering your application.
Careless Driving or DUI: A history of careless driving or DUI can lead insurers to reject or cancel a policy due to the higher risk of accidents or death. Developing safer driving habits is crucial to improving your insurability.
Lupus: This autoimmune disease can lead to complications like inflammation in organs such as the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Your ability to secure insurance depends on the type of lupus you have and your overall stability post-diagnosis.
Obesity: If your body mass index (BMI) is significantly high, it could lead to your life insurance application being denied. The positive side is that losing weight and improving your health could increase your chances of approval.
Heart Disease: Conditions like coronary artery disease don’t automatically disqualify you, but they will limit your options. Only a smaller pool of insurers may be willing to offer you a policy.
Expert tip from Sean Borland
Being approved by an insurance is associated by how much risk the insurance company is willing to take on, if you have a terrible driving record where your license has been taken away, multiple speeding fines etc. you could be denied by the insurance company as they see you as a high risk. The other thing an insurance company looks at his if the individual can pay for the premiums so I you have declared bankruptcy, are unemployed or have poor credit this may affect your application.
If you are denied by an insurance company, it’s important to consult with a licensed insurance advisor to look at your options as there may be other insurance companies that can help with your situation.
Stroke: Whether you’ve had a minor stroke or a more severe type like an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, insurers will usually require a lengthy period of demonstrated stability before reconsidering your application.
Careless Driving or DUI: A history of careless driving or DUI can lead insurers to reject or cancel a policy due to the higher risk of accidents or death. Developing safer driving habits is crucial to improving your insurability.
Lupus: This autoimmune disease can lead to complications like inflammation in organs such as the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Your ability to secure insurance depends on the type of lupus you have and your overall stability post-diagnosis.
Obesity: If your body mass index (BMI) is significantly high, it could lead to your life insurance application being denied. The positive side is that losing weight and improving your health could increase your chances of approval.
Heart Disease: Conditions like coronary artery disease don’t automatically disqualify you, but they will limit your options. Only a smaller pool of insurers may be willing to offer you a policy.
Expert tip from Sean Borland
Being approved by an insurance is associated by how much risk the insurance company is willing to take on, if you have a terrible driving record where your license has been taken away, multiple speeding fines etc. you could be denied by the insurance company as they see you as a high risk. The other thing an insurance company looks at his if the individual can pay for the premiums so I you have declared bankruptcy, are unemployed or have poor credit this may affect your application.
If you are denied by an insurance company, it’s important to consult with a licensed insurance advisor to look at your options as there may be other insurance companies that can help with your situation.
Dangerous Occupation: Some jobs, like mining, bomb disposal, or offshore diving, are inherently dangerous. Insurance companies may decline coverage if your profession is deemed too high-risk.
Parkinson’s Disease: Early-stage Parkinson’s, with minimal symptoms, can often be covered. However, more advanced stages of the disease may reduce your options. Some insurers offer specialized products for these cases.
Cancer: High-grade or advanced-stage cancers are viewed as highly risky by insurers. Your approval will depend on the type of cancer and its stage. Working with a skilled broker can help you find a company that might offer coverage.
Kidney Disease: Various kidney conditions like glomerulonephritis or renal insufficiency can affect your ability to get insured. Depending on the disease’s stage and your overall health, some insurers may still offer coverage.
Alcohol Use: A history of heavy drinking can either result in significantly higher premiums or outright denial. Demonstrating that you’ve quit drinking for at least a year may improve your chances of acceptance.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): As MS damages nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, it can be difficult to find coverage. However, some insurers will offer policies, especially in the early stages of the disease.
A Medical Condition Under Investigation: If you’re undergoing tests for a potential illness but don’t have a confirmed diagnosis yet, insurers may delay or deny your application until a final health assessment is made.
HIV/AIDS: Historically, getting life insurance with HIV or AIDS was nearly impossible. However, some companies are now beginning to offer policies to individuals living with the disease, especially if it’s well-managed.
Other Diseases (e.g., Colitis, Crohn’s, Emphysema): Insurers often reject applications for individuals with certain chronic diseases, but a specialist broker might help you find a policy tailored to your condition.
What can you do if your life insurance application has been denied?
There are several ways to avoid having your life insurance application denied, or to address it after a decline.
Consult a Broker with Multiple Insurer Connections: Instead of navigating the insurance market alone, it’s advisable to seek out a life insurance broker who partners with a wide variety of insurers. Brokers with experience in high-risk applications can significantly improve your chances of finding the right policy.
Seek Out Different Policy Options: Some types of life insurance don’t require extensive medical exams. Explore alternatives like Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance or Simplified Issue Life Insurance, which are more lenient toward certain health or lifestyle risks. For covering specific expenses like funeral costs, you might also consider funeral insurance.
Choose the Right Insurer: Different insurers have varying levels of risk tolerance, and a rejection from one company doesn’t mean another will do the same. It’s worth exploring insurers that are more open to covering the risks associated with your situation.
Take Steps to Improve Your Situation: You can directly address some of the issues that caused your application to be declined. For example, quitting smoking, managing alcohol use, adopting safer driving habits, or improving your physical fitness can help remove barriers to obtaining coverage.
Expert tip from Amir Eny
If you were declined for life insurance, the first step would be to request a detailed explanation from the underwriter as to why you were declined. If you believe the decision was unfair or based on inaccurate information, you can request a review in order to appeal the decision. The next step would be to use a broker who can inquire with other insurers to see if you would qualify for coverage based on their underwriting criteria. Finally, you might consider applying for a no medical simplified issue policy which has fewer health questions and is geared towards people who are more difficult to insure.
There are several ways to avoid having your life insurance application denied, or to address it after a decline.
Consult a Broker with Multiple Insurer Connections: Instead of navigating the insurance market alone, it’s advisable to seek out a life insurance broker who partners with a wide variety of insurers. Brokers with experience in high-risk applications can significantly improve your chances of finding the right policy.
Seek Out Different Policy Options: Some types of life insurance don’t require extensive medical exams. Explore alternatives like Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance or Simplified Issue Life Insurance, which are more lenient toward certain health or lifestyle risks. For covering specific expenses like funeral costs, you might also consider funeral insurance.
Choose the Right Insurer: Different insurers have varying levels of risk tolerance, and a rejection from one company doesn’t mean another will do the same. It’s worth exploring insurers that are more open to covering the risks associated with your situation.
Take Steps to Improve Your Situation: You can directly address some of the issues that caused your application to be declined. For example, quitting smoking, managing alcohol use, adopting safer driving habits, or improving your physical fitness can help remove barriers to obtaining coverage.
Expert tip from Amir Eny
If you were declined for life insurance, the first step would be to request a detailed explanation from the underwriter as to why you were declined. If you believe the decision was unfair or based on inaccurate information, you can request a review in order to appeal the decision. The next step would be to use a broker who can inquire with other insurers to see if you would qualify for coverage based on their underwriting criteria. Finally, you might consider applying for a no medical simplified issue policy which has fewer health questions and is geared towards people who are more difficult to insure.
To reduce the chances of being denied for life insurance, it is essential to partner with an independent broker who can access policies from multiple providers. Our life insurance experts offer a wider selection of solutions compared to most brokers, allowing us to explore various options and find ways to prevent your application from being rejected.
To begin, simply fill out a life insurance quote in the sidebar for a no-obligation consultation, and we’ll help you discover the best opportunities for savings.
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