2025 Guide to Medical High-Risk Life Insurance - PinnacleQuote
INSTANT Quotes Compare Quotes

2025 Guide to Medical High-Risk Life Insurance

last updated on January 23, 2025

Daniel Ray Written by Daniel Ray, Life Insurance Expert | ✅ Fact Checked by Lisamarie Monaco Lisamarie Monaco | Editorial Disclosure

Understanding life insurance for medical high risk people can be daunting. You may even feel like your naviagting a maze with no clear signs. This guide is here to light your path.

Whether you’re dealing with a chronic condition or have a job that keeps you on the edge, we’re here to explore high-risk life insurance options in a way that’s clear, straightforward. Let’s dive in!

Table of contents

Life Insurance For High-Risk People ​

It’s important to realize that here at PinnacleQuote we are impaired risk life insurance specialists. So for any pre-existing condition, we have a life insurance carrier that specializes in it. In addition, another name for a substandard risk classification is high-risk insurance.

Moreover, those considered higher risk will have a challenging time, indeed. Considering, those who aren’t necessarily in tip-top shape, or for those that live out what is to be a ‘high-risk lifestyle’ will expect substandard impaired risk life insurance rates.

In other words, they’ll likely need to settle for a high-risk life insurance plan. Nevertheless, for those in their 40’s and 50’s, getting a 20-year term life policy is the most common policy for high-risk term life insurance.

​There are plenty of factors that go into which life insurance plan you’ll be able to obtain. For example, this includes medical history, family history, occupation, whether or not you smoke, etc.

These are all factored into your ‘health rating’ that will determine price!

Furthermore, all carriers have different underwriting guidelines and it is important to be working with the right independent agent or high-risk life insurance brokers. 

What is Considered High Risk Insurance

In most cases, high risk is considered a consumer that is looking to purchase life insurance for pre-existing conditions or life insurance for the hard to insure consumer.

These types of policies are considered “Hard to Place Life Insurance” as you need to bring this type of profile to a specialty carrier that is lenient towards the health impairment. These are considered impaired risk life insurance carriers.

What Is Substandard Risk Life Insurance

When applying for a high-risk policy or medical high-risk life insurance you will need to get in touch with an experienced life specialist or life insurance broker like us at PinnacleQuote.

Above all. you need an independent agent that knows the in and out of all life insurance risk categories to find the preferred risk life insurance company.

For example, if you have seizures and you are looking for life insurance with epilepsy, get matched up with the carrier that specializes in seizures!

In addition, getting life insurance for a high-risk individual is the same as a high-risk driver. As stated earlier, if you are in excellent health then it is like having a perfect driving record.

Car insurance companies look at drivers like life insurance companies look at an individual’s health.

Furthermore, high-risk auto insurance is similar to high-risk life insurance as you will pay more for that risk. Also, some insurance companies, both auto and life, look at someone’s credit score as well.

Just a few things to keep in mind on how to understand the risk assessment for an individual.

How Do I Find High Risk Life Insurance Brokers

Here at PinnacleQuote, we have access to over 3 dozen life insurance carriers that specialize in any impaired risk life insurance. So it is just as important to be shopping at high-risk life insurance companies.

Above all, whatever the health impairment is we have the carrier that will give you the most affordable high-risk life insurance available.

Furthermore, what this means for the high-risk consumer is that you will not find a better rate with a better carrier. We insist that you try because it will just validate our price.

We Are Nationwide High Risk Life Insurance Agents

When dealing with a high-risk job, health issue, or hobbies, you want to be dealing with impaired risk life insurance brokers. These are not your local window storefront life insurance carriers like State Farm or Allstate.

Although these companies are good for auto and home, but awful for life. So these companies are outmatched to this demographic of a client as they will most time decline as a high-risk consumer.

A PinnacleQuote Independent agent will give you options from ONLY high-risk life insurance carriers. Above all, these carriers will give you the best chance for success for affordable life insurance coverage.

When finding a life insurance policy it is very important to be connected to high-risk life insurance providers.

Is Affordable High-Risk Life Insurance Possible

YES, IT IS!!

When looking for affordable coverage with a history of health issues you will be considered high risk in the eyes of the carrier. In fact, if you have multiple health impairments you may only get substandard impaired risk life insurance.

It s important to make sure to work with an independent agent that specializes in all health impairments. In general, life insurance for high-risk seniors needs to be as affordable as possible.

So it is key to find an impaired risk life insurance specialists like here at PinnacleQuote.

What Are The Best High Risk Life Insurance Companies

If you are shopping for life insurance it is important to know that there is not a “one size fits all” method. Above all, you can throw away a lot of your hard-earned money buying the wrong policy from the wrong carrier.

Overall, you need to look at life insurance companies for high-risk that specialize in the impairment that you have.

Here is a list of high-risk life insurance companies that we would shop you to:

  • Protective Life (Heart Impairments)
  • AIG/American General (Diabetes/Asthma/Bi-Polar)
  • ANICO (Sleep Apnea/Cigar and Smokeless Tobacco)

Now we have many more that will cover certain high-risk health impairments. Be sure to ask your PinnacleQuote Independent agent about them.

What Is Impaired Risk Life Insurance

Impaired risk life insurance is when the insurance carrier deems you a higher risk than your peers. This can be due to health issues, occupation, or hobbies. Overall, these will not affect the death benefit but it will impact the price.

In reference to health issues, they will look at your medical history and you will have to take a medical exam. Furthermore, if you have extreme health issues then guaranteed issue would be a policy you can get regardless of health.

The Trick To Risky Life Insurance Approvals

Some insurance providers are more lenient on specific health issues than others. What the above sentence means is that every insurance company determines your degree of risk and it is in the hands of the insurance underwriter.

For example, some carriers may treat your diabetes as well managed because of an evaluation that was in range.

Furthermore, other carriers might see your diabetes as unmanaged resulting in a substandard rating or table rated.

That’s why it’s very important to talk to an independent agent that is knowledgeable about impaired risk life insurance companies. 

Working with a PinnacleQuote agent is key. He will know which carrier will be the most affordable. In fact, a PinnacleQuote agent will supply you with the best product for your particular health situation.

We have experienced success with Numerous Risky life insurance, health impairments, and impaired risk life insurance underwriting cases that include:

Adventure Sports Life Insurance

Above all, if you are a risk-taker and you have hazardous hobbies the life insurance company could give you a flat extra on your insurance quote. This is sometimes called a special risk.

A flat extra is when the carrier will add on a fee per $1000 of coverage. This basically says that you are more of a risk than the rest of us.

A life insurance company may also offer you a flat extra for a period of years. In some cases, 3-5 years depending on the health condition. This is usually for cancer patients who just ended treatment and still have a risk window opened.

How do I Save Money on my High-Risk Life Insurance Quote

Above all, we know how to narrow it down to the top option, despite being considered high risk. We only work with A.M. Best superior rated companies for superior financial strength.

  • First, contacting several insurance companies, which allows us to find the best rates/coverage for you.
  • Second, being familiar with which companies may not consider you as high of a risk, according to your specific lifestyle.
  • Third, saving you the time, you would need to contact all these companies yourself!

Some of these will not fall into a standard rate that companies offer based on the condition. When applying for life insurance there are many factors these carriers consider.  

Especially impaired risk life insurance, a dangerous job, and certain medical conditions will put you into that high-risk category, resulting in premium payments being a bit more expensive.

You must remember though, you are paying for peace of mind. In the event of your death, you do not want your family struggling to pay your final expenses out of pocket. 

Health Conditions Classified as High Risk:

Below are medical high or also known as special risk life insurance examples:

Primarily, falling into any of these categories, consumers most likely will be high-risk life insurance individuals.

Even more, life insurance for seniors over 75 will have a hard time getting life insurance with these impairments. However, getting life insurance at any age, rates will be higher if you’re at high risk.

“Affordable High-Risk Life Insurance Is Our Specialty” ~ Danny Ray, Founder of PinnacleQuote

Which Health Impairments Are Considered Serious and Which are Considered Not So Serious

Not to sound like a broken record, but let’s focus on which health issues will affect rates the most.

Good news, In most cases, these will have no or little effect on your life insurance premiums.

Cases of Minor Medical Issues:

Examples of Serious Medical Problems:

These may be approved for normal rates,(Standard/Standard Plus).

Example of Risky Medical Problems:

Obtaining life insurance in these cases would be considered substandard rates to a decline. 

What is a risk and how is risk determined in life insurance

Many of these may be relatively obvious. Any job where your life is potentially at risk.

For instance, this includes jobs that require having a gun, wear heavy protective gear, work from dangerous heights.

Also, travel to what are considered high-risk areas (the US State Department has a dangerous travel list), etc.

Then you’ve got your non-medical high-risk cases, at which we additionally focus. Why is this essential?

All these really are the elevated risk Life Insurance individuals who might work at a hazardous job or possess dangerous hobbies, such as motorized racing or skydiving.

Plus so they too have to need to pay high premiums compared to the common person.

Life insurance for High Risk Occupations

When you work in a dangerous occupation or dangerous profession it is very important to talk to an independent agent that is knowledgeable with high-risk life insurance quotes for dangerous jobs.

These are high-risk jobs that put the primary breadwinner in danger day in and day out. Having the right policy with a guaranteed death benefit makes the risks of the job worthwhile knowing your family is protected.

Here are some examples of cases dealing with dangerous occupations/avocations:

  • Private Pilots/Private Aircrafts
  • Scuba Diving over 100 feet
  • Loggers/Lumberjacks
  • Commercial Fisherman such as lobster boats for example
  • Police Officers
  • Fire fighters

Clearly said, we have seen the very best solution for a term and whole life insurance for those who have medical impairments or accepting drugs or any other risk factors.

Above all, you MUST talk to an independent agent for high-risk life insurance quotes for hazardous jobs. They will find you the best high-risk life insurance policies available.

Term Life Insurance For High Risk Consumers

In our experience, the way you approach lookig for a quote or policy may play a vital part in obtaining the perfect policy depending on the types of risk.

For example, there are particular cases when we recommend a Term Life Policy instead of a Permanent Life Policy as it may help widen the options amongst firms competing for the organization and keep costs low for those considered risky.

With PinnacleQuote, we work with over 50 life insurance companies. Many are well known because of their handling of “risky” cases of individuals with preexisting conditions, call us to find out which carriers will look at you most lenient.

Who Are The Best Impaired Life Insurance Providers

Whether it is a term policy or a high-risk whole life insurance policy.  It will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration by calling upon your independent agent.

The following are the top carriers we recommend. But remember, every carrier will look at every person differently, based on health and lifestyle and of course history.  

The best high-risk insurance companies are:

  • AIG
  • Banner Life
  • Prudential
  • Protective

Understanding the Life Insurance Application Process

When it comes to securing life insurance for high-risk individuals, navigating the process can seem complex, but it doesn’t have to be. Our expertise in working with high-risk clients allows us to present your case in the best possible light, enhancing your chances of finding suitable coverage.

Gathering Your Information

The first step involves a thorough understanding of your unique situation. Whether it’s a medical condition, a high-risk occupation, or a hobby that brings additional risks, we gather detailed information about the factors that classify you as high-risk. This includes a comprehensive list of any medications you’re taking, as these details are crucial for the next phase.

Working with Underwriters

Our experienced underwriters review your information meticulously. They play a key role in assessing your risk and determining the most favorable terms for your insurance. By understanding your specific circumstances, they can effectively negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.

Finding the Best Rates

Our goal is to find an insurance provider that offers you the best rates for your situation. We leverage our industry knowledge and relationships with multiple insurers to compare different options, ensuring you receive a policy that meets your needs at a competitive price.

Expedited Processing: The “Quick Quote”

In certain cases, we utilize what is known as a “Quick Quote.” This is essentially a preliminary approval from a life insurance company. By including this with your application, we can expedite the process, ensuring a smoother and more efficient journey towards securing your policy.

Is It Possible To Get Life Insurance For High Risk Seniors

When looking for a life insurance policy for seniors the biggest risk that determines the rate is health. In fact, applying for life insurance at these ages will be determined by the medical conditions past and present.

Above all, talking to an impaired risk specialist will give you the best chance for success in acquiring an affordable life insurance policy for seniors.

High-Risk Life Insurance For Seniors

When you get older the body starts to break down naturally. In fact, substandard impaired risk life insurance becomes more and more common over the age of 65.

In addition, this becomes more frequent for life insurance over 75. At this age, you’re within a few years of mortality age. This is the age life insurance for high-risk seniors becomes very pricey.

Common health problems in the elderly:

Related Articles

FAQs

Q: Is life insurance available for high-risk occupations?
A: Yes, though it might come with higher premiums. It’s about finding an insurer who understands the risks involved in your job.

Q: Can I obtain life insurance with a chronic illness?
A: Definitely. Many insurers specialize in policies for those with chronic health conditions.

Q: How can I find affordable high-risk life insurance?
A: Comparing different policies and insurers is key. There’s a policy for nearly every budget and situation.

Conclusion

It’s perfect for those who are healthy and have no dependents. If you need to find out more about the different types of life insurance, we can help!

We will show you how to get a quote on your personal situation at any time with our very own online application process. Start saving precious money by clicking here!

More Life Insurance Resources

PinnacleQuote’s Simple Process

We are not in the business of selling. This is something we are actually against. We like to educate our clients and provide them with the best options. We based those options on the specific profile of the client. So we tailor make you a life insurance policy

About Danny Ray
I am a life insurance expert that specializes in final expense, critical illness, Medicare Supplements, and term/UL policies. With almost 3 decades of dedication to thousands of clients, I share my knowledge with you so that you can feel comfortable fulfilling your needs and goals. I am licensed in all 50 states and represent almost three dozen A/A+ rated carriers. You can feel confident that you will not find a better option or a better agent than me.
1 Comment
Helen Firmanto

Dear Danny
Before I go any further, may I ask whether I am qualified to apply for a High Risk Health Pre-Existing condition Insurance for my husband? We are located in Indonesia. Your response is greatly appreciated.

April 18, 2025 at 5:38 am
Reply
Leave A Reply
No interested in Term?
Get a Burial Insurance Quote, We got you covered!