Can You Get Term Life Insurance with Pre-Existing Conditions?
Many people assume a pre-existing condition makes term life insurance impossible, but that’s rarely the full picture. Life insurers evaluate health conditions, weighing severity, stability, and long-term management rather than relying on diagnosis alone. Knowing how this evaluation works can clarify your options and help you approach the application process with confidence.
What Does “Pre-Existing Condition” Mean in Life Insurance?
In life insurance, a pre-existing condition refers to any illness, disease, or medical condition that was diagnosed, treated, or showed symptoms before you applied for a policy. Insurers typically assess how the condition affects long-term mortality risk.
Underwriting decisions are made after considering factors such as severity and stability of the disease, treatment history, and the presence of complications.
Having a pre-existing condition may affect eligibility or premium pricing, but it does not automatically disqualify an applicant from term life insurance.
What Conditions Are Considered As “Pre-Existing Diseases”?
Life insurers typically classify any documented medical condition present before the application date as a pre-existing condition. These commonly include:
- Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, and thyroid disorders.
- Cardiovascular conditions including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, and prior heart attacks.
- Cancer history, whether in active treatment, remission, or long-term recovery.
- Mental and behavioral health conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
- Metabolic and endocrine conditions like obesity, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
- Respiratory and sleep-related conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and sleep apnea.
- Neurological conditions such as migraines, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or past strokes.
- Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
- Liver and kidney conditions such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, or chronic kidney disease.
Do you need a medical exam if you have a pre existing condition?
Applicants with known medical conditions are more likely to be asked to complete a medical exam or provide access to medical records, as insurers need to assess overall risk. That said, some insurers offer no medical exam life insurance through accelerated underwriting. These policies may skip the physical exam, but they often still require health questionnaires or medical history reviews to evaluate how a pre existing condition could impact eligibility and pricing.
How Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Term Life Eligibility
Pre-existing conditions influence term life insurance eligibility based on risk assessment, not diagnosis alone. Insurers evaluate medical evidence to determine how a condition affects life expectancy.
Here’s how it may impact your term life policy eligibility:
Condition Severity
Insurers assess how advanced or impactful a condition is on overall health and mortality risk.
- Mild conditions (e.g., well-managed asthma or mild hypertension) typically qualify for standard or near-standard rates.
- Moderate conditions (e.g., Type 2 diabetes with consistent treatment) may lead to higher premiums or table ratings.
- Severe conditions (e.g., advanced heart disease or organ failure) may result in postponement or denial, depending on prognosis.
Stability and Control
Beyond diagnosis, insurers closely examine how consistently a condition is managed over time, as stable control is associated with lower long-term risk.
- Controlled biomarkers such as stable A1C levels or blood pressure readings support better eligibility outcomes
- Medication adherence demonstrates ongoing medical supervision whereas regular follow-ups and compliance signal long-term condition stability to underwriters
Recency of Diagnosis or Treatment
The timing of a diagnosis or major treatment plays a critical role in life insurance approval.
- Recent diagnoses may prompt insurers to wait for a longer health history before offering coverage
- Recent hospitalizations, surgeries, or treatment changes increase perceived risk due to limited outcome data
- Longer periods of stability following treatment generally improve eligibility and pricing prospects
How Life Insurance Companies Evaluate Pre-Existing Conditions
When you apply for term life insurance with a pre-existing condition, insurers follow a clear, step-by-step process to understand your health risk. Here’s a step-by-step guide for you to understand:
Health Questions About Your Condition
The underwriting process begins with detailed health questions designed to establish medical history and current status.
- Diagnosis date to understand how long the condition has been present
- Type and course of treatment, including specialist care or lifestyle modifications
- Current and past medications, dosages, and duration of use
Medical Exams and Records
Insurers may supplement application disclosures with objective medical data to validate risk levels.
- Laboratory results such as blood work, urine analysis, or condition-specific markers
- Vital signs including blood pressure, height, weight, and heart rate
- Prescription history and physician records to confirm treatment consistency and control
Risk Class Assignment Based on Condition
Based on the combined medical evidence, underwriters assign a risk class that determines pricing and eligibility.
- Preferred or Preferred Plus for applicants with minimal risk and strong health indicators
- Standard for average, well-managed risk profiles
- Rated (substandard) for elevated risk requiring higher premiums
- Decline or postponement when current risk exceeds insurable thresholds
Does Having a Pre-Existing Condition Increase Term Life Insurance Cost?
Yes, a pre-existing condition can increase the cost of term life insurance, but higher premiums are not automatic. Insurers adjust pricing based on how a condition affects long-term mortality risk, using factors such as severity, stability, treatment consistency, and the presence of complications.
Mild or well-controlled conditions may qualify for near-standard rates, while conditions that are recent, unstable, or progressive often lead to higher premiums.
How to Improve Approval If You Have a Pre-Existing Condition
Getting approved for term life insurance with a pre-existing condition is often possible if you apply strategically.
Insurers look for signs of stability, responsible health management, and reduced risk. Here’s how you can improve your approval:
- Apply when your condition is stable, avoiding periods of recent diagnosis, hospitalization, or medication changes
- Maintain clear medical records that show consistent treatment, follow-ups, and controlled health markers
- Be accurate and complete in your application to prevent delays, reclassification, or claim issues later
- Compare multiple insurers, as underwriting guidelines and risk tolerance vary widely
- Consider pre-screening through an independent broker to match your condition with more favorable carriers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you get term life insurance with a pre-existing condition?
Yes, many applicants with pre-existing conditions can still qualify for term life insurance. Life insurers focus on how the condition affects long-term health risk rather than the diagnosis alone. Factors such as condition severity, medical stability, treatment history, and overall health profile play a significant role in determining eligibility and pricing.
Will a pre-existing condition always increase my term life insurance premium?
Not always. Mild or well-controlled pre-existing conditions may result in little or no increase in term life insurance premiums. However, moderate or unstable conditions, recent diagnoses, or conditions with complications often lead to higher rates.
How do life insurance companies check for pre-existing conditions?
Life insurance companies verify pre-existing conditions through application health questions, medical exams, lab tests, prescription history, and physician records. This information helps underwriters assess condition stability, treatment compliance, and overall mortality risk before approving coverage.
Can you be denied term life insurance because of a pre-existing condition?
Yes, term life insurance can be denied if a pre-existing condition is severe, recently diagnosed, poorly controlled, or associated with major complications. Insurers may also postpone coverage instead of declining outright, allowing applicants to reapply after demonstrating improved health stability over time.
