What Disqualifies You from Getting Term Life Insurance?

One of the biggest fears when applying for term life insurance is being denied coverage. The good news: complete disqualification is rare. Most applicants qualify for some form of coverage, though rates and terms may vary based on your health and lifestyle. Let's explore what factors insurance companies consider and what might impact your ability to get covered.

The Truth About Life Insurance Denials

First, some reassuring statistics: approximately 95% of life insurance applicants receive some form of coverage. Even if you have health issues, you can typically still get insured, though you may pay higher premiums or face certain policy restrictions.

Complete denials are uncommon and usually involve serious, uncontrolled health conditions or extremely high-risk situations.

Health Conditions That Can Affect Coverage

Conditions That May Lead to Denial

Recent cancer diagnosis or treatment: Active cancer or treatment within the past 2-5 years often results in denial, though cancer survivors in remission for several years can typically qualify.

Advanced heart disease: Severe, uncontrolled heart conditions, recent heart attacks, or heart failure may disqualify you from traditional coverage.

Severe, uncontrolled diabetes: Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes with serious complications (kidney damage, vision loss, nerve damage) can lead to denial.

Late-stage kidney or liver disease: Advanced organ failure or being on an organ transplant waiting list typically disqualifies applicants.

Progressive neurological disorders: Conditions like ALS, advanced Parkinson's, or advanced multiple sclerosis may result in denial.

Uncontrolled mental health conditions: Recent suicide attempts or severe, untreated psychiatric conditions can disqualify you.

Conditions That Increase Premiums But Don't Disqualify

Many health issues will result in higher premiums rather than outright denial:

• Well-controlled diabetes
• High blood pressure (controlled with medication)
• High cholesterol (managed)
• Asthma (mild to moderate)
• Depression or anxiety (stable and treated)
• Previous cancer (in remission for 2+ years)
• Sleep apnea (being treated)

Example: A 32-year-old with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes might pay 50-75% more than someone without diabetes, but can still get coverage.

Lifestyle Factors That Impact Coverage

Tobacco and Drug Use

Smoking or vaping: You'll pay 2-3x more than non-smokers, but you won't be denied. The good news: quit for 12-24 months and you can reapply for non-smoker rates.

Marijuana use: Increasingly, insurers treat occasional marijuana users (1-2x monthly) similar to non-users. Daily use may result in higher premiums but not denial.

Illegal drug use: Current use of illegal drugs or recent drug-related charges will likely result in denial. Most insurers require 2-5 years of sobriety before considering coverage.

Alcohol abuse: DUIs, alcohol-related health issues, or treatment for alcohol abuse within the past 2-5 years can lead to denial or very high premiums.

High-Risk Occupations

You can still get coverage, but expect higher rates if you work in:

• Commercial fishing
• Logging
• Roofing
• Commercial aviation (pilots)
• Underwater welding
• Law enforcement
• Firefighting
• Military (active combat zones)

These occupations don't disqualify you, but insurers may charge 25-50% more or exclude coverage for work-related deaths.

Dangerous Hobbies and Activities

High-risk hobbies typically don't disqualify you but may result in:

• Higher premiums (10-50% increase)
• Exclusion riders (policy won't pay if death relates to the activity)
• Flat extra charges ($2.50-$10 per $1,000 of coverage)

Activities that trigger additional scrutiny:

• Skydiving (especially if more than 10 jumps per year)
• Rock climbing or mountaineering
• Scuba diving (especially deep or cave diving)
• Racing (cars, motorcycles, boats)
• Piloting private aircraft

Important: Recreational participation in these activities 1-2 times per year typically has minimal impact.

Criminal History

Recent felony convictions: Convictions within the past 5-7 years can lead to denial, especially for violent crimes.

Multiple DUIs: Two or more DUIs within 5-10 years often result in denial.

Pending criminal charges: Most insurers will postpone your application until charges are resolved.

Minor offenses: Traffic violations, minor misdemeanors, or old convictions (10+ years) typically don't impact coverage.

Financial Red Flags

Surprisingly, your financial situation can affect coverage:

Requesting excessive coverage: Applying for coverage that's 50x your annual income or more may trigger denial due to concerns about moral hazard.

Recent bankruptcy: Usually requires 2-3 years of stable financial history before approval.

Inconsistent income: Especially if requesting high coverage amounts that don't align with your income.

Foreign Travel and Residence

Living in high-risk countries: Residing in areas with high crime, war, or political instability can lead to denial or coverage exclusions.

Frequent travel to dangerous regions: Regular business travel to high-risk areas may increase premiums or result in travel exclusions.

Medical History Red Flags

What Insurers Look For

Multiple insurance applications: Applying to many companies simultaneously can be a red flag. Insurers may suspect you're hiding information or have been denied elsewhere.

Gaps in medical care: Not seeing a doctor for years and then applying for life insurance can trigger additional scrutiny.

Undisclosed conditions: Failing to mention health issues that later appear in medical records can lead to denial or policy rescission.

Inconsistent information: Contradictions between your application and medical records will delay or deny coverage.

Weight and BMI Considerations

Severe obesity: BMI over 50 or significant weight-related health complications may result in denial from some insurers.

Extreme underweight: Can also trigger denial if related to eating disorders or serious medical conditions.

However, being overweight (BMI 27-35) typically just increases premiums rather than disqualifying you.

Age Limits

Most term life insurance carriers have age limits:

• Minimum age: 18 (some allow 16-17 with parental consent)
• Maximum age: 60-75 for new policies

If you're over the maximum age, you may need to explore guaranteed issue or final expense insurance instead.

What to Do If You're Concerned About Qualifying

Be Honest on Your Application

Never lie or omit information. Insurers will discover the truth through:

• Medical records requests
• Prescription drug databases
• Motor vehicle records
• Medical Information Bureau (MIB) reports

Misrepresentation can result in claim denial, leaving your family with nothing.

Work with an Independent Agent

Independent agents have access to multiple carriers, each with different underwriting guidelines. If one company denies you, another might approve you.

Consider Alternative Products

If you're denied traditional term life insurance:

Guaranteed issue life insurance: No medical questions, no exam, but limited coverage ($25,000-$50,000) and higher premiums.

Simplified issue: Limited health questions, no exam, coverage up to $250,000-$500,000.

Group life insurance: Through your employer, typically no medical questions for basic coverage.

Graded benefit policies: Full death benefit after 2-3 years, limited benefit if death occurs earlier.

Improve Your Insurability

If denied or rated too high:

• Quit smoking and wait 12-24 months
• Lose weight if obese
• Get health conditions under control
• Complete addiction treatment and maintain sobriety
• Wait for time to pass since serious health events

Then reapply when your situation improves.

Common Myths About Disqualification

Myth: "If my parent died young, I'll be denied."

Truth: Family history impacts your rate class but rarely leads to denial.

Myth: "I need to be perfectly healthy to qualify."

Truth: Most people with common health issues qualify, just at higher rates.

Myth: "One DUI will disqualify me."

Truth: A single DUI 3+ years ago typically won't disqualify you, though you'll pay more.

Your Options at Evoro Life

At Evoro Life, we work with multiple top-rated carriers, each with different underwriting guidelines. This means if you have health issues or lifestyle factors that concern you, we can shop your application to find the best fit.

Our instant-issue platform can approve many applicants in 18 minutes with no medical exam required, making the process faster and easier than traditional policies.

Don't Let Fear Stop You

The fear of being denied keeps many people from even applying for life insurance. This is a mistake. Even if you have health issues, you can likely get some form of coverage, and the peace of mind is worth it.

Ready to get covered? Get your quote in 18 minutes and discover your options. Our licensed agents will help you navigate any health or lifestyle concerns and find coverage that works for you.