Best life insurance for pre-existing conditions

If you’ve got a pre-existing condition, you may feel backed into an expensive corner when it comes to life insurance. But there are trusted companies that offer guaranteed policies. However, avoiding a health screening usually keeps you from getting the best rate.

Best life insurers for pre-existing conditions

Best overall fairness: Ethos

Go to Ethos's site

Ethos claims to treat clients as people, not risks, and its entire image is built around the idea of transparency. You’ll fill out a quick online application and an algorithm will use your age and gender to calculate your life expectancy. Some standout features include:

• No medical exam

  Skip the doctor appointments and paperwork with a quick and easy application process. You’re still asked about your health, but coverage is likely cheaper than the often-pricey guaranteed insurance.

• Salaried employees

  The agents at Ethos are paid the same whether you purchase a policy or not. This helps alleviate the stress and pressure of the process.

• Term life insurance available

  While many insurance plans for pre-existing conditions are whole — in other words, set for life — Ethos offers term plans that are typically favored by people younger than 50.

Best guaranteed acceptance: AIG

AIG offers tax-free benefits to help cover end of life costs with its Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance. There’s a $25,000 payout cap and it’s only available for people between the ages of 50 and 85, which is relatively standard for this type of insurance. Among its perks:

• No health questions

  AIG will cover you — no questions asked and no medical exam required — as long as you’re between 50 and 85 years old.

• You can't be turned down

  No “knockout” questions can take you out of the running, which is one of the reasons benefits are capped at $25,000.

• Industry reputation for insuring the uninsurable

  AIG is known for working with clients who have anxiety, autoimmune disorders, brain lesions — even those who have been in trouble with the law.

Best flexible policy: Colonial Penn

Colonial Penn prides itself on excellent customer service and a 30-day money back guarantee if things don’t feel quite right. More strong points to expect:

• It's known for being easy to work with

  One of Colonial Penn’s core values is its customer. Customers generally appreciate its agents being readily available and straightforward.

• Save money by paying annually

  If you pay once a year instead of monthly, you’ll get one month free.

• The younger you start, the lower your locked-in rate is

  Colonial Penn offers no-medical-exam insurance for policyholders starting at age 40 — which is 10 years younger than most similar providers.

Best quick and easy: AAA Life Insurance Company

Perhaps most popular for its motor club and roadside assistance, AAA offers guaranteed issue life insurance with an online application that takes only seconds, and a $60 per year savings for members’ spouses. Other highlights include:

• Get coverage right away

  Coverage begins as soon as your payment is processed.

• Guarantee issue

  If you’re between the ages of 45 and 85, your acceptance is guaranteed.

• Motor club perks

  AAA offers a free lifetime membership for your spouse after your first two policy years and double benefits if you die in a travel accident.

How to compare life insurance providers

Finding a policy that works for your situation requires identifying your personal must-haves in advance so you can advocate for yourself while shopping around. Ask yourself:

• Is the policy age restricted? Many people with pre-existing conditions are older than 50. Some life insurance companies offer guaranteed whole term plans targeted specifically toward that age group.
• How long will the policy last? Most guaranteed insurance is whole, which means the policy will last until the end of your life. Term life insurance, on the other hand, lasts for a set amount of time. If you’re younger than 65, there’s a good chance you could be insured with a term policy.
• Is there a medical exam? If you’ve got a pre-existing condition, medical exams can seem lengthy and intimidating. But keep in mind that no-medical-exam insurance tends to be more expensive than insurance with a medical exam.
• Will they ask medical questions? Some plans require that you answer health questions, even if there’s no medical exam required. This is often the case with simplified insurance and insurance for people younger than 50. Typical questions can involve smoking tendencies, weight and general inquiries about your level of health.
• What are the minimum and maximum coverage rates? Generally, the older you get, the more expensive coverage with high benefits costs. Companies evaluate how much you’re likely to pay in premiums before they have to pay out, so tread carefully if you’re hoping to find guaranteed insurance for over $25,000 — it’s rare.

More providers that cover pre-existing conditions

Sort by:

Name	Product	Issue Ages	Coverage Range	Medical Exam Required
Policygenius		18 - 85 years old	$10,000 to $10,000,000+	Depends on provider and policy	Compare quotes from 16 life insurance companies side by side.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
JRC Life Insurance		20 - 80 years old	$25,000 to $10,000,000	No	Quickly get a quote for coverage with this marketplace, which compares term & whole life insurance policies from 45+ carriers.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Quotacy		18 - 80 years old	$50,000 to $25,000,000	Depends on provider and policy	Get a quote within minutes from more than a dozen insurers.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Leap Life		18 - 75 years old	$100,000 to $5,000,000	Depends on provider and policy	Apply for a simple instant-decision policy free of charge. Compare quotes from multiple A-rated carriers.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Simplified Life		18 - 80 years old	$25,000 to $10,000,000	Depends on provider and policy	Compare quotes from over 40 highly rated carriers and get coverage shortly after approval.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

If you have health issues, a policy with guaranteed acceptance or limited health screening may be your best option. But keep in mind that these policies tend to be more expensive than regular life insurance, with caveats depending on your situation.

Before getting coverage, understand exactly how pre-existing life insurance works.

Frequently asked questions.

• What is underwriting?

  Underwriting is how the life insurance company assesses your eligibility for its products. In other words, it’s evaluating the risks associated with offering coverage.

• What qualifies as a pre-existing condition?

  Pre-existing conditions are defined as detrimental health situations that have existed before you start applying for insurance. Some of the most common pre-existing conditions include:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Cancer
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Coma
  • Coronary artery angioplasty
  • Coronary heart disease
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Diplegia (Cerebral palsy)
  • Encephalitis

  • Epilepsy
  • HIV accidental infection
  • Heart attack
  • Heart conditions
  • Hepatitis
  • Hereditary health issues
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Loss of hearing
  • Major organ transplant
  • Mental illness
  • Motor neuron disease (MND)
  • Major organ transplant

  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Obesity
  • Occupationally acquired HIV
  • Out of hospital cardiac arrest
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Skin cancer
  • Sleep apnea
  • Stroke
  • Terminal illness

• What are graded benefits?

  With some types of guaranteed life insurance, if you die within a certain period of time after taking out a policy — usually two years — your beneficiaries won’t get the full benefits. Instead, the life insurance company refunds the paid premiums. If you’re terminally ill and hoping for a quick way to get coverage, this could prevent you from getting the full benefit you think you’re signing up for.

Amy Stoltenberg

Amy Stoltenberg writes about lifestyle and money for finder.com, researching the best options for shopping, banking, insurance and authentic travel experiences. After studying writing and fashion at Savannah College of Art and Design, she worked designing apparel at a corporate behemoth before opting for a career with unlimited travel time. When her laptop’s closed, she can be found wandering the streets looking for happy hour and hole-in-the-wall eateries.