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Best life insurance for people who play sports

Athletes can find a winning policy with these 5 life insurance companies.

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Andrew Flueckiger
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People who enjoy playing sports are typically healthier and in better shape than people who don’t. However, life insurance companies consider athletes a higher risk than people who simply exercise. Fortunately, you can get coverage with some companies that are more lenient when it comes to sports — but expect to pay a slightly higher premium than you would if you stayed on the sidelines.

When analyzing life insurance providers, we assess the insurer’s reputation in the industry, as well as its product lineup, rider selection and underwriting standards. To determine industry reputation, our editorial team researches each company’s financial strength, accreditations and ratings, and reads customer reviews.

What are the best life insurance companies for people who play sports?

The following five life insurance companies stand above the rest when it comes to underwriting leniency for sports and competitive rates.
  • Best for extreme sports and other high-risk activities: Mutual of Omaha
  • Best for people okay with exclusions: Principal
  • Best for people wanting to give back: Foresters
  • Best if you have a health condition: Bestow
  • Best overall life insurance company for sports: Prudential
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Best for extreme sports and other high-risk activities: Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha logo
Finder Rating: 3.5 / 5

★★★★★

This brand isn’t available on Finder right now.
Get quotes from similar companies Read review
$2,000 – $500,000+
Coverage range
18 – 68 years
Issue age
10, 15, 20, 30 years
Term lengths
Mutual of Omaha doesn’t officially specialize in life insurance for extreme sports and high-risk activities, but you’d be forgiven for thinking that. Its competitive rates and lax underwriting guidelines allows most thrill seekers to buy a policy, regardless of sport or hobby. It also offers permanent life insurance, including a guaranteed issue whole life policy that functions as final expense coverage.
  • Competitive rates for people involved in sports and high-risk activities.
  • The company is financially strong, meaning you can rest assured that claims will be paid.
  • Universal life policies offer permanent protection with flexible premiums and cash value growth.
    Coverage range $2,000 – $500,000+
    Term lengths 10, 15, 20, 30 years
    Issue age 18 – 68 years

    Best for people okay with exclusions: Principal

    Principal logo
    Finder Rating: 4.5 / 5

    ★★★★★

    This brand isn’t available on Finder right now.
    Get quotes from similar companies Read review
    $200,000 – $5,000,000
    Coverage range
    20 – 70 years
    Issue age
    10, 15, 20, 30 years
    Term lengths
    Principal takes a different approach to people involved in sports and high-risk hobbies by excluding those activities. You’ll have coverage the rest of the time, but your benefit won’t be paid out if you passed away while playing the sport or due to an injury from it. The benefit of this is Principal won’t charge you higher rates for being involved in those activities.
    • Rates aren’t higher for sports since those activities are excluded.
    • Fast approval process of 15 days or less.
    • Convenient online portal allows you to view your policy and pay your premium.
      Coverage range $200,000 – $5,000,000
      Term lengths 10, 15, 20, 30 years
      Issue age 20 – 70 years

      Best for people wanting to give back: Foresters Financial

      Foresters Financial logo
      Finder Rating: 4 / 5

      ★★★★★

      This brand isn’t available on Finder right now.
      Get quotes from similar companies Read review
      $10,000 – $500,000+
      Coverage range
      18 – 85 years
      Issue age
      10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years
      Term lengths
      Foresters Financial will contribute an amount of its own money equal to 1% of your death benefit to the charity of your choice if you pass away while the policy is in force.

      Foresters offers standard term life insurance options and has lenient underwriting guidelines that mean it’s easier to get a policy if you play sports. It also offers various member benefits, such as discounts on financial and legal services, emergency grants and terminal illness loans.

      • Donation equal to 1% of your death benefit to the charity of your choice.
      • Underwriting allows sports and other high-risk activities.
      • Local agents provide personalized service.
        Coverage range $10,000 – $500,000+
        Term lengths 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years
        Issue age 18 – 85 years

        Best if you have a medical condition: Bestow

        Bestow logo
        Finder Rating: 4 / 5

        ★★★★★

        Get a quote
        securely at Bestow Life Insurance
        Read review
        $50,000 – $1,500,000
        Coverage range
        18 – 60 years
        Issue age
        10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years
        Term lengths
        Have a pre-existing condition from being active like tennis elbow or knee pain? You can get a quote and sign up online without getting a medical exam, plus enjoy some of the best rates and high maximums on term life insurance for no-exam policies. However, you won’t be able to get a policy if you’re over 60 or live in New York state.
        • $1.5 million max, no medical exam required
        • Easy online quotes and signup
        • Cheap, basic coverage with few add-ons to pay extra for
        • No cancellation or annual fees
        Coverage range $50,000 – $1,500,000
        Term lengths 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years
        Issue age 18 – 60 years

        Best overall life insurance company for sports: Prudential

        Prudential logo
        Finder Rating: 3 / 5

        ★★★★★

        This brand isn’t available on Finder right now.
        Get quotes from similar companies Read review
        $100,000 – $10,000,000
        Coverage range
        18 – 75 years
        Issue age
        10, 15, 20, 30 years
        Term lengths
        Prudential is a financially strong insurer with classifications that serve many types of people — including athletes. Prudential offers a variety of plans, but its specialty is term life insurance. Outside of its more lenient underwriting standards, Prudential also has a number of riders to customize your policy with.
        • Offers a term policy that covers you until age 65, no matter what age you are now.
        • Term policies can be bought as a return of premium or annual renewable policy.
        • Flexible and lenient health classifications allow for different health conditions and athletic activities.
          Coverage range $100,000 – $10,000,000
          Term lengths 10, 15, 20, 30 years
          Issue age 18 – 75 years

          What are the financial ratings for the best sports life insurance?

          The financial strength of a life insurance company helps determine its ability to quickly pay out claims. Financially strong mutual companies can also pay out dividends to permanent life insurance policyholders, though these are never guaranteed.
          AgencyPrudentialMutual of OmahaPrincipalForestersLegal & General
          A.M. BestA+A+A+AA+
          Moody’sAa3A1A1N/AN/A
          Standard & Poor’sAA-AA-A+N/AAA-
          FitchAA-N/AAA-N/AAA-
          J.D. Power3 out of 54 out of 53 out of 5N/AN/A

          Customer reviews

          We looked to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to help us determine customer service levels and find customer reviews for each life insurance provider. Ratings and reviews reflect each company as a whole, not solely its life insurance component.

          ProviderBBB ratingCustomer reviews
          PrudentialD-1 out of 5 stars
          Mutual of OmahaA+2 out of 5 stars
          ForestersA+3 out of 5 stars
          PrincipalA+1 out of 5 stars
          Legal & GeneralA+N/A

          Bottom line

          Playing sports can make finding affordable life insurance more difficult than it should be with many providers, but it’s not impossible. Try getting a quote from life insurance companies that have more lenient underwriting guidelines and consider asking to exclude coverage relating to injuries caused while playing your sport, if you’re comfortable with that.

          Before deciding on a life insurance provider, be sure to check out our list of the overall best life insurance providers.

          Compare more life insurance companies

          Name Product Issue age Minimum Coverage Maximum Coverage Term Lengths Medical Exam Required
          Sproutt
          Sproutt
          18 - 60 years old
          $50,000
          $4,000,000
          5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years
          No
          Compare 40+ insurers and apply online to get the lowest possible price — no medical exam required.
          Go to site
          More Info
          Policygenius
          Policygenius
          18 - 85 years old
          $50,000
          $10,000,000
          10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years
          Depends on provider and policy
          Compare 12+ top insurers side-by-side to get the best possible deal, and shop return of premium policies online.
          Go to site
          More Info
          Bestow
          Bestow
          18 - 60 years old
          $50,000
          $1,500,000
          10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years
          No
          Get a quote in less than 10 minutes with on-the-spot approval and no medical exam.
          Go to site
          More Info
          Everyday Life
          Everyday Life
          20 - 75 years old
          $100,000
          $10,000,000
          10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years.
          No
          Ladder multiple life insurance policies to save on the coverage you need for all your debts.
          Go to site
          More Info
          Ladder
          Ladder
          20 - 60 years old
          $100,000
          $8,000,000
          10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years
          Depends on policy
          Apply for term life insurance online without the medical exam. Get an instant decision and adjust your coverage at no charge.
          Go to site
          More Info
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