High-risk life insurance guide: How to secure cover

What is high-risk life insurance?

High-risk life insurance refers to policies designed for people who may be more likely to make a claim based on their health, occupation or lifestyle.

All life insurance providers use a process called underwriting to assess the level of risk an applicant presents. If an insurer believes there’s an increased likelihood of illness or premature death, they may categorise the applicant as higher risk.

This doesn’t always mean you can’t get life insurance. Instead, you may be offered cover with:

• Higher monthly premiums.

• Policy exclusions.

• A lower maximum cover amount.

• Additional medical checks.

High-risk life insurance exists to ensure that people with more complex circumstances can still access financial protection for their loved ones.

Who is considered high-risk by life insurance providers?

There are several reasons why someone might be considered high-risk when applying for life insurance. These usually fall into three main categories: medical history, occupation and lifestyle.

Medical conditions

Many applicants are classed as higher risk due to pre-existing or historical medical conditions. These may include:

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Cancer history

• Asthma

• Mental health conditions

• High cholesterol

• Obesity

Even well-managed conditions can impact how insurers assess your application, although demonstrating effective treatment or lifestyle improvements may help improve your terms.

Hazardous occupations

Unknown to some, certain professions actually carry a higher level of risk than others, which insurers take into account when pricing policies. High-risk occupations may include:

• Construction workers.

• Offshore or oil rig workers.

• Pilots.

• Firefighters.

• Armed forces personnel.

• Emergency services.

• Commercial drivers.

• Miners or heavy machinery operators.

Working in these environments may increase your premiums or result in occupation-specific exclusions.

Lifestyle factors

Insurers may also consider lifestyle habits when assessing risk. Common examples include:

• Smoking or vaping.

• Excessive alcohol consumption.

• Participation in extreme sports.

• High BMI.

• Frequent international travel to higher-risk regions.

Providing accurate information about your lifestyle is essential, as failing to disclose relevant details could invalidate your policy later.

Why high-risk life insurance costs more

Life insurance premiums are calculated based on the likelihood that a policyholder will make a claim during the policy term.

If an insurer determines that an applicant has an increased likelihood of dying during the policy term (whether due to health, occupation or lifestyle) they may charge higher (or ‘loaded’) premiums to reflect this.

Other factors that can influence the cost of high-risk life insurance include:

• Age.

• Smoking status.

• Family medical history.

• The amount of cover required.

• Policy term length.

In some cases, insurers may apply exclusions to certain conditions instead of increasing premiums significantly. For example, someone with a history of heart problems may be offered a policy that excludes heart-related claims.

What types of high-risk life insurance are available?

There are several types of life insurance policies available to applicants who may be considered higher risk.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance, level or decreasing, provides cover for a fixed period of time, like 10, 20 or 30 years. It’s often one of the most affordable options and may still be available to high-risk applicants, although premiums may be higher compared to someone who is lower-risk.

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance offers lifelong cover and guarantees a payout whenever you pass away, provided premiums are maintained. This type of policy can provide peace of mind but may be more expensive for higher risk applicants. Please note, LV= no longer offer whole of life policies.

Guaranteed issue life insurance

Guaranteed issue policies typically don’t require medical underwriting, meaning acceptance is not based on your health. However, premiums are usually higher and cover amounts are typically more limited, to reflect the fact that the insurer does not know about your personal medical history or lifestyle.

Over-50s plans

Over-50s life insurance plans are often available without medical questions for UK residents aged 50 - 85, making them a potential option for applicants who may struggle to secure traditional cover. Please note, LV= no longer offer over 50 life insurance policies.

How insurers assess high-risk applications

When you apply for high-risk life insurance, insurers will carry out an underwriting assessment to determine the level of risk you present.

This process may include:

• A detailed medical questionnaire.

• GP or specialist reports.

• Lifestyle disclosures.

• Occupational risk assessments.

• Information about your family medical history.

In some cases, insurers may request additional medical tests or examinations before making a decision.

Providing honest and accurate information during this stage is essential, as non-disclosure could affect future claims, and could mean your insurer cancels your policy.

How to improve your chances of getting high-risk life insurance

These include:

• Applying through specialist providers who understand complex applications.

• Stopping smoking or reducing alcohol intake.

• Managing medical conditions effectively.

• Improving your BMI or fitness levels.

• Choosing a lower cover amount.

• Comparing quotes from multiple insurers.

Seeking professional advice can also help you identify policies that are more suited to your circumstances.

Can you be refused high-risk life insurance?

In some situations, applicants may be declined for traditional life insurance policies. This is more likely if:

• A condition is newly diagnosed or unstable.

• There is a history of serious illness.

• A job involves particularly high levels of risk.

• There are multiple risk factors involved.

However, refusal isn’t always permanent. Some insurers may postpone an application and invite you to reapply after a certain period of time, particularly if your health improves.

Alternatives if you can’t get traditional life insurance

If you’re unable to secure standard life insurance, there may still be alternative options available.

These include:

• Guaranteed acceptance life insurance.

• Accidental death benefit policies.

• Employer-provided group life cover.

While these policies may offer lower levels of cover or in some cases cost more, they can still provide valuable financial support for your family.

Get expert help with high-risk life insurance

Learn more about your protection options with LV=. Explore our life insurance page for an overview of how different policies work and what to consider before applying.

High-risk life insurance – FAQs

Here are the most commonly asked questions about high-risk life insurance.

Can I get life insurance if I’m considered high-risk?

Yes, many insurers offer high-risk life insurance policies designed for people with medical conditions, dangerous occupations or lifestyle factors that fall outside standard underwriting criteria.

What medical conditions are classed as high-risk for life insurance?

Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, obesity and mental health disorders are commonly considered higher risk by insurers.

Will high-risk life insurance always cost more?

In most cases, premiums are higher due to increased underwriting risk, but costs also vary depending on your age, health, job and lifestyle, as well as the type of cover you are looking for, and how long your policy lasts.

Is guaranteed life insurance a good option for high-risk applicants?

Guaranteed policies can provide cover without medical underwriting, although premiums are likely to be higher and cover limits lower than others types of policy. This is to reflect the fact that the insurer won’t have any information about your medical history or lifestyle.