What You Need to Know Before Applying

Why Your Health Matters More Than You Think

When it comes to life insurance, one of the biggest factors determining your premium is your health. It’s not just about age or lifestyle—your medical history plays a massive role in how much you’ll pay for coverage and whether you qualify at all. Why? Because life insurance companies are in the business of risk. The healthier you are, the less likely it is they’ll need to pay a death benefit anytime soon. The higher your health risk, the more they’ll charge to protect their investment—or in some cases, they may even deny coverage.
This isn’t meant to penalize you. It’s about mathematics and risk management. If you’re living with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions, an insurer is going to factor that into your monthly or annual premium. That said, it doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. In fact, many people with pre-existing conditions successfully secure affordable life insurance. The key is understanding what underwriters look for, how different conditions are evaluated, and what you can do to improve your odds—and your rates.
Whether you’re healthy and trying to lock in a good rate, or managing a condition and trying to understand how it will impact your options, this guide is for you. We’re going deep into how your health affects your life insurance premiums—and what you can do about it.

Understanding the Underwriting Process

Underwriting is the process life insurance companies use to evaluate risk. When you apply for a policy, the insurer collects information about your age, health, lifestyle, and family history. They then use this data to assign you a risk category—think of it as your “health rating”—which determines how much you’ll pay in premiums.
In most cases, you’ll be asked to fill out a detailed health questionnaire. Depending on the policy and insurer, you may also be required to take a medical exam, including blood and urine tests. Some companies may review your medical records or prescription drug history. If you’re applying for a no-exam policy (like a simplified issue or guaranteed issue policy), the process may be faster but premiums are generally higher because the insurer has less information to work with.
The most common risk categories are:

• Preferred Plus – Excellent health, no tobacco use, ideal height and weight, no chronic conditions.
• Preferred – Very good health, minor or well-controlled conditions.
• Standard – Average health, manageable chronic issues, some family history of illness.
• Substandard (or Rated) – High-risk applicants, possibly with serious conditions or past health events.

Even if you fall into a higher-risk category, that doesn’t mean you’ll be denied. It just means you may pay more—and you’ll want to shop around for the best policy tailored to your health status.

Chronic Conditions and Their Effect on Premiums

If you have a chronic health condition, you’ll almost certainly pay more for life insurance—but the amount depends on how well your condition is controlled. For instance, someone with high blood pressure who takes medication and maintains good readings is often viewed more favorably than someone who has high readings and no treatment plan.
Here are some common chronic conditions and how they typically affect premiums:

• Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes, if well-managed with medication, exercise, and regular doctor visits, may still qualify you for standard rates. Poorly controlled diabetes or Type 1 diabetes may lead to higher premiums or a rated policy.
• High Blood Pressure: Controlled hypertension with no additional heart issues may still place you in a standard or preferred category. Untreated or extreme cases can increase costs.
• High Cholesterol: Similar to blood pressure, if your cholesterol is in check—especially your HDL to LDL ratio—you might still qualify for competitive rates.
• Asthma: Well-controlled asthma without recent hospitalizations won’t typically be a red flag, but frequent ER visits or severe attacks may raise concern.
• Depression/Anxiety: If you’re receiving treatment, attending therapy, and have no recent hospitalizations or suicidal ideation, you may qualify for standard rates. More severe or unmanaged mental health conditions may lead to higher premiums.

In all of these cases, documentation matters. Underwriters like to see stability, treatment compliance, and a history of medical follow-up. Be honest about your conditions and include relevant records to support your application.

Serious Medical History: Cancer, Heart Disease, and Stroke

Having a serious health event in your medical history—like cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke—doesn’t automatically disqualify you from life insurance. However, it will heavily influence both your eligibility and premium level, especially depending on how recent the event was and how well you’ve recovered.

• Cancer Survivors: Most insurers have a “waiting period” after cancer treatment ends before they’ll consider issuing a policy. The length depends on the cancer type, stage, and time in remission. For example, someone in remission for five years after early-stage breast cancer may qualify for standard or substandard rates. More aggressive cancers or recent treatments often result in a postponed application or higher premium.
• Heart Conditions: If you’ve had a heart attack or surgery (like bypass or stent placement), expect a more complex underwriting process. Insurers will evaluate your recovery, current medications, follow-up care, and lifestyle changes. Some survivors may still get coverage after a few years of stability.
• Stroke History: After a stroke, insurers look at the extent of damage, recovery, ongoing symptoms, and any changes in risk (such as continued smoking or unmanaged blood pressure). A full recovery and healthy post-stroke lifestyle can still lead to approval, though at a higher cost.

If you’ve survived a major health scare, applying through an experienced broker who works with high-risk insurers can help you find a carrier more familiar with complex cases.

Lifestyle-Related Health Risks

Even if you don’t have a formal diagnosis, your lifestyle habits can dramatically affect your premium. Insurance companies see behaviors like smoking, excessive drinking, and obesity as risk indicators. You may not feel “unhealthy,” but these habits statistically shorten lifespan—so insurers take them seriously.

• Smoking: Smokers pay 2–4 times more than non-smokers. Some companies offer lower rates to people who have quit for at least 12 months and passed a nicotine test. If you’re in the process of quitting, wait a year before applying to access lower rates.
• Alcohol Use: Moderate drinking is typically acceptable, but if your medical records indicate excessive use or liver issues, it could lead to a denial or increased premiums.
• Obesity: High BMI increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions. Some insurers are more lenient, especially if you can show consistent weight loss and stable labs.
• Lack of Exercise/Poor Diet: You won’t be disqualified for skipping the gym, but lifestyle-related issues like poor cholesterol or blood pressure can result in less favorable rates.

The takeaway? Small changes to your lifestyle can have a big financial impact over time—not just for your health, but for your monthly premium.

Mental Health and Life Insurance Premiums

Mental health has become more openly recognized in the world of insurance. In the past, having a diagnosis like depression or anxiety could dramatically affect your rates—but now, context matters more than the label.
If your mental health condition is well-controlled with therapy or medication, and you haven’t had recent hospitalizations, suicide attempts, or major functional impairments, insurers often view it as low risk. However, if you’ve had multiple psychiatric admissions, untreated symptoms, or a recent crisis, that will raise red flags.
Be honest during the application process. Insurers have access to prescription databases and medical records, so hiding a diagnosis only makes the process harder. If you’re managing your mental health and can show consistent care, you’ll be seen more favorably. As mental health becomes more mainstream, many insurers now have underwriting guidelines that reflect a more compassionate, evidence-based approach.

No-Exam Policies: A Quick Option for Those with Health Concerns

If you’re concerned that your health may disqualify you from traditional life insurance, you may want to explore no-exam options. These include:

• Simplified Issue Life Insurance: Requires a health questionnaire but no medical exam. Coverage is usually limited ($50K–$500K), and premiums are higher due to increased insurer risk.
• Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance: No medical questions or exams. Almost anyone can qualify. However, it comes with very limited death benefits (often under $25K) and a 2-3 year waiting period before full benefits are paid.

These policies are ideal for people who can’t get approved through traditional underwriting or who want immediate coverage. They’re also popular for final expense planning, especially among seniors or those with multiple health conditions.

What You Can Do to Lower Your Premiums

If your health is less than perfect, there are still proactive steps you can take to improve your eligibility and potentially lower your premiums:

• Quit smoking – After 12 months nicotine-free, many insurers will offer non-smoker rates.
• Lose weight – Even modest weight loss can move you into a better risk category.
• Control chronic conditions – Work with your doctor to stabilize blood pressure, cholesterol, or glucose levels.
• Improve your lifestyle – Better diet, exercise, and sleep hygiene show insurers you’re committed to long-term health.
• Wait until health improves – If you’re actively recovering from surgery or a recent diagnosis, consider waiting a year to apply.
• Shop around – Not all insurers treat conditions the same. One company may offer better rates than another for your health profile.

Also, don’t forget: you can reapply later. If your health improves significantly, you may be eligible for lower premiums or better coverage after reevaluation.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Health Stop You From Getting Covered

Health conditions can make life insurance more expensive—but they don’t make it impossible. Whether you’re managing diabetes, recovering from a heart event, or simply living with a few extra pounds, there are still solid options available to protect your family.
The key is knowing your situation, shopping wisely, and being honest in the application process. Consider working with a broker who understands high-risk cases and can match you with the right carrier. And remember, some coverage is always better than none. You can always revisit your policy as your health and finances improve.
Because at the end of the day, life insurance isn’t just about cost—it’s about peace of mind. And no matter your health, that’s something worth investing in.