Life Insurance with Pre-existing Conditions: What You Need to Know

Getting life insurance can feel complicated, especially if you’re living with a health condition. But having a pre-existing condition doesn’t mean you’re out of options – it just means you may need to do a little more research so you can find a policy that works for you.

Whether you were recently diagnosed or have been managing a condition for years, many people are still able to qualify for coverage. If you're looking for life insurance for a pre-existing illness or condition, the key is knowing what your options are.

At Ethos, we understand how common many pre-existing conditions are, and we don’t want that to be a barrier to getting protection for you and your family. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 50 to 129 million (19 to 50 percent of) non-elderly Americans have some type of pre-existing health condition.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how life insurance works when you have a pre-existing condition, what to expect during the application process, and how to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.

A pre-existing condition is any health issue you were diagnosed with or treated for before applying for life insurance. It can range from chronic illnesses like diabetes or high blood pressure to more serious conditions like heart disease or cancer.

These conditions don’t automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance, but they can impact how much you pay for coverage as well as the coverage options available to you.

Some common examples of pre-existing conditions include:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Depression or anxiety

If you're managing one of these conditions, or another kind of pre-existing condition, you may still be eligible for coverage. The key is finding a policy that takes your specific health situation into account.

Yes, in many cases, you can still get life insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. The key is understanding how different types of policies work and which ones are more accessible based on your particular health history.

 Some insurers offer simplified or guaranteed issue policies that don’t require a medical exam. Others may use a short health questionnaire to assess your overall risk. In both cases, your ability to get coverage will depend on the nature and severity of your condition, along with how well you are able to manage your condition.

 In general:

• Mild or well-controlled conditions like high blood pressure or asthma may have little to no impact on eligibility or cost. For example: someone whose high blood pressure is well-managed with medication—and stays consistently in a healthy range—may still qualify for standard rates.
• Moderate conditions like type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol could result in slightly higher premiums. For example: someone with type 2 diabetes who manages their blood sugar through diet, medication, and regular checkups may still be eligible for term coverage, but at a slightly increased rate compared to someone without the condition.
• Serious or unstable conditions such as recent cancer diagnoses or advanced heart disease may limit your options exclusively to guaranteed issue or final expense policies. For example: someone with stage IV cancer may not qualify for traditional life insurance but could be eligible for a guaranteed issue policy. These policies are often designed to help with final expenses.

So while having a pre-existing condition might narrow your choices, it doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Many people are still able to find affordable coverage that offers peace of mind.

If you’re applying for life insurance with a pre-existing condition, the type of policy you choose can make a big difference. Some policies are designed specifically to make coverage more accessible, especially for people with health concerns.

Here are the most common options:

Term Life Insurance

This is usually the most affordable and straightforward type of life insurance. Term life provides coverage for a specific period of time – like 10, 20, or 30 years – and pays a benefit to your loved ones if you pass away during that period.

At Ethos, we offer term life insurance options using digital underwriting with no medical exams (just a few health questions) required for most applicants. You can explore our term life policies and get a personalized quote in minutes. You may still qualify for a term life policy with a pre-existing condition, especially if your condition is mild or well-managed. Rates may be slightly higher, but term policies typically offer the most coverage for the lowest cost.

Simplified Issue Life Insurance

Simplified issue policies don’t require a medical exam, but you’ll answer a few health questions when applying. These policies may be a good fit if you’ve been declined in the past or think a medical exam could make approval more difficult.

Because the application is shorter and more straightforward than traditional life insurance, it’s often easier and faster to apply, sometimes with approval in just minutes. These policies usually have lower coverage limits than traditional term policies, but offer a convenient way to get protection.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Guaranteed issue policies don’t require a medical exam or health questions. Approval is guaranteed as long as you meet the basic eligibility criteria, like age.

These policies are designed for people with more serious health conditions who might not qualify for other types of coverage. They typically offer smaller coverage amounts and they may have a waiting period before full benefits are available.

The right life insurance option for you will depend on your specific condition, how well it’s managed, and your overall health profile. Some types of coverage may be more accessible or cost-effective than others.

Here’s a general guide to what might be available:

• Mild conditions like controlled high blood pressure or asthma: You may qualify for a traditional term life insurance policy with competitive rates.
• Moderate conditions like type 2 diabetes or high cholesterol: You might still qualify for term coverage, but with slightly higher premiums. Simplified issue policies can also be a good option.
• Serious conditions such as advanced heart disease or a recent cancer diagnosis: You may not qualify for traditional policies, but a guaranteed issue policy could still provide important coverage for end-of-life expenses.

The most important thing is to explore your options. Many people are surprised to find they can still qualify for affordable coverage.

Applying for life insurance when you have a pre-existing condition might feel intimidating, but the process is often more straightforward than people expect, especially with a modern, digital-first process like we have at Ethos.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Gather your health information. Be prepared to share basic details about your condition, including when you were diagnosed, how it’s being treated, and whether it’s stable. Having this info on hand can help speed up the application.
2. Get a quote online. Many providers, including Ethos, let you check your estimated rates in just a few minutes, with no medical exam required for most applicants.
3. Choose the policy that fits your needs. Based on your health profile, you may see options for term, simplified issue, or guaranteed issue policies. Look at the coverage amount, monthly premium, and any limitations before making a decision.
4. Complete the application. This may involve a short health questionnaire. With Ethos, it’s all online, and most people finish in less than 10 minutes.
5. Get your decision. If you’re approved, you can activate your coverage right away. If not, you may be offered alternative options that better match your current health status.

Applying for life insurance with a pre-existing condition doesn’t have to be complicated. At Ethos, we’ve simplified the process so you can find coverage that fits your needs – without medical exams (just a few health questions) or long wait times for most applicants.

Get started today to see your options, compare policies, and apply online in minutes.