Yes. The answer for almost every condition is yes — with the right carrier. The insurance industry has 800+ carriers, and they don't all underwrite the same way. A condition that gets you declined by one carrier gets you standard rates at another. The problem isn't your health — it's that most people only talk to one carrier.
When you apply for life insurance, the carrier evaluates your health to determine your "risk class." That class determines your rate. The classes, from cheapest to most expensive: preferred plus, preferred, standard plus, standard, and substandard (also called "table-rated"). Some carriers add a flat fee on top for specific conditions.
Here's what matters: each carrier has its own underwriting guidelines. Carrier A might rate diabetes as standard. Carrier B might decline it. Carrier C might rate it preferred if your A1C is under 7.0 and you've been stable for two years. If you only apply to one carrier, you're rolling the dice.
Type 2 diabetes. One of the most common conditions we see. Many carriers will approve you at standard or better if your A1C is controlled (under 7.5-8.0), you're on oral medication (not insulin-dependent), and you don't have complications like neuropathy or retinopathy. Several carriers specialize in diabetic applicants.
High blood pressure. Very common, very manageable in underwriting. If it's controlled with medication and you don't have other cardiovascular issues, most carriers will rate you standard or better.
Depression and anxiety. More carriers approve these than most people expect. If you're on a stable medication regimen with no recent hospitalizations, many carriers offer standard rates. The key is stability — a consistent treatment history works in your favor.
Heart disease. More nuanced. A history of heart attack, bypass, or stent placement typically means waiting 1-2 years post-event before applying. After that, several carriers will consider you depending on your recovery, current cardiac function, and overall health profile.
Cancer. Depends heavily on type, stage, and how long you've been in remission. Many carriers will consider applicants 2-5 years post-treatment. Some early-stage cancers (like basal cell skin cancer) have minimal impact on rates.
COPD. Carriers look at severity, medication, and pulmonary function tests. Mild COPD on an inhaler? Several options. Severe COPD on oxygen? Guaranteed issue may be the path.
If your condition is severe enough that traditional underwriting won't work, guaranteed issue policies exist. No health questions, no medical exam, no possibility of denial. You apply, you're approved. Coverage amounts are typically smaller ($5,000-$25,000) and premiums are higher, but for someone who can't qualify any other way, it's coverage that didn't exist before.
Most guaranteed issue policies have a two-year waiting period on the full death benefit — if you die in the first two years, the policy returns premiums paid plus interest rather than paying the full face amount. After two years, the full benefit applies.
For a healthy 35-year-old, carrier differences are mostly about price — a few dollars per month. For someone with a health condition, carrier differences can mean the difference between approval and denial, or between standard rates and a 50% surcharge. This is where a comparison platform that works across 30+ carriers makes a material difference in your outcome.
The most common mistake is not applying because you assume you'll be declined. In our experience, the majority of people with health conditions qualify for coverage — they just need to be matched with the right carrier. The worst outcome of checking is finding out your options. The worst outcome of not checking is leaving your family unprotected.
A licensed agent walks you through your options. 15 minutes.
Schedule a call