Home Life insurance Life insurance basics How to get life insurance if you’re uninsurable How to get life insurance if you’re uninsurable Discover practical options and strategies to secure life insurance or financial protection even if traditional policies aren’t available due to health or risk factors. Written by Penny Gusner Penny Gusner Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. | Reviewed by John McCormick John McCormick John is the editorial director for CarInsurance.com, Insurance.com and Insure.com. Before joining QuinStreet, John was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal and had been an editor and reporter at a number of other media outlets where he covered insurance, personal finance, and technology. | Updated on: November 5, 2024 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. Getting life insurance is a crucial step toward protecting your family’s financial future, but insurers consider some applicants uninsurable. “Factors such as pre-existing medical conditions, age, occupation and lifestyle choices can contribute to a person being considered ‘uninsurable’ according to standard underwriting guidelines,” says Tarek El Ali, Founder of Smart Insurance Agents. “This designation can result in challenges when seeking conventional life insurance policies at affordable rates.” However, being considered uninsurable from life insurance companies doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Whether you’re facing repeated denials or sky-high premiums, there are specialized insurance policies, strategies, and workarounds that might help you secure coverage. Key Takeaways Policies like final expense and group life insurance are often available to those with health challenges, providing coverage without extensive medical exams. If traditional life insurance isn’t available, alternatives like payable-on-death accounts and self-funded savings can help cover end-of-life expenses and provide financial support. Combining insurance with savings, employer-provided benefits, and estate planning can help create a comprehensive safety net for your loved ones when other insurance options are limited. Max out your group life insurance at work Group life insurance is coverage offered through employers and associations. Group policies are designed to provide coverage without the need for extensive health screenings. In most cases, as long as you’re part of the group, you’re eligible for a basic level of coverage, often called guaranteed issue coverage, without needing to disclose medical history or undergo physical exams. Keep in mind that you only have group coverage as long as you are a part of the group that offers it. If you have group life insurance through your job and then leave that job, you will lose your coverage. Some group life insurance policies offer the option to convert your coverage into an individual permanent policy without requiring underwriting. Buy a joint life insurance policy that insures both spouses Joint life insurance is a single life insurance policy that covers two people, usually spouses or business partners, under one plan. It provides a death benefit that’s paid out after the first death — first-to-die policy — or, in some cases, after the second death — second-to-die or survivorship policy.Joint life insurance can be a valuable option for someone who is considered uninsurable because it combines coverage for two people under one policy, often allowing both individuals to qualify even if one has health issues. With joint life insurance, especially a survivorship policy, the insurance company evaluates the combined risk of both insured parties, often making it easier to secure coverage than if the uninsurable person applied individually. This setup means that even if one spouse has significant health risks, they may still be eligible for coverage as long as the other insured person meets the underwriting requirements. Buy final expense insurance Final expense insurance is a solid option for people considered uninsurable and not eligible for traditional coverage. There are two types: simplified and guaranteed issue. Simplified issue requires a brief health questionnaire but no medical exam, while guaranteed issue has no health questions or medical exams and guarantees acceptance regardless of health status. Because acceptance for guaranteed policies is, well, guaranteed, they are an excellent option for individuals who have been repeatedly declined for coverage or those with severe health conditions that would typically disqualify them. Keep in mind that premiums for final expense insurance is high and coverage is low. QuickTake Who's who on a life insurance policy The life insurance contestability period: What you need to know What happens to the cash value of my whole life insurance policy when I die? Is accidental death and dismemberment insurance right for you? How to find a lost life insurance policy Comprehensive guide to life insurance: What it is and how it works How to make sure you have enough life insurance What is cash value life insurance and how does it work? 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See more > Alternatives to life insurance if you’re uninsurable If you need coverage beyond the life insurance options available, there are still several alternative ways to provide financial support for your loved ones and cover end-of-life expenses. Self-funding with savings. Building up a dedicated savings account specifically for end-of-life expenses can be a practical alternative to life insurance. By setting aside funds regularly, you can gradually accumulate a safety net that will help cover funeral costs, debts, and other expenses. Consider opening a high-yield savings account to maximize growth over time, ensuring that your contributions work toward building a substantial fund for your family’s needs. Setting up a payable-on-death (POD) account. A payable-on-death account is a bank account that allows you to designate a beneficiary who will receive the funds upon your passing. This can be a simple, effective way to make sure funds are readily available for loved ones without the need for probate. Setting up a POD account for end-of-life expenses offers a straightforward method for transferring money directly to your family, helping them manage immediate financial needs. Health savings accounts (HSAs). If you have a high-deductible health plan, you may be eligible for a health savings account, which allows you to save funds for medical expenses. While HSAs are primarily for healthcare, some of these funds can be used for end-of-life medical expenses or funeral costs. HSAs provide tax advantages and grow tax-free, making them a useful alternative for covering final expenses. Personal investments and estate planning. By investing in stocks, bonds, or real estate, you can grow assets over time and designate these assets for your beneficiaries. Working with an estate planner or attorney can ensure that your investments are structured to pass to your loved ones efficiently, possibly bypassing probate and reducing tax burdens. Annuities. Certain annuities, particularly those with death benefit riders, can offer a steady income and may pay out to beneficiaries after your death. This option can provide financial support for loved ones, although annuities are typically more complex and may require a longer-term commitment. Finding life insurance when you’re considered uninsurable may seem challenging, but with the right options and strategies, you can still secure financial protection for your loved ones. By exploring alternative policies, specialized coverage, and creative planning methods, you can ensure that your family has the support they need—even if traditional life insurance isn’t available. × Get Free Life Insurance Quotes Today! Zip Code Please enter valid zip Age Age 16 – 20 21 – 24 25 – 34 35 – 44 45 – 54 55 – 64 65+ Coverage Amount Coverage Amount $50,000 – $100,000 $100,000 – $200,000 $200,000 – $300,000 $400,000 – $500,000 $500,000 – $1,000,000 $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 $2,000,000 – $5,000,000 $5,000,000+ Coverage Type Coverage Type Whole Life Term Life Final Expense Not Sure Gender Gender Male Female Non-Binary Tobacco Use Yes No Compare Quotes Penny GusnerContributor . .Penny is an expert on insurance procedures, rates, policies and claims. She has extensive knowledge of all major insurance lines -- auto, homeowners, life and health insurance. She has been answering consumers’ questions as an analyst for more than 15 years and has been featured in numerous major media outlets, including the Washington Post and Kiplinger’s. 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