I hear “I probably can’t even qualify” more often than almost any other assumption, usually from people who are wrong about it. Outright declines are much rarer than most people think, and the list of things that actually stop an application cold is a lot shorter than the list of things people worry about.
What actually results in a decline
True declines are typically reserved for a small set of serious situations: a terminal diagnosis with a short life expectancy, certain active and untreated serious conditions, very recent major cardiac events, or, for some carriers, extremely high-risk occupations or activities combined with other risk factors. Even within these categories, a decline at one carrier doesn’t mean a decline everywhere. Different insurers genuinely have different risk appetites.
What usually just changes your rate instead
The vast majority of health conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, anxiety or depression under treatment, past cancer in remission, obesity, past substance use in recovery, result in a rated or “table rated” policy, meaning you’re still approved, just at a higher premium reflecting the added risk. That’s a completely different outcome from a decline, and it’s the outcome for the overwhelming majority of applicants with a health history.
The mistake that causes more declines than any health condition
Material misrepresentation on the application causes more real problems than almost any medical condition does. Leaving off a diagnosis, understating tobacco use, or rounding your weight down significantly doesn’t improve your odds, it just sets up a denied claim later if it’s ever discovered, which is a far worse outcome than an honest application that comes back with a higher rate.
Why working with a broker changes the odds
Every carrier has its own underwriting guidelines, and they genuinely diverge on specific conditions. A history that gets declined at one company might get standard rates at another that specializes in exactly that risk profile. Applying blind to a single carrier, especially a direct-to-consumer one with narrow guidelines, is how people end up believing they’re uninsurable when they’re not.
Frequently asked questions
Can I be declined just for being overweight?
Rarely on its own. Obesity typically results in a higher rate rather than a decline, unless it’s combined with other significant health factors.
Does a past DUI or criminal record automatically disqualify me?
Not automatically. It depends on how long ago it occurred and the specifics, and it more commonly affects your rate class than results in an outright decline.
Can mental health treatment get me declined?
Being under treatment for anxiety or depression is very commonly approved at standard or near-standard rates. Declines here are uncommon and usually tied to more severe, unmanaged conditions.
If one company declines me, does that mean I’m uninsurable?
No. Carriers have genuinely different underwriting guidelines, and a decline at one company often results in standard or near-standard approval at another.
Should I just not disclose something I’m worried about?
No. Nondisclosure risks your policy being rescinded or a claim being denied later. An honest application almost always gets a better real-world outcome than a concealed one.
If you’re assuming you can’t qualify, let’s actually find out instead of guessing. Call or email me.
Tom Hinerman is an independent life insurance broker based in Nathrop, Colorado, licensed in all 50 states. Call 719-539-4790 or email tom@fishcreeklife.com.
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