Money Expert > Life Insurance > What to do if you’ve been declined life insurance
Don't fret - you could still find cover from other providers. Compare quotes now to get started.
Last updated: 21/05/2025 | Estimated Reading Time: 6 minutes
Don’t be disheartened if your first life insurance application was unsuccessful. Different insurers have their own application criteria and assessments of risks, so it doesn’t mean you’ll be refused again. However, you should make note of the information we give here to help you when reapplying after being declined.
If your life insurance application was declined, your first step should be to understand the specific reasons for the rejection of your life insurance cover. Typically, it’ll be based on a combination of health and lifestyle factors, or personal circumstances. You can ask your doctor for a copy of your medical records or ask the insurer to send over whatever medical information they have for you. Once you’ve received this, if you’re still uncertain as to why you have been refused life insurance then speak to an insurance advisor who can assist.
If you’re a very high-risk person, an insurer may determine that it’s not in their financial interests to insure you. This often happens with extreme sports enthusiasts or those with multiple health issues on their first life insurance application due to common reasons , especially when applying to mainstream insurers. Or they could, but by setting very high premiums which, in all likelihood, are prohibitively expensive.
Insurers review 5-10 years of medical history and medical records. Even managed conditions like high blood pressure can affect premiums. Some insurers may decline you on medical grounds alone, while different insurers might offer coverage with exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Let’s take a look at some of the most common medical conditions that cause an application to be rejected:
It’s not necessarily the case that your application will be instantly rejected if you have one of these medical conditions, but on the whole, you may find it harder to get insurance. However, if you develop one of these conditions after you’ve successfully taken out a policy don’t worry – your cover should still be valid.
Daily habits like vaping or risky hobbies (e.g., scuba diving) are often overlooked but significantly impact approvals. And now, let’s look at the lifestyle factors that most frequently lead to a rejection:
It’s important to note that, as with medical conditions, if there is a combination of lifestyle factors that pose a risk present, then your application is more likely to be rejected.
Many applicants don't realise insurers assess risk differently. While one provider might reject you for high cholesterol or a history of speeding tickets or a poor driving record , another may approve you with slightly higher premiums. This variation exists because each insurance provider uses unique algorithms weighing factors like age range, health status, health problems and even dangerous activities differently. For example, some specialist insurers are more lenient toward controlled conditions like high blood pressure if you've maintained a healthy lifestyle for 12+ months. The key is understanding that being declined life insurance by one insurer doesn't mean all life insurance companies will refuse you – it's often about finding the right insurer for your personal circumstances.
You can still get a life insurance policy if you’ve been rejected, but how competitive a deal you can get will depend on why your application was unsuccessful. So first, find out on what exact basis you’ve been declined life insurance: if it was due to lifestyle factors, then you could well get cheap life insurance in the future if you make certain adjustments. If factors like smoking contributed, you might want to quit smoking to significantly improve your chances of approval in the future. Or, if your first life insurance application was rejected for extreme sports participation, consider pausing these activities for 6-12 months before reapplying to different insurers.
On the other hand, if you can’t get life insurance due to medical reasons, don’t fret. Remember that being deemed too high risk by one company doesn't mean all different insurers will refuse you. Specialist providers often reassess medical grounds more fairly. There are specialist insurers out there who will cover certain medical conditions, so you could still find a deal – your options may just be more limited. However, the cost may well be worth it for peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones are looked after should the worst happen.
Many applicants focus solely on approval without reviewing their life insurance policy terms thoroughly. Key details like contestability periods (typically 2 years where claims can be denied for misrepresentation) and medical exam requirements for policy increases are often overlooked. Some insurance providers include automatic premium increases after age 65, while others offer guaranteed level rates. Always verify if your cover includes terminal illness benefits (paid early for diagnoses under 12 months life expectancy) and whether funeral costs are paid separately from the death benefit. These nuances dramatically impact your financial protection and your family's ability to access funds when needed most.
If you've been rejected life insurance or you're struggling to find cover, if you're aged 50 or over then you should consider a specialist over 50s policy. Those eligible are typically UK residents aged 50 to 85.
These are a type of 'whole of life' insurance policy that promise guaranteed acceptance, and you're not even requied to answer any medical questions when applying for it.
While over 50s life insurance policies are a safe option if you're struggling to find cover elsewhere, you should note that these types of policies typically demand higher premiums, while the total payouts are generally lower and set aside for things like funeral costs.
When you’ve been declined life insurance, don’t put another application in right away: it’s likely you’ll be rejected again on the same basis. We can’t stress this enough: the most important thing is that you need to find out why you’ve been rejected and go from there. Build a solid picture so you can productively hone in on your search for future applications. Knowing this, you can then tailor your life insurance comparison accordingly rather than relying on guesswork.
Again, remember it’ll usually be a combination of factors that leads to a rejection – in few instances is it one standalone factor that’s a big red flag.
If you’ve been refused life insurance and have discerned where your application failed, you can always seek guidance from an advisor if you don’t want to navigate the complex world of life insurance alone. They can also pinpoint which providers are most likely to accept you, saving time when comparing life insurance deals tailored to your situation.
