Buying Life Insurance for Cancer Patients

Underwritten by United of Omaha Life Insurance Company

09.15.2026 | 10 min read

Buying life insurance with preexisting conditions

For anyone trying to obtain life insurance, the insurance company at some point will need to assess your health to determine the risk of insuring you. Having a preexisting condition such as cancer can make qualifying more difficult.

A licensed insurance agent or producer can provide details on how to buy life insurance after being diagnosed with cancer, but in short, you’ll need to provide additional information to the insurer. You should also be prepared to get quotes from several companies to determine your options, and possibly consider other options.

Can you get life insurance if you have cancer?

Approximately 2 million cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2025.¹ With such statistics, it can be natural to wonder how life insurance with cancer works, or if it's even possible to buy a life insurance policy if you've been diagnosed with cancer.

The good news is that, yes, it is possible to get life insurance even after a cancer diagnosis. There are some considerations, however, you'll want to keep in mind. For example, people with a cancer diagnosis may be considered high-risk, and as such, their premium payments may be higher.

Insurance companies may also consider the following when offering life coverage to cancer patients:

The type and stage of cancer; some types are regarded as low risk.
Your medical history and treatment; the insurer will assess how you’re responding to treatment and your medical history.
Your age and other medical conditions
The timing of diagnosis; recently diagnosed cancer cases or those on active treatment have fewer options than those in remission, especially long-term.

When it comes to eligibility, timing can be different depending on the insurer and where you live. But generally, early-stage or low-risk cancers have a shorter waiting period compared to high-risk or late-stage cancers.

Eligibility during and after treatment

Cancer patients can get life insurance, but there may be conditions under which one may be approved for cancer, including:

Whether you are in remission. Acquiring life insurance is generally easy for someone who has completed their treatment or has been declared in full remission. Some insurers also consider the length of time someone has been cancer-free.
Low risk history of cancer. If the cancer was diagnosed in an early stage, removed through surgery, required noninvasive treatment and is not recurring, you may be approved sooner.

If you are still in treatment for cancer or have been recently diagnosed, you may still qualify for certain policies, such as those that don’t require a medical exam.

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How does cancer affect life insurance eligibility and costs?

Cancer can impact your premium payments and eligibility as insurers use it to assess your risk. The type, stage, treatment plan, and your prognosis come into play when an insurance company is deciding to give you coverage. Some types of cancers are highly treatable and are not recurring, while others are likely to recur or feature a high mortality rate. Low-risk cancers like basal cell skin cancers have a high approval rate compared to high-risk cancers such as lung cancer.

Also, many insurers may deny coverage of certain policies for patients with stage four cancer and only offer guaranteed issue policies.

Underwriting factors for cancer patients

When someone applies for a life insurance policy, the insurer will conduct a medical underwriting to identify the risk of insuring them. Typically, the company will assess the recurrence risk based on clinical studies, the time since you were first diagnosed and remission.
In most cases, if the risk of recurrence is low and it’s been several years since the cancer was first diagnosed or you’ve been in full remission for some time, getting approval for life insurance will be easier.

Premium impacts based on risk profile

Your risk level will determine your premium payment. Cancer patients still undergoing treatment may pay very high premiums and may only be eligible for guaranteed insurance or group policies. However, cancer survivors may be eligible for various policies, depending on the type and stage, and timing since remission. Their risk levels reduce with time post-treatment and are usually offered standard to heavily rated premiums.

What types of policies are available for cancer patients?

There are various types of life insurance policies for cancer patients, including whole life, term life, guaranteed, and simplified life insurance. But the one you could be approved for depends on the date of diagnosis, your treatment plan, the type and stage of cancer, and whether you’ve been declared in remission. Let’s take a closer look at some of the options you may qualify for.

Term life insurance for cancer patients

Cancer patients, especially those in remission or who have completed treatment for some years, may qualify for term life insurance. Factors like type and stage of cancer, how long since the last treatment, and one’s overall health conditions influence approval. However, the length of coverage, premiums, and benefit amounts typically depend on cancer history. A term life policy may be cost-effective if you have dependents or financial responsibilities.

Whole life insurance for cancer patients

Whole life policies are designed to last a lifetime as long as the policyholder continues to pay the premium. It offers a death benefit to the beneficiaries and offers a cash value component, allowing you to build on savings you can borrow against. However, it is worth noting that using the cash value can decrease the death benefit for your loved one.

You may be approved for a whole life policy if you’ve been declared in full remission and cancer hasn’t returned in some years, or if you had a low-risk cancer in early stages. You may need to provide your insurer with complete medical records as proof of successful treatment and a good prognosis.

Guaranteed life insurance from United of Omaha

United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, a Mutual of Omaha insurance company, offers guaranteed life insurance policies for cancer patients for people aged 45 to 85 (or aged 50 to 75 in New York State), whether you have just been diagnosed or are undergoing treatment.

Typically, you would not have to undergo a medical exam or answer health questions, and approval is guaranteed. This may make it suitable for older adults, often those aged 45 - 85 or those with serious complications. Like any other whole life insurance policy, a guaranteed issue life insurance policy offers you and your family some financial protection.

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Group insurance and employer-sponsored plans

Some employers offer group life insurance at reduced or no cost to their employees. Life insurance is generally more reasonable when purchased through the employer than when bought on your own.

It's important to note that you may experience coverage limits linked to your salary. If you have a group policy and have been diagnosed with cancer, you’ll likely keep your policy. It can also be easier because the employer handles most of the administrative work.

But remember that this coverage works like health insurance. So, it’s only active while you’re still employed. However, many plans allow portability, letting you keep your policy even after leaving the workplace. It’s best to consult with the human resources department to learn about the benefits of the life insurance offered.

There may also be a conversion policy that allows you to convert a group to an individual insurance policy with no exam required. It’s costlier but may be the best for cancer survivors who’re qualified for other individual policies.

What if you’re diagnosed after purchasing a policy?

If you already have an active policy and get diagnosed with cancer, your policy will remain valid provided you continue to pay your premiums. So your beneficiaries will receive the death payout if you pass away. But you need to keep some considerations in mind:

1. Adjusting coverage after diagnosis

You can tweak your coverage post diagnosis to ensure you get the right protection for your needs. For instance, if you have a term life, you can change it into a whole life without having to take a medical exam. That means you will be covered for life, even though premium payments may be higher.
You can add life insurance riders like an accelerated death benefit, critical illness or long-term care riders to get more protection. You may also consider increasing your face value if the situation allows. For example, a guaranteed issue policy may let you add a small policy with no health questions asked.

2. Importance of health disclosure and contestability periods

It is important to be honest during your application. If you lie or understate your preexisting condition, the insurer could deny your loved one the death benefit. Insurers usually review applications very carefully whenever someone files a claim. If they notice any inconsistency, they may refuse to pay out the benefit.
Most policies also feature a contestability period that varies with the insurer. During this period, the insurance company investigates health disclosures and may analyze your medical records. If any issues arise, they may withhold your death benefit.
However, after the contestability period, the company can’t deny a claim because of misrepresentations unless it proves fraud. So your beneficiaries will remain protected even if there is a change in your health.

Tips to improve approval chances after cancer

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t mean you can’t get approved for life insurance. Though the process may be more involved, some tips that can help include:

Offer as much detail as possible so the insurer can understand your recovery story.
Work with a reputable and well-known insurer like United of Omaha, which specializes in underwriting for cancer survivors.
Review your existing policies to see if there is any critical illness coverage you can claim.

Waiting periods and medical documentation

Insurers have a waiting period for a cancer diagnosis before considering your application. Low-risk cancer features a low waiting period compared to high-risk cancer. Compare different insurance policies to determine which one suits you best. Also, be prepared with your treatment summary, pathology reports, a letter regarding your current health, a list of your medications and oncology follow-up records. You may also want to demonstrate how you’ve made lifestyle improvements, like quitting smoking or weight loss.

Alternative options: No exam and group plans

Consider no-exam life insurance policies, like guaranteed or simplified issue. These often come at a higher premium payment but may be worth considering if you are diagnosed with cancer or another critical illness. A group policy may also be a consideration, as they can be guaranteed. Simplified issues policies typically feature no medical exams, which can shorten their approval process and make them more accessible. Applicants are required to fill out a questionnaire about their health, and then the insurance company will analyze their risk based on the answers. These policies suit cancer patients in early remission or with a stable diagnosis. Guaranteed issue policies may be best for people with advanced stages of cancer or those who’ve been recently diagnosed with cancer. While it is possible to get cancer at a younger age, guaranteed insurance often targets adults aged 45 to 85 years old (50 to 75 years old in New York State). For this policy, they don’t require a medical exam or health questions, and approval is always guaranteed.

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Why choose United of Omaha life insurance after cancer?

United of Omaha Life Insurance Company, a Mutual of Omaha company, offers several insurance products for cancer patients, including term and whole life insurance policies. But if you don’t qualify for these, guaranteed issue may be right for you, as it doesn’t require you to undergo a medical exam.

We are a reputable and well-known company with strong financial ratings and experience dealing with complex cases, such as when someone has a cancer diagnosis and is seeking coverage.

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Specialized products for cancer patients

The Guaranteed Whole Life Insurance offers coverage to people with cancer or who typically don’t qualify for traditional insurance. It’s mainly suitable for people ages 45 to 85 years (ages 50 to 75 in New York State) and features no medical exam, no health questions, increasing the ease of qualifications.

We offer fixed premiums, meaning that even if your health declines after activating your policy, the cost will not increase, and the death benefit won’t reduce.

Life insurance after a cancer diagnosis

Getting life insurance after a cancer diagnosis can be challenging, but not impossible. You may have different options if you're still undergoing treatment, to help protect your loved ones should anything happen to you. Different life insurance policies can help make a difference in the lives of those you care about.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Does life insurance pay out for cancer?

Yes. Life insurance will pay out for cancer. However, it’s crucial to be honest about your medical condition during the application since misstatements can lead to denial.

What if I’m currently in treatment or get denied coverage?

If you’re denied coverage, find out from your insurer why you were denied. Knowing the reason could guide you in your next steps. After, consider alternative coverage plans like guaranteed issue or group insurance via an employer. You may also decide to wait and reapply in the future.

What benefits are cancer patients entitled to?

Cancer patients may receive financial, insurance, and healthcare-related benefits designed to make their lives easier and protect their families. The specific benefits depend on the features of their policies and any riders they have purchased. For instance, an accelerated death benefit rider allows cancer patients to access a portion of their death benefit while still alive.

These funds can help with treatment, travel, or other expenses. You may also qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, which provides monthly income to people who can’t work because they are ill, or Supplemental Security Income, which offers monthly support to cancer patients with a low income.²