How To Get Life Insurance With Alcoholism [2023]
You can get term life insurance as an alcoholic, but it will be more difficult. Read on to learn more about the application process and the rates you should expect to pay.
Ready to compare quick life insurance quotes?
Your life insurance quotes are always free.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jul 11, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right life insurance coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident life insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one life insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our life insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different life insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about life insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything life insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by life insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 11, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right life insurance coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident life insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one life insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our life insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different life insurance companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Companies can provide life insurance for alcoholics, but you need to provide them with complete information
- You may need to provide blood for testing to support the application
- Underwriters may also look at driving records and other histories
If a doctor has diagnosed you as suffering from alcohol use disorder, you may worry that you won’t be able to get term life insurance. What kind of questions will the underwriters ask, and will you be able to qualify so that you can obtain some protection for your loved ones? We realize that these can be difficult questions, and it’s not always easy to find answers, so we’ve researched everything about term life insurance for alcoholics for you here.
Where should your rates be? You can compare term life insurance quotes to find out. Enter your ZIP code above for a FREE instant life insurance quote with alcohol addiction and compare it against what you’re paying today. Then read on to see how you can be on the path to reduced rates.
Investigating Term Life Insurance for Alcoholics
The good news is that it is possible to get term life insurance for alcoholics. Still, the insurance companies will need to gather a lot of information about your past and current health in order to come up with an offer that makes sense for both sides. You’ll need to talk openly about your history with alcohol as you complete the application, and will need to have blood tests in support. The company will then assess your case against their rating scale and come back with a response.
Your life insurance quotes are always free.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Life Insurance With a History of Alcoholism
There is little question that alcohol abuse can be difficult to deal with and presents an ongoing health problem. Life insurance companies will treat it like other medical conditions. You can get life insurance with a medical condition, but it is more of a risk for the company, so they will charge you more.
It is possible to get term life insurance for addicts, but insurance companies understand the challenge and may worry that an applicant could have long-term health and safety issues. They may err on the safe side when underwriting and offering coverage.
So, to assess the situation, life insurance companies will initiate an underwriting process following life insurance underwriting guidelines. The first step will be a detailed application.
If you’ve been incident-free for more than two years, you can start with the following providers.
| Companies | Minimum Years Sober |
|---|---|
| Banner Life | 2 |
| Lincoln Financial | 2 |
| AIG | 5 |
| Prudential | 5 |
| Protective | 5 |
What’s on a term life insurance application?
First, you will need to be open about your history of alcohol use when you complete the application for term life insurance. It is not a good idea to lie on your term life insurance application. If you have a history of alcohol abuse, the company will want to see that you have received treatment and regularly visit your doctor to check on your progress.
They’ll ask you to send in a blood sample, which a lab technician will test to look for specific markers (enzymes and proteins) related to liver function.
They may also refer to your driving records to see if there is any history of driving while intoxicated. They might perform a background check looking for any evidence of criminal charges associated with disorderly conduct, which could have a link to alcohol abuse.
What is term life insurance?
Term life insurance policies are issued for a specific period, usually for 10, 20 or 30 years. They are different from permanent life insurance policies, which have no end date but tend to be considerably more expensive.
What do underwriters look for on term life insurance applications?
The underwriters will consider your age at diagnosis and the amount of time that has passed since then. They’ll also consider the length of time between treatment and recovery and see if you adhere to the doctor’s recommendations. The insurers will want to know that you are regularly visiting your doctor for follow-up advice.
Expect them to look at your general health and note if you are a tobacco or drug user. If you continue to drink now, you may not be successful, and if you ask, “can I get life insurance if I drink every day?” this would likely raise a red flag.
What do term life insurance rating pools mean?
Insurance companies use life insurance rating classes when looking at coverage.
- Preferred Plus is for people who have no health issues and good family history.
- Preferred is for those who may have had health issues in the past or family history that may indicate the potential for problems in the future.
- Standard is for those who have some existing or expected health concerns.
- Substandard is also known as Tables A to H.
You are likely to be in a higher rated pool (such as substandard) due to your issues with alcohol.
The table below will give you a reference for average quoted rates from the top 10 leading insurers for term insurance. These are the lowest potential rates available from the preferred rate pool.
| Age | $100,000 Policy, Male | $100,000 Policy, Female | $250,000 Policy, Male | $250,000 Policy, Female | $500,000 Policy, Male | $500,000 Policy, Female |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | $11 | $10 | $22 | $13 | $23 | $19 |
| 30 | $11 | $10 | $15 | $13 | $24 | $19 |
| 35 | $11 | $10 | $15 | $13 | $24 | $19 |
| 40 | $13 | $11 | $18 | $15 | $29 | $24 |
| 45 | $15 | $13 | $22 | $20 | $36 | $33 |
| 50 | $19 | $17 | $30 | $27 | $54 | $47 |
| 55 | $25 | $21 | $43 | $34 | $79 | $62 |
| 60 | $36 | $27 | $71 | $51 | $79 | $95 |
| 65 | $51 | $38 | $110 | $75 | $213 | $144 |
How to Apply for Term Life Insurance for Alcoholics
If you are an alcoholic or a doctor has diagnosed you with alcohol use disorder, you should be in full recovery before you apply for term life insurance. Gather all your doctor’s contact information and ensure your medical records are up to date. Keep up with your regular doctor’s visits and maintain as healthy a lifestyle as possible, including diet and exercise. Remember, if you continue to drink, those markers will show up on a blood test following your application.
Your life insurance quotes are always free.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Case Studies: Term Life Insurance for Alcoholics
Case Study 1: John’s Journey to Obtaining Life Insurance
John, a recovering alcoholic, decided it was time to protect his loved ones by getting term life insurance. He understood that his history of alcoholism might complicate the application process. John openly shared his past alcohol use and provided evidence of his treatment and ongoing recovery.
The insurance company requested a blood sample to assess his liver function and conducted background checks to ensure there were no related criminal charges. Despite the challenges, John was able to secure term life insurance coverage that provided financial protection for his family.
Case Study 2: Sarah’s Struggle With Insurance Denial
Sarah, an individual with a long history of alcoholism, faced difficulties in obtaining life insurance. She had been incident-free for more than two years, but some insurance companies were hesitant to offer coverage due to the potential long-term health risks associated with alcohol addiction.
Sarah persevered and approached different insurance providers. Eventually, she found a company that understood her situation and offered her term life insurance at higher rates. Sarah’s determination allowed her to secure the coverage she needed for her family’s future.
Case Study 3: Mark’s Successful Application as a Recovered Alcoholic
Mark, a recovered alcoholic, took proactive steps to improve his chances of obtaining term life insurance. Before applying, Mark ensured he was in full recovery, regularly visited his doctor, and maintained a healthy lifestyle.
By abstaining from alcohol during the application process, he avoided any red flags that could have affected his eligibility. Mark’s commitment to his recovery journey paid off, and he successfully obtained term life insurance coverage, providing peace of mind for his loved ones.
Final Thoughts on Getting Term Life Insurance for Alcoholics
You can certainly qualify for term life insurance if you suffer from alcohol addiction. Still, approval will be up to underwriters and based on the information in your application and accompanying tests. It may be a good idea to shop around to compare offers. Also, if your life insurance was denied as an alcoholic, you can always try another company.
So what are you waiting for? Get started comparing term life insurance for recovered alcoholics right now with our FREE quote tool here and get an instant quote in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get term life insurance if I have a history of alcoholism?
Yes, it is possible to obtain term life insurance if you have a history of alcoholism. However, it may be more challenging, and the rates you’ll be offered may be higher. The insurance company will gather information about your past and current health to assess the risk and provide an offer.
What information do I need to provide on a term life insurance application as an alcoholic?
When completing a term life insurance application, it’s essential to be open about your history of alcohol use. Lying on the application is not recommended. The insurance company will want to see evidence of treatment and regular visits to your doctor for progress checks. They may also request a blood sample and perform background checks.
What factors do underwriters consider when reviewing term life insurance applications for alcoholics?
Underwriters will consider your age at the time of diagnosis, the duration of time since the diagnosis, and the time between treatment and recovery. They will also look at your overall health, including whether you use tobacco or drugs. Continued alcohol consumption may raise concerns for underwriters.
What is term life insurance?
Term life insurance policies provide coverage for a specific period, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. Unlike permanent life insurance policies, term policies have an end date and are generally more affordable.
How can I apply for term life insurance as an alcoholic?
If you’re an alcoholic or have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, it’s advisable to be in full recovery before applying for term life insurance. Gather your doctor’s contact information, ensure your medical records are up to date, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Continued drinking may be detected through blood tests, so it’s essential to abstain during the application process.
Your life insurance quotes are always free.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Michelle Robbins
Licensed Insurance Agent
Michelle Robbins has been a licensed insurance agent for over 13 years. Her career began in the real estate industry, supporting local realtors with title Insurance. After several years, Michelle shifted to real estate home warranty insurance, where she managed a territory of over 100 miles of real estate professionals. Later, Agent Robbins obtained more licensing and experience serving families a...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about life insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything life insurance-related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by life insurance experts.
