Video
Cancer and life insurance
A cancer diagnosis changes many things - but it doesn’t always mean life insurance is out of reach. Whether you’ve had cancer yourself or it runs in your family, there are still options to help you protect your loved ones. In this video, we’ll explain how cancer can impact your life insurance application, what insurers look for and the types of coverage that may still be available. You’ll learn how factors like health history, treatment stage and risk ratings can influence your options - and why it’s worth exploring coverage even after a diagnosis.
January 14, 2026
2 min and 2 sec watch
00:02:29 - 00:07:76
If you or someone you love has cancer, you already know, it touches every part of life.
00:07:76 - 00:10:55
One of the most common questions people ask is:
00:10:55 - 00:13:56
Can I get life insurance if I've had cancer?
00:13:56 - 00:14:51
The truth?
00:14:51 - 00:19:06
It may be harder, but it's not impossible. Let's break it down.
00:19:06 - 00:23:06
Each year, millions of Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.
00:23:57 - 00:29:11
Whether you've had cancer or it runs in your family, your health history could affect your options.
00:29:11 - 00:32:91
Insurance companies often review medical records and family history.
00:33:49 - 00:38:83
They may also use public data, like from the National Cancer Institute, to understand risk.
00:39:21 - 00:40:54
Based on your health,
00:40:54 - 00:44:59
you may be placed into one of five rating classes, which could affect your rates.
00:45:13 - 00:51:59
Preferred Plus. Preferred. Standard Plus. Standard. Substandard.
00:52:09 - 00:54:80
Preferred Plus gets the lowest rates.
00:54:80 - 00:57:81
Substandard usually means higher premiums.
00:58:14 - 01:01:48
If cancer runs in your family, but you've never had it yourself,
01:01:48 - 01:03:65
you may still qualify for good coverage.
01:03:73 - 01:08:19
In fact, if you're healthy overall, you could even be placed in a preferred category.
01:08:69 - 01:12:66
But if you've been diagnosed with cancer, the process gets more complicated.
01:12:91 - 01:18:50
Many insurers may not offer a traditional term or whole life insurance during active treatment.
01:18:66 - 01:21:37
But don't give up, you still have options.
01:21:37 - 01:26:09
Some insurers will consider the type of cancer, the stage, and how treatable it is.
01:26:92 - 01:30:34
For example, early-stage cancers like certain breast
01:30:34 - 01:33:802
or prostate cancers may still qualify for standard coverage.
01:34:51 - 01:39:51
If the cancer is more serious, guaranteed acceptance life insurance may be an option.
01:40:02 - 01:45:15
These policies don't ask health questions, and you can't be turned down for health reasons.
01:45:61 - 01:50:28
Life insurance with cancer can be challenging, but you don't have to go without it.
01:50:28 - 01:54:57
The important thing is knowing what options are out there and starting the conversation.
01:54:74 - 01:57:70
Explore and get answers at www.trustage.com.
If you or someone you love has cancer, you already know, it touches every part of life.
00:07:76 - 00:10:55
One of the most common questions people ask is:
00:10:55 - 00:13:56
Can I get life insurance if I've had cancer?
00:13:56 - 00:14:51
The truth?
00:14:51 - 00:19:06
It may be harder, but it's not impossible. Let's break it down.
00:19:06 - 00:23:06
Each year, millions of Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer.
00:23:57 - 00:29:11
Whether you've had cancer or it runs in your family, your health history could affect your options.
00:29:11 - 00:32:91
Insurance companies often review medical records and family history.
00:33:49 - 00:38:83
They may also use public data, like from the National Cancer Institute, to understand risk.
00:39:21 - 00:40:54
Based on your health,
00:40:54 - 00:44:59
you may be placed into one of five rating classes, which could affect your rates.
00:45:13 - 00:51:59
Preferred Plus. Preferred. Standard Plus. Standard. Substandard.
00:52:09 - 00:54:80
Preferred Plus gets the lowest rates.
00:54:80 - 00:57:81
Substandard usually means higher premiums.
00:58:14 - 01:01:48
If cancer runs in your family, but you've never had it yourself,
01:01:48 - 01:03:65
you may still qualify for good coverage.
01:03:73 - 01:08:19
In fact, if you're healthy overall, you could even be placed in a preferred category.
01:08:69 - 01:12:66
But if you've been diagnosed with cancer, the process gets more complicated.
01:12:91 - 01:18:50
Many insurers may not offer a traditional term or whole life insurance during active treatment.
01:18:66 - 01:21:37
But don't give up, you still have options.
01:21:37 - 01:26:09
Some insurers will consider the type of cancer, the stage, and how treatable it is.
01:26:92 - 01:30:34
For example, early-stage cancers like certain breast
01:30:34 - 01:33:802
or prostate cancers may still qualify for standard coverage.
01:34:51 - 01:39:51
If the cancer is more serious, guaranteed acceptance life insurance may be an option.
01:40:02 - 01:45:15
These policies don't ask health questions, and you can't be turned down for health reasons.
01:45:61 - 01:50:28
Life insurance with cancer can be challenging, but you don't have to go without it.
01:50:28 - 01:54:57
The important thing is knowing what options are out there and starting the conversation.
01:54:74 - 01:57:70
Explore and get answers at www.trustage.com.
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