Can I Buy A Life Insurance Policy For Someone With A Critical Illness?

Written by : Knowledge Centre Team

2026-02-17

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Life insurance plans are generally easy to obtain for healthy people who do not have any preexisting conditions or diseases. Even term insurance, one of the more affordable types of life insurance, is easier to purchase for people without pre-existing conditions.

Key Takeaways

Life insurance for sick people is possible, but approval depends on the type, severity, and history of the illness
Full and honest medical disclosure is mandatory; non-disclosure can lead to claim rejection
Applicants with critical illnesses may face higher premiums, waiting periods, or specific policy conditions
Critical illness riders can enhance protection by offering financial support for major health conditions
With proper planning, updated medical records, and the right policy choice, life insurance can still provide meaningful coverage despite health issues

However, if you or someone you know already suffers from a critical illness, obtaining life insurance cover may be slightly more difficult. This is because most insurers have strict terms and conditions regarding life insurance for someone with a critical illness. In this blog, we explain whether it is still possible to buy life insurance in such cases and what factors insurers consider before offering coverage.

Can someone With a Critical iIllness Buy a Life Insurance Policy?

In some cases, the answer is yes. As long as an applicant with a pre-existing critical illness fulfils the requirements laid out by the insurer, it may be possible to purchase in a life insurance plan.

The bottom line is that insurers need to be aware of the risk involved in selling a life insurance policy to an applicant. For people with a critical illness, that risk is significantly greater, since the probability that the insured person may pass away during the policy’s term is statistically higher. When it comes to offering a life cover to people with a critical illness, most insurance companies have certain rules and regulations in place.

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What are Some Examples of Critical Illness?

While the exhaustive list of conditions considered critical illness may vary from one insurer to another, here are some examples of what this category may include.

Cancer
Heart disease
Stroke
Kidney failure
HIV

Life Insurance With Critical Illnesses: Key Considerations

Investing in any of the different types of life insurance when you’re healthy is a straightforward process. However, if you or someone you know suffers from a critical illness, the process involved in buying life insurance is slightly different.

Here are some important things you need to keep in mind before you decide to buy a life insurance plan for someone with a critical illness.

Disclosure of Critical Illness to the Insurer

You need to disclose to your insurer the fact that you suffer from a critical illness before you invest in life insurance. Not revealing this information could make your claim invalid when you approach the insurer for your final settlement. The specifics may vary from one illness to another, but they’re all directed at helping the insurer understand the extent of risk involved in providing you witha life cover. Most insurers typically equire details such as these when you buy life insurance:

The date you were first diagnosed with the critical illness
The extent of the disease or the severity of the condition
The kind of treatment you received (or are currently receiving)

Did You Know?

Insurers are seeing rising demand for critical illness riders, as more Indians add layered protection beyond basic life cover

Source: Outlook Money

Impact of Critical Illness on Life Insurance Premiums

The premium charged for life insurance is significantly higher if you’ve been diagnosed with a critical illness such as cancer, heart disease, or stroke. This is because, with a pre-existing condition, the insurer is more likely to be required to pay out the protective cover to the policyholder. To compensate for this increased exposure to risk, insurance companies charge higher premiums on policies issued to people with critical illnesses.

Waiting Period Requirements for Life Insurance With Illness

If you have a history of any critical illness, most insurers may impose a waiting period that you need to get through before purchasing a life insurance plan. For instance, if you’ve just had a heart attack, you might only be eligible to invest in a life cover 6 months after the date of the attack. Some insurers may extend this period up to 3 years. Similarly, with conditions like cancer, insurers may require that you be in remission for a specified period before they consider you eligible.

Importance of Updated Medical Records

Updated medical records are crucial for smooth life insurance claims processing, as IRDAI mandates accurate health disclosures and documentation submission. They ensure proper underwriting assessment, prevent claim rejections due to non-disclosure, and support faster settlements by verifying pre-existing conditions and treatment history. Hence, before you approach an insurer to buy a life cover, ensure that your medical records are up-to-date and in order, so you can make a better case for yourself.

Critical Illness Rider: Enhanced Life Insurance That Covers Illness

If you are wondering, “Can u get life insurance if you're already sick?” or “Whether there are any life insurance for people with health issues,” a critical illness rider can help bridge gaps in standard plans by offering targeted financial support. This add-on is especially relevant if you or someone you care about is looking for coverage regarding illnesses and specific life insurance for kidney patients.

Key Points About Critical Illness Riders:

What it Covers: A critical illness rider pays a lump sum if the insured is diagnosed with specified illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure
Support for Treatment Costs: The payout can help cover high medical expenses, loss of income, and recovery-related costs, offering financial cushioning during difficult times
Affordable Add-On: Compared to buying a separate critical illness policy, adding a rider is usually more cost-effective and enhances protection without drastically increasing premiums
Integration With Term Plans: When attached to a term plan, the rider ensures both life cover and illness support under a single policy, useful if you’re seeking life insurance for people with health issues
Consider Standalone Cover: While riders add valuable protection, they have limits. Standalone critical illness insurance may offer broader coverage and higher sums for severe conditions

Conclusion

Life doesn't always go according to plan, and a critical illness diagnosis can turn everything upside down. But even in the face of uncertainty, life insurance and critical illness coverage remain powerful tools to protect your loved ones and ensure their financial stability when they need it most. While securing life insurance for sick people requires careful planning and persistence, it's a decision that reflects profound love and responsibility.

By exploring tailored policies, working with knowledgeable professionals, and staying committed to the process, you can create a safety net that offers both financial relief and emotional comfort. After all, true protection isn't just about numbers; it's about leaving behind a legacy of care, security, and peace of mind.

Glossary

Critical Illness Rider: Optional add-on providing a lump-sum payout upon diagnosis of listed serious illnesses like cancer or stroke
Waiting Period: Time after policy purchase before certain benefits activate, often for recovery from health events
Pre-existing Condition: Medical issue existing before policy purchase that insurers evaluate during underwriting
Rider: Optional policy add-on that provides extra coverage, like critical illness protection beyond basic benefits
Underwriting: Insurer's evaluation of health history to assess risk, premiums, and coverage eligibility for applicants

FAQs

Yes, you can purchase life insurance in India despite pre-existing illnesses, but full medical history disclosure is essential. You can expect stricter underwriting, potential premium loadings, or waiting periods. However, severe cases may face rejection;, milder conditions like diabetes or hypertension are often covered.

Life insurance can cover critical or chronic illnesses mainly through optional add-on riders like Critical Illness coverage. These provide a lump-sum payout for diagnosed conditions (cancer, stroke, etc.) to help with treatment costs. However, standard riders typically exclude chronic, long-term conditions.

Yes, life insurance is possible after a heart attack or serious health issue, though it's more challenging and typically involves higher premiums. Approval often requires a recovery waiting period, with options like traditional, high-risk, or guaranteed issue policies.

Life insurance policies cannot be cancelled solely due to health problems developing after purchase, as long as premiums are paid and the application was truthful. Life insurance for someone with health problems remains secure against new illnesses or declines, even though pre-existing conditions must be disclosed upfront.

Disclaimer - This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited or any affiliated entity. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the blog or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained in the blog for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. You should consult with a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances before taking any action based on the content provided herein.

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