Life Insurance for High Risk Occupations

Over 100 Carriers to Quote From. Here are a few of them!

If you work in a high-risk occupation, getting life insurance can feel like an uphill battle. Jobs involving physical danger, hazardous environments, or frequent travel are often flagged by underwriters as “high risk.” This may lead to higher premiums—or worse, declined applications. The good news is that Diversified Insurance Brokers specializes in helping individuals in dangerous professions secure affordable, quality life insurance coverage. With access to 75+ top-rated carriers, we know which companies are more lenient for high-risk jobs and how to present your application for the best outcome.

Examples of High-Risk Occupations

While every carrier has its own guidelines, common high-risk jobs include:

Construction workers and heavy equipment operators
Commercial truck drivers
Loggers and forestry professionals
Roofers and iron workers
Oil rig, offshore, and mining workers
Fishermen and maritime occupations
First responders (firefighters, police officers, EMTs)
Military and government contractors in hazardous zones
Pilots and aviation professionals

How Carriers Evaluate High-Risk Occupations

Underwriters look closely at the details of your work. Two people with the same job title may receive different offers depending on the specifics:

Type of Work: A commercial airline pilot may be treated differently than a crop duster.
Frequency of Risk: Occasional hazardous duty is rated differently than daily high-risk exposure.
Work Environment: Indoor vs outdoor, domestic vs international, union vs independent contractor.
Additional Risk Factors: Travel to high-risk countries, exposure to chemicals, or operating heavy machinery.

Coverage Options for High-Risk Occupations

Even if you’ve been declined before, there are several options to secure coverage:

Traditional Term Life: With the right carrier, many high-risk workers qualify at Standard or Table-rated premiums.
Whole Life & Universal Life: Permanent policies are available, though premiums are higher.
Simplified Issue Policies: For those declined elsewhere, simplified underwriting provides guaranteed coverage with lower benefit amounts.
Group or Employer Coverage: Many workers supplement with employer-sponsored plans but should not rely on them alone.

Comparison: Standard vs High-Risk Underwriting

Factor	Standard Occupation	High-Risk Occupation
Premiums	Based on age, health, lifestyle	Age, health, lifestyle + occupational risk rating
Policy Types Available	All (term, whole, universal)	All, but some carriers may exclude or surcharge
Underwriting Process	Medical exam, labs, history	Medical exam + occupational questionnaire
Approval Odds	Higher across the board	Lower, depends on carrier expertise with high-risk cases

Case Example

A 45-year-old male oil rig worker applied for $500,000 in term life insurance. His initial application with a direct-to-consumer carrier was declined due to the nature of his work. We shopped the case with carriers known for more flexible underwriting on hazardous occupations and secured approval at a Table 2 rating. His monthly premium was slightly higher, but he now has the protection his family needs—something he would not have obtained without specialized high-risk underwriting knowledge.

Why Work With Diversified Insurance Brokers?

Since 1980, our independent brokerage has helped clients in dangerous and non-traditional occupations secure life insurance at the best possible rates. With access to 75+ carriers, we know which companies are more favorable for high-risk workers, and we can position your application to maximize approval chances. Learn more about our life insurance services or explore specialized coverage such as disability insurance to further protect your income.

FAQs: Life Insurance for High-Risk Occupations

Can I get life insurance if my job is considered high risk?

Yes—many people working in dangerous professions can still obtain life insurance. It depends largely on the specifics of your work, frequency of exposure to risks, and how well safety or exposure is mitigated.

What occupations are often considered high risk?

Trades like construction or heavy equipment operation, commercial trucking, logging, roofing, offshore oil rig or mining work, first responders (fire, police, EMT), maritime and aviation professions, and military or contractors in hazardous zones are typical examples.

How do carriers evaluate risk for high-risk jobs?

Insurers examine the exact tasks you perform, how often you’re exposed to hazards, whether you travel or work internationally, your safety record, relevant certifications/training, and whether you work under union or regulated environments versus more independent or exposed settings.

What types of policy options exist for high-risk workers?

Available options include traditional term life (often with a rating), permanent policies like whole or universal life (at higher cost), simplified-issue policies for those with declines elsewhere, and sometimes group/employer plans if those are available.

How much extra will it cost or what rating class should I expect?

Premiums are generally higher compared to standard occupation jobs. Depending on your role, risk exposure, and whether you’ve had any declines, you might see table-rated classifications or surcharges. However, with carriers familiar with high-risk occupations, you may qualify for surprisingly good rates.

How can I improve my approval chances and reduce cost?

Maintain a strong safety record, obtain certifications or safety training, use proper protective gear, document exposures carefully, manage health risk factors (smoking, weight, blood pressure), and work with a broker who knows which insurers have favorable underwriting for high-risk occupations.

Diversified Insurance Brokers specializes in helping high-risk applicants secure coverage, even after serious health conditions, or for those who work in high risk occupations.

About the Author:

Jason Stolz, CLTC, CRPC, is a senior insurance and retirement professional with more than two decades of real-world experience helping individuals, families, and business owners protect their income, assets, and long-term financial stability. As a long-time partner of the nationally licensed independent agency Diversified Insurance Brokers, Jason provides trusted guidance across multiple specialties—including fixed and indexed annuities, long-term care planning, personal and business disability insurance, life insurance solutions, and short-term health coverage. Diversified Insurance Brokers maintains active contracts with over 100 highly rated insurance carriers, ensuring clients have access to a broad and competitive marketplace.

His practical, education-first approach has earned recognition in publications such as VoyageATL, highlighting his commitment to financial clarity and client-focused planning. Drawing on deep product knowledge and years of hands-on field experience, Jason helps clients evaluate carriers, compare strategies, and build retirement and protection plans that are both secure and cost-efficient.