Many undocumented individuals assume life insurance is unavailable to them. In reality, life insurance for undocumented people is possible in certain situations when coverage is structured correctly and placed with the right carriers. The key is understanding how insurers evaluate residency, identification, income, and risk—rather than immigration status alone.

At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we work with carriers that will consider applications from undocumented individuals using alternative forms of identification and underwriting criteria. Our role is to match each situation to the insurers whose guidelines are most flexible while maintaining fair pricing and reliable benefits.

Is Life Insurance Available Without Legal Immigration Status?

Some life insurance companies are willing to insure undocumented individuals when certain criteria are met. Immigration status itself is not always the deciding factor. Instead, insurers focus on whether the applicant can be properly identified, resides in the U.S., and meets underwriting standards related to health and financial eligibility.

This means approval is highly carrier-specific. Some insurers will decline automatically, while others will review cases using alternative documentation. Working with the right carrier is critical.

Identification Requirements

While a Social Security number is commonly requested, it is not always required. Some insurers accept alternative identification, depending on the policy type and underwriting approach.

Commonly accepted documents may include:

• Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) • Valid foreign passport • Consular ID card • Proof of U.S. residency such as utility bills or lease agreements

Documentation requirements vary by insurer, which is why carrier selection matters so much in undocumented cases.

Income and Financial Justification

Life insurance coverage amounts must be financially justifiable. Insurers typically want to see consistent income, even if that income is earned through self-employment or cash-based work.

Tax filings using an ITIN, business records, or other proof of earnings may be used to support an application. The goal is to demonstrate that the coverage amount aligns with income and financial responsibilities.

Understanding how insurers evaluate financial justification can help avoid unnecessary delays or declines. Our guide on group vs individual life insurance explains how individual policies are evaluated.

Health and Medical Underwriting

Medical underwriting applies the same way it does for U.S. citizens. Age, height, weight, medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors all influence pricing and eligibility.

Some policies require medical exams, while others use simplified underwriting. Fully underwritten policies often offer the most competitive pricing, even for undocumented applicants.

For a breakdown of what to expect, see what is a life insurance exam.

Types of Life Insurance That May Be Available

Policy options depend on carrier guidelines and applicant profile.

Term Life Insurance may be available for applicants who meet documentation and underwriting standards. This option provides coverage for a specific number of years and is commonly used for income replacement and family protection.

Permanent Life Insurance options may also be available in certain cases, particularly where long-term residency history and stable income can be demonstrated.

Some applicants may also consider policies designed for individuals with limited documentation. These policies tend to have lower coverage limits but still provide meaningful protection.

Beneficiaries and Family Protection

Life insurance beneficiaries do not need to be U.S. citizens or residents. Policies can name spouses, children, parents, or other family members, including those living outside the United States.

This flexibility makes life insurance a powerful tool for families supporting loved ones both domestically and internationally.

Common Misconceptions

One of the biggest misconceptions is that undocumented individuals are automatically disqualified from life insurance. While options are more limited, coverage is not impossible.

Another misconception is that policies will be canceled if immigration status changes. Once issued, an individual life insurance policy remains in force as long as premiums are paid, regardless of future status changes.

Why Work With Diversified Insurance Brokers

Undocumented life insurance cases require careful carrier selection, proper documentation, and accurate application presentation. Mistakes can lead to unnecessary declines that follow an applicant for years.

We specialize in matching applicants to insurers with flexible underwriting guidelines and experience reviewing non-traditional documentation.

Our goal is to secure coverage that is stable, fairly priced, and designed to protect families without creating future complications.