Guaranteed Issue

Life coverage with no medical questions or exam — approval is guaranteed, but limits are lower and prices higher. Great for hard-to-insure folks.

Guaranteed issue life insurance is coverage you can get with no medical exam and no health questions — approval is guaranteed as long as you’re within the eligible age range.

It exists for people who can’t qualify for traditional coverage because of serious health conditions. The trade-offs are real: limits are low, premiums are higher per dollar of coverage, and there’s usually a graded death benefit for the first two or three years (paying back premiums plus interest rather than the full amount if you pass early from natural causes).

For someone who’s otherwise uninsurable, it’s a valuable last resort — but healthier applicants will almost always do better with simplified-issue or fully underwritten policies.

This is a friendly general explanation, not legal or policy language. Exact coverage depends on your policy, carrier, and state. 🤝

Written and reviewed by the We Insure Things team — licensed independent insurance agents. Last reviewed July 23, 2026. Questions? Ask a licensed agent.