Written by Cory Levine, Life Insurance Expert ✅
Founder of The Life Insurance Professionals · Licensed since 2018 · Boca Raton, FL, serving families nationwide
Editorial disclosure
This article was written by Cory Levine, a licensed independent life insurance agent, for general education. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Cory may earn a commission if you buy a policy through him, and that never changes what he recommends. Rates, benefits and availability vary by company, state and underwriting.
Helping families since 2018. Content follows our editorial standards to protect consumers.
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Cory Levine is an independent life insurance agent in Boca Raton, Florida, serving families nationwide. After losing his wife in 2017 and raising his children on his own, he helps families compare term life with living benefits, indexed universal life, permanent coverage and annuities, with honesty and no pressure. Read Cory’s full bio
Yes. Most people with high cholesterol can get life insurance, and many qualify for very good rates. If your cholesterol is treated and your numbers are in a healthy range, even on a statin, it’s one of the most insurable conditions there is.
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Here’s what I tell every client: timing is everything. High cholesterol by itself rarely holds anyone back. What changes the price, and sometimes the whole picture, is what it can lead to. Lock in coverage while your numbers are controlled and your heart is healthy, and you’re often in a far better spot than you think.
You’re not alone. The CDC reports that nearly 25 million U.S. adults have total cholesterol above 240 mg/dL, and about 86 million have a total above 200. Underwriters see this every single day.
Not sure how much coverage your family needs? Use the free calculator →
Why this matters for your family
I lost my wife in 2017 and raised our children on my own. I know what it means when a family suddenly loses a parent and a paycheck. That’s why I never want a cholesterol number on a lab report to be the reason a family goes unprotected.
High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. The CDC says the only way to know you have it is to get checked, and that it raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. That’s exactly why the best time to get covered is now, while it’s just a number and not a heart event. Read more in my guide to family life insurance.
Why timing is everything
Most people assume they’ll get insurance “later, once my numbers come down.” That can backfire. Here’s why:
- Today, high cholesterol alone is usually just one item underwriters weigh. Many people still qualify for preferred or standard rates.
- After a heart attack, stent or bypass, the picture changes. On some simplified plans for seniors, those events may mean a graded benefit for the first 2 years, standard rates after 2 to 5 years, and sometimes the best rate only after 5+ years. Traditional policies may postpone coverage or charge much more.
- Every birthday raises your price, even if your health doesn’t change.
The good news: if your cholesterol is controlled today, you may qualify for far better than you expect. The longer your numbers have been stable, the better your file usually looks.
Already had a heart event? Read Can I get life insurance after a heart attack? to see how your options can improve over time.
What underwriters look at when you have high cholesterol
Every company has its own rules, but most look at the same things:
- Total cholesterol. Measured from your exam blood draw or your medical records.
- Your cholesterol-to-HDL ratio. Many companies care about this more than total cholesterol. Higher “good” HDL can offset a higher total.
- LDL and triglycerides. Some companies look at these too, especially if numbers are very high.
- Medication. Most companies allow statins and other cholesterol medicines, often even in their best classes, as long as your numbers are in range.
- How long it’s been controlled. Steady numbers over time beat one good lab result.
- Related conditions. Blood pressure, diabetes, weight, family heart history and any heart symptoms are all looked at together.
- Tobacco use. Smoking plus high cholesterol is a much bigger concern than either alone.
How cholesterol affects your rate class
Here’s the part most websites skip. Many companies’ top “preferred” classes accept people on cholesterol medication, as long as their treated numbers stay under the company’s limits. Those limits commonly look at total cholesterol somewhere in the 220 to 300 range and a cholesterol-to-HDL ratio somewhere around 4.5 to 6, depending on the company and the rate class.
As a general guide (every company is different):
- Controlled, with or without medication, good ratio: Preferred or standard rates are often possible.
- Somewhat elevated but treated and stable: Standard rates are common.
- Very high and untreated, or a high ratio with other risk factors: You may see a table rating (a higher price, not a decline), so shopping matters.
- High cholesterol plus heart disease: The heart history drives the decision, and timing since the event matters a lot.
Fully underwritten term and IUL policies may treat cholesterol differently than simplified plans for seniors. Many simplified plans don’t ask about cholesterol at all, only about heart events and other serious conditions.
Which type of coverage fits?
Term life insurance usually gives the most protection for the lowest cost while your kids are growing and the mortgage is being paid. See term life insurance with living benefits.
Indexed universal life (IUL) can protect your family for life and build cash value that’s protected from market losses by a 0% floor. Try the free IUL calculator.
For seniors (about 60 to 65 and up), there are simplified plans with just a few health questions. With high cholesterol alone, many seniors can qualify for full coverage from day one. That’s usually a much better deal than a guaranteed-issue plan with a 2-year wait. I compare them in my guide to life insurance for seniors and in Can I get life insurance over 50, 60 or 70?
The mistake I see most often: someone on a statin assumes they’re “uninsurable,” buys a guaranteed-issue policy off TV, pays more for less coverage, and has a waiting period they never needed.
Can you get living benefits with high cholesterol?
Often, yes. Many policies include living benefits that may let you use part of your death benefit early for a qualifying terminal, chronic or critical illness, like a heart attack or stroke. Since those are exactly the risks high cholesterol raises, this can be a big deal. Learn more on my page about family life insurance with living benefits.
6 ways to get a better rate with high cholesterol
- Take your medication as prescribed. Consistent treatment shows up in your records.
- Know your numbers. Have your latest total, HDL and LDL ready before you apply.
- Prepare for your exam. Many exams ask you to fast. Follow the instructions, skip the heavy, greasy meal and alcohol the night before, and get good sleep.
- Show regular checkups. Steady care with your doctor helps your file.
- Be completely honest. Prescription history is checked. Surprises cause problems.
- Work with an independent agent. Companies set different cholesterol and ratio limits. One company’s standard can be another’s preferred.
Rates rise every year you wait. See how much in life insurance cost by age. If you also manage blood pressure or blood sugar, read Can I get life insurance if I have diabetes?
Find out which rate you’d likely qualify for, privately.
Take my 5-minute health check. I review it personally and tell you honestly where you stand before you apply anywhere. Nothing is shared without your OK.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I be denied life insurance for high cholesterol?
It’s rare when cholesterol is the only issue. Declines or postponements usually involve heart disease, a recent heart event or several serious conditions together.
Does taking a statin raise my life insurance rate?
Not necessarily. Many companies allow cholesterol medication even in their best classes, as long as your treated numbers are in range. Treatment often counts in your favor.
Is total cholesterol or the HDL ratio more important?
Many companies weigh the cholesterol-to-HDL ratio heavily. A higher HDL can help balance out a higher total number.
Should I wait until my cholesterol is lower to apply?
Sometimes a few months of steady, treated numbers can help. But waiting too long can cost more as you age, and a heart event in the meantime changes everything. Get a private review first so you know your best timing.
Can I get life insurance with high cholesterol and no medical exam?
Often, yes. No-exam options are available, but if your numbers are good, an exam can sometimes get you a better price.
How much life insurance does my family need?
It depends on your income, mortgage, debts and your kids’ future. The free life insurance calculator gives you a starting number in about two minutes.
Find out what you qualify for, before you apply
Tell me your numbers privately, and I’ll tell you honestly where you likely stand and the best time to apply. No pressure, no dozen applications.
📅 Schedule a free, no-obligation call with Cory →
Prefer to talk now? Call 561-542-8610.
This article is for general education only and isn’t medical, legal or tax advice. Coverage, rates, rate classes, waiting periods and living benefit availability depend on the insurance company, the policy, your state and your individual underwriting. Guaranteed-issue and graded-benefit policies typically limit the death benefit during the first years of coverage.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, High Cholesterol Facts; CDC, About High Cholesterol.
The Life Insurance Professionals · Cory Levine · Boca Raton, FL, serving families nationwide
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I’m Cory Levine, an independent agent and a widower raising my children. I know what the right policy means to a family. I compare top-rated companies, not just one, to find you honest options: coverage that protects your family, living benefits you can use while you’re alive, and income you can’t outlive.
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About Cory Levine
Cory Levine is an independent life insurance agent and founder of The Life Insurance Professionals, based in Boca Raton, Florida and serving families nationwide. Licensed since 2018, he has helped hundreds of families protect what matters most. After losing his wife in 2017 and raising his children on his own, he knows firsthand what the right coverage means to a family. Guided by his faith, Cory treats every family he helps as a responsibility, not a sale, with honesty, transparency and no pressure. He compares top-rated companies to find honest options: term life with living benefits, indexed universal life, permanent coverage, and annuities, including 401(k) rollovers and retirement income you can’t outlive. Florida License W526357.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” — Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
