High Risk Life Insurance

Life insurance for high risk individuals is often hard to find and more expensive, but it's still worth getting — speak to a broker.

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Gary Ross Hunter

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What sort of occupations and duties are classified as high risk?

Occupations that are commonly placed in the high-risk category include those that involve:

  • Working at heights, for example, as a window cleaner
  • Working underground, for example, as a miner
  • Working with firearms, such as if you are employed as a police officer
  • Working with explosives or dangerous chemicals, for example, if you work in the demolition industry
  • Serving in the armed forces
  • Working in any other occupation in a war zone, for example, as a journalist
  • Working in an occupation that exposes you to diseases, such as working as a doctor or nurse
  • Working with heavy machinery, for example, on large construction sites
  • Working in any occupation that exposes you to danger, such as if you’re a firefighter or an airline pilot

How does a high-risk occupation affect your life insurance premium?

*Risk levels are to be taken as a rough guide. Quotes are based on a 40 year old non-smoking male living in Sydney. Information last checked on November 2021 and are subject to change.

Occupation
Risk level
Average monthly premium*
Office Worker
Low risk
$82.21
Construction supervisor
Medium
$82.21
Train driver
Medium to high
$82.21
Wrecker
High
$82.21

Speak to a specialist to help you get cover for your occupation

Finding life insurance for high risk individuals can be difficult and time consuming. We've made it much easier. Enter your details below and a broker will get in touch with you about your high risk insurance options.

Why compare life insurance with Finder?

  • You pay the same price as buying directly from the life insurer.

  • We're not owned by an insurer (unlike other comparison sites).

  • We've done 100+ hours of policy research to help you understand what you're comparing.

How do insurers usually determine high-risk occupations?

Each insurer will vary in the way it assesses the risk of your job. However, as a general guide, it usually depends on:

  • Overall risk of your job title
  • Your individual duties and the hazards they involve
  • The environment in which you work in

It's worth pointing out that just because you work in one of these professions it doesn't necessarily mean that you will automatically be classified as high risk.

Insurance providers will instead use further criteria to determine the likelihood of you suffering injury, illness or death as a result of your occupation, some of which include:

  • How hazardous your individual role is. For example, if you work in the mining industry and this sometimes involves the use of heavy machinery, the insurer will require details on the type of machinery you work with and how often you do so as part of your job. If you work at heights, you'll need to provide details on the average height where work takes place and how long you spend working at that height.
  • How much experience you have in your position. You may find that someone with ten years of experience pays cheaper life insurance premiums than someone who is only in their first year in the same occupation.

Here's how your occupation could be classified:

Risk
Details
How does this rating impact my policy?
Low
Low to no manual work e.g. office workers, retail supervisors
Likely no effects
Medium
Worker that involves manual labour e.g. a tradesmen
Higher premiums
Medium to high
Heavy manual work e.g. A factory machinist
Higher premiums
High
Jobs that involve dangerous activities and environments eg, a miner
Higher premiums or exclusions
Non-insurable
An extremely risky job e.g. firefighting (for some brands)
No cover
Individual consideration
An occupation that's not listed by the insurer
Further assessment of job required

What other methods (aside from job) will insurers use to determine risk?

Life insurers take several steps to assess whether or not you are a high-risk applicant. Each insurer employs a team of underwriters who determine whether or not your application for cover will be accepted and, if so, whether any terms and conditions will apply to your cover.

To determine whether an individual is high risk, the insurer may:

  • Ask questions about your health and lifestyle during your cover application
  • Require you to undergo a medical examination
  • Require you to provide medical reports
  • Take into account non-work related factors such as pastimes, lifestyle and smoking status

Once the underwriters have all the information needed to calculate your level of risk, they can then decide whether or not to offer you cover. If cover is provided there may be terms and conditions attached, such as premium loadings or specific exclusions.

Frequently asked questions

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Journalist

Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 615 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living
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