Life Insurance Guide for Inmates (2024)

Life insurance for inmates is not easy to find, but it’s not impossible to get coverage as a felon.

Your criminal history will impact your life insurance rates, but there are providers who offer guaranteed issue life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage to inmates.

When it comes to the type of life insurance available, felons face a few restrictions when qualifying for life insurance coverage. Read our guide Life Insurance Guide to learn how to buy life insurance.

Inmates can expect to pay higher premiums, but shopping online for high-risk life insurance gives you the chance to compare quotes and find more affordable life insurance for inmates.

Check out our guide, Life Insurance for High-Risk Individuals (Discounts & Rates), for more information regarding insuring high-risk individuals.

Not all insurers will issue a life insurance policy to inmates, and if they do, policy premiums will be high. To find high-risk life insurance companies near you, enter your ZIP code above to start comparing free life insurance quotes with competitive rates.

Read more: How does life insurance work?

Can you buy life insurance for inmates?

Yes, you can buy life insurance for people in prison, but you may have a hard time finding a provider willing to cover such a high-risk individual. 

Since life insurance for inmates poses a great risk to the insurance provider, you will not be able to find policies with traditional companies. You will have to shop for multiple quotes to find affordable high-risk life insurance companies.

Learn more about the insurance companies near you with our free insurance reviews. And learn more about buying insurance for someone other than yourself by reading, Can you buy life insurance for someone else?

What types of life insurance can inmates buy?

State insurance laws can restrict life insurance for inmates, and most insurance companies have their own regulations regarding life insurance with a criminal record.

For that reason, most life insurance companies will only offer guaranteed issue life insurance policies to inmates. Guaranteed life insurance policies cover burial and other final expenses and often come with other limitations.

For example, most guaranteed issue policies are only available to people over the age of 50 and only provide coverage up to $25,000, which may not be enough for your family.

If you had life insurance coverage in place before being sent to prison, your coverage will still apply as long as your premiums are paid and you don’t die committing a criminal act.

Unfortunately, your choices are quite limited if you didn’t already have coverage in place.

Inmates can choose to purchase Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage, but realize that it does not provide death benefits if they die of illness, disease, or as a result of a pre-existing medical condition. (For more information, read our “Accidental Death and Dismemberment vs Life Insurance: Which is better?“).

Find out more about pre-existing conditions in our guide, Life Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions.

How much does life insurance for inmates cost?

Life insurance rates vary by age, gender, and policy limits, but life insurance for inmates often costs more than standard rates due to the increased level of risk that comes with incarceration.

Take a look at the table of average guaranteed issue life insurance rates below to see how this may impact your budget for inmate life insurance premiums.

Average Monthly Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance Rates Based on Age, Gender, and Policy Amount

Guaranteed issue coverage is only available to applicants 50 years or older, but a few insurance companies will offer these kinds of policies to those as young as forty.

Shop around to find the best life insurance company that offers 30-year terms.

How to Buy Life Insurance for Felons

If you need to purchase high-risk life insurance policies for inmates, it’s important to reduce as much risk as possible. Every insurance company assesses risk differently, so research providers that specialize in high-risk policies and shop around online in order to find insurance that fits your needs.

Depending on the nature of the crime, and your risk category, you may qualify for a high-risk policy.

An attorney or someone with the power of attorney can argue on your behalf. If they can prove that your family and other dependents will suffer financially after your death, you may qualify for high-risk life insurance for inmates. 

Be aware that this kind of coverage comes with higher premiums but can give you the level of coverage you need to keep your family comfortable after your death.

Read more: Life Insurance Guide for Felons

Start comparing life insurance for inmates’ rates and coverages by company with our free comparison tool below. Enter your ZIP code to get free insurance quotes from local companies near you.

Case Studies: Life Insurance for Inmates

Case Study 1: John’s Burial Expenses

John, an inmate serving a long-term sentence, wants to ensure that his family is financially protected in the event of his passing. With the help of an attorney, John explores guaranteed issue life insurance policies that cover burial expenses. Despite facing higher premiums, John finds an affordable policy that provides peace of mind for his loved ones.

Case Study 2: Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage for Mark

Mark, a felon with a history of dangerous activities, is interested in obtaining life insurance coverage that protects his family in case of accidental death or dismemberment. Despite being limited to this specific type of coverage, Mark discovers an insurer specializing in high-risk individuals and secures a policy tailored to his needs.

Case Study 3: Finding Affordable Coverage for Sarah

Sarah, an inmate with a clean record prior to her conviction, seeks life insurance coverage that extends beyond burial expenses. Aware of the limitations imposed on inmates, Sarah diligently compares quotes from multiple high-risk life insurance providers online. Through careful research, she identifies an insurer offering more affordable rates and broader coverage options.