You can qualify for life insurance coverage if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea — as long as you’re being actively treated for your condition. The severity of your sleep apnea and other factors, including your height-to-weight ratio, will likely have an impact on the cost of your premiums. Still, you’ll get approved for more affordable rates if you have mild to moderate sleep apnea and you stick to a treatment regimen.
How does sleep apnea affect your life insurance premiums?
Sleep apnea, a condition experienced by nearly 22 million Americans, [1] may lead to higher premiums because it increases your insurance risk if left untreated.
The disruptions to your sleep and breathing can lead to daytime sleepiness (and therefore injuries or accidents) and other potentially serious conditions that increase your risk of death, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep apnea, which occurs when your throat muscles relax and block your airway while you're sleeping. [2] However, the type of sleep apnea you have — including central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea, which are less common — can have an impact on your rates, but your treatment plan is still one of the most important factors in determining your premiums.
If, for example, you consistently use a device to improve your breathing overnight and report fewer sleep disturbances, your insurance risk is likely to be lower, which can lead to better rates.
But if you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have failed to follow the proper treatment prescribed by your doctor, your life insurance rates could increase as much as 50%.
If there are indications that your sleep apnea isn’t well-managed — like you recently had an accident caused by lack of sleep — or if you smoke or have other health concerns that can make your sleep apnea worse, the cost of your premiums will be higher.
Sleep apnea can usually be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Your chances to get approved for traditional life insurance coverage at a lower-than-average or average rate will increase if your sleep apnea is considered mild or moderate.
On the other hand, the underlying cause of your sleep apnea can have an impact on how much you’ll pay for life insurance.
For example, if your sleep apnea is caused by heart disease, that medical condition will also affect your rates. Or, if your sleep apnea is caused by obesity, your height-to-weight ratio will also have an impact on the cost of your coverage.
What information about your sleep apnea will you have to disclose when you apply for life insurance?
Life insurance companies will use the underwriting process to determine the risk of insuring you.
You’ll most likely have to take a medical exam and answer questions about the following factors of your condition during your initial phone interview.
1. Apnea hypopnea index and oxygen levels
Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed using some form of sleep study or monitoring. The life insurance company will want to know the date and results of your most recent study, which will include the following data:
Apnea hypopnea index (AHI)/respiratory disturbance index (RDI): Number of pauses in breathing or instances of shallow breathing per hour of sleep. Insurance companies will be looking for an RDI between 10 and 25.
Oxygen saturation: A measure of your blood oxygen levels, which decreases if breathing is paused or shallow. Insurers will want to see an oxygen saturation level of 80% or higher.
Based on this information, your sleep apnea may be considered mild, moderate, or severe. The level of severity of your condition will be one of the factors insurance companies will use to set your rates.
2. Date of diagnosis
The insurer will ask when you were first diagnosed with sleep apnea. How long you’ve had your diagnosis — and sometimes your age when you were first diagnosed — can have an impact on your insurance risk.
Some insurance companies are more likely to give lower rates to applicants who have had a sleep apnea diagnosis for two years or more. The lengthier period makes it easier to assess the severity of your symptoms and your ability to manage the condition in the long term.
3. Treatment history
The company will also want to know details about your treatment. For example:
If you’re using a CPAP machine
If you’re using any other device, such as a mouth guard
The insurer may also request an attending physician statement (APS) from your primary doctor to better understand the history of your condition.
Make sure to have a diagnosis and a proper treatment plan in place before you apply. For moderate or severe sleep apnea, it can be easier to get approved after six months from the date of your original diagnosis, assuming you’ve been properly following the treatment prescribed by your doctor.
If you’re unsure whether this is the right time to apply or you should wait until your sleep apnea has improved, connect with a Policygenius agent. They’ll be able to walk you through your options.
What types of life insurance are available if you have sleep apnea?
Term life insurance and whole life insurance are the two most common types of coverage. However, deciding between term life and whole life will, in most cases, have more to do with your financial situation and coverage goals than with your health condition.
Term life insurance is the most affordable and convenient coverage for most people. It lasts for a specific term — usually 10 to 30 years — and then it expires. Term life offers basic protection during the period of your life when you have the biggest expenses, such as children to raise or a mortgage to pay off.
Whole life insurance doesn’t expire and comes with a cash value component that grows over time. It’s significantly more expensive than term life, but it can be a good option in certain situations. For example, if you have a high net worth and are looking to diversify your investment portfolio or estate planning strategy, or if you have dependents who require lifelong care.
What are the best life insurance companies for people with sleep apnea?
Methodology
Why you can trust our picks
Our recommendations are based on internal and external expert analysis, as well as our Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. When reviewing a life insurance company, our editorial team uses a proprietary scoring rubric with five factors — price, policy details, financial strength, transparency, and customer experience — to assign an unbiased rating between one and five stars. These ratings are also taken into consideration as part of our company recommendations. We don’t get paid for our reviews.
Our reviews and recommendations can help you find a reliable insurer for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you depends on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can support you during the application process to ensure you get the right coverage for your circumstances at the most competitive price.
Best for mild sleep apnea: Transamerica
Transamerica
4.6
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Transamerica is one of the oldest and largest life insurance companies, with over 12 million active accounts today. It offers affordable rates for almost every age, and you can even skip the medical exam if you fall under a certain age or coverage amount.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for term life insurance
No-medical-exam available for qualifying applicants, including smokers and people between 60 and 70, which is rare
One of the fastest turnaround times in the industry for traditionally underwritten term policies
Cons
Term life not available in New York
Not a good option for people with a history of cancer, alcohol abuse, or asthma
Transamerica is a great choice for people with well-controlled sleep apnea and an average height-to-weight ratio, since the company will offer you lower-than-average rates.
Transamerica also allows you to complete health questions online or over the phone first — then review your answers before requesting an in-person medical exam. If you’re consistent with your treatment and don’t have many other health conditions, you may not have to take an exam.
Best for moderate sleep apnea: Legal & General America
2024 Policygenius award winner
Legal & General America
4.9
30+ year terms
All 50 states
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Legal & General America, which also does business as Banner Life and William Penn, has some of the longest term lengths — up to 40 years — and most competitive life insurance rates available, even for people with a history of medical conditions.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for a variety of health conditions
Fast instant-decision option for qualifying applicants
Variety of term lengths up to 40 years
Cons
Application underwriting can take longer than average
Does not have the most competitive rates for older applicants
According to our analysis, Legal & General America, which also does business as Banner Life and William Penn, is the best option for people who have moderate, well-controlled sleep apnea. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may be required to take a medical exam, but you’ll still likely qualify for life insurance with a top-rated insurer.
Best for severe sleep apnea: Pacific Life
2024 Policygenius award winner
Pacific Life
4.8
All 50 states
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Pacific Life offers some of the lowest rates for term life insurance across age brackets. It also has the most competitive rates for many health conditions and builds.
Pros and cons
Pros
Extremely affordable across age brackets
Affordable guaranteed universal life insurance option for people who need lifetime coverage
Favorable underwriting for many health conditions
Cons
Traditional term life not available in NY
There are better carriers for active duty military, people who have a history of alcohol abuse, and people who have been through bankruptcy
If you’ve been diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, many insurers will refuse to offer you term life or whole life coverage. However, our analysis found that Pacific Life will not only be more likely to approve you, but it will also be likely to offer you lower rates than other insurers.
Cheapest life insurance for sleep apnea: Pacific Life
Our analysis found that Pacific Life offers some of the lowest rates for people who have sleep apnea. Also, if you’ve taken a sleep study and are compliant with the use of your CPAP machine, your chances of being approved for term or whole life insurance are higher with Pacific Life than with any other insurer, regardless of the severity of your condition or your height-to-weight ratio.
Comparing the best life insurance companies for people with sleep apnea
Insurer | Policygenius rating | Best for | AM Best rating | |
4.9/5 ★ | Moderate sleep apnea | A+ | ||
4.8/5 ★ | Severe sleep apnea, affordability | A+ | ||
4.6/5 ★ | Mild sleep apena | A |
Learn more about the best life insurance companies of 2024
How much does life insurance cost if you have sleep apnea?
A 30-year-old non-smoking female who has mild sleep apnea can expect to pay $23 per month for a 20-year term life insurance policy with a $500,000 payout. A 30-year-old male with a similar profile can expect to pay $29 per month for the same coverage.
A 30-year-old non-smoking female who has moderate sleep apnea can expect to pay $34 per month for a 20-year term life insurance policy with a $500,000 payout. A 30-year-old female with a similar profile can expect to pay $43 per month for the same coverage.
A 30-year-old non-smoking female who has severe sleep apnea can expect to pay $47 per month for a 20-year term life insurance policy with a $500,000 payout. A 30-year-old female with a similar profile can expect to pay $59 per month for the same coverage.
20-year term life insurance rates for people with sleep apnea
Age | Gender | $500,000 coverage amount, mild sleep apnea | $500,000 coverage amount, moderate sleep apnea | $500,000 coverage amount, severe sleep apnea |
20 | Female | $22.65 | $33.82 | $44.46 |
Male | $30.20 | $42.64 | $59.10 | |
30 | Female | $22.98 | $34.41 | $47.58 |
Male | $29.32 | $43.11 | $59.25 | |
40 | Female | $35.27 | $53.51 | $76.98 |
Male | $42.94 | $67.19 | $95.32 | |
50 | Female | $78.29 | $121.88 | $170.10 |
Male | $102.50 | $156.80 | $216.50 | |
60 | Female | $194.16 | $292.85 | $434.66 |
Male | $268.04 | $408.84 | $609.51 |
Methodology: Rates are calculated for male and female non-smokers in Preferred, Standard, and Substandard T2 health classifications, obtaining a 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy. Life insurance averages are based on a composite of policies offered by Policygenius from Brighthouse Financial, Corebridge Financial, Legal & General America, Lincoln Financial, Mutual of Omaha, Pacific Life, Protective, Prudential, Symetra, and Transamerica, and the Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. Rates may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 03/01/2024.
Can you lower your life insurance rates if your sleep apnea improves?
Yes, if your sleep apnea gets better, you have options to lower your rates. Some insurance companies allow you to apply for reconsideration one to two years following your original application if your health has improved in such a way that it could reduce the cost of your policy. Some companies, however, don’t guarantee reconsideration for health conditions.
If you can’t apply for reconsideration, you can apply for a new policy to see if the insurance company can approve you at a cheaper rate — and then simply cancel your previous policy if you get approved for the new coverage.
Can your life insurance policy be canceled if your sleep apnea gets worse?
No, once you’ve been approved for life insurance and your policy becomes active, any changes in your health condition — for example, if your sleep apnea worsens — won’t affect your existing policy.
However, if you were to cancel your policy and apply for a new one, you’d likely have to pay higher premiums if your sleep apnea has gotten worse.
What if you’re denied coverage due to your sleep apnea?
If your life insurance application is declined due to a medical condition such as sleep apnea, you still have options.
Revisit your treatment plan: You can work with your doctor to ensure you have a plan to improve or control your sleep apnea. Once your condition has been well under control for six months to a year, you can reapply.
Shop for guaranteed issue life insurance: Guaranteed issue life insurance is a type of final expense insurance that doesn’t expire and is aimed at covering end-of-life expenses, such as a funeral or medical bills. Guaranteed issue policies are more expensive than traditional life insurance and coverage amounts are much lower — up to $25,000 — but they don’t have medical requirements for approval. However, this type of policy is usually only available to people age 45 and up.
Consider group life insurance: Many employers and certain organizations offer group life insurance coverage for free or at a subsidized rate as part of a benefits package. Coverage amounts are usually lower than what you’d need to protect your loved ones, and you might not be able to keep your policy if you switch jobs, but approval is almost always guaranteed.
Other health concerns that can affect your life insurance
Certain pre-existing conditions and other health-related concerns can affect your life insurance options or costs. A Policygenius expert can help you find the right policy for your needs.
Mental health issues such as depression or anxiety
Frequently asked questions
Is sleep apnea considered a pre-existing condition for life insurance?
Any illness or medical diagnosis you received before you got life insurance coverage is considered a pre-existing condition — including sleep apnea.
Can you qualify for life insurance if you had sleep apnea in the past?
Yes, you can qualify for life insurance if you previously had a sleep apnea diagnosis. The insurance company may ask you to take a medical exam and request an attending physician statement (APS) to confirm that you underwent a successful treatment plan and no longer have sleep apnea.
Does sleep apnea disqualify you from life insurance?
Having sleep apnea won’t automatically disqualify you from buying life insurance. You may have to pay higher premiums than someone who doesn’t have sleep apnea, but if you’re treating your condition and otherwise showing improving health, you may’ll be able to lower your rates.
Do people with sleep apnea pay more for life insurance?
It depends on the severity of your condition, how well you’re managing it, and your overall health profile. If you have severe sleep apnea, an inconsistent treatment history, or contributing lifestyle risks (for example, if you, smoke cigarettes), you can expect to pay more for coverage than someone who has mild sleep apnea, doesn’t smoke, and follows their treatment consistently.
Do all life insurance companies treat sleep apnea the same way?
No, every insurance company treats sleep apnea differently. You may have a better chance of getting lower rates with some insurers, such as Pacific Life, Transamrica, or Legal & General America. The best company for you will depend on your age, gender, and overall health profile.
Do you need to tell life insurance companies about sleep apnea?
Yes, you should disclose any health conditions — including sleep apnea — to the life insurance company. Your application details will also be confirmed against your medical records before you’re approved for coverage.
