Life Insurance for High-Risk Occupations: What You Need to Know

Not all jobs are created equal when it comes to life insurance. If you work in a high-risk occupation, getting the right policy is not just a good idea — it’s essential. Whether you’re climbing communication towers, fighting fires, or transporting hazardous materials, your job comes with real risks — and insurers know it.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting life insurance when your work is anything but ordinary.

What Counts as a High-Risk Occupation?

Insurers define high-risk jobs as those with increased chances of injury or death compared to the average profession. These typically include:

• Firefighters

• Police officers

• Construction workers

• Roofers

• Pilots

• Truck drivers (especially long-haul or hazardous materials)

• Oil rig workers

• Loggers and miners

• Military personnel

• Commercial fishermen

Even some jobs that seem routine can be considered high-risk depending on duties, tools, or location.

How Risk Affects Premiums

The higher the risk, the higher the premium — that’s the reality. Insurers evaluate your job just like they evaluate your health or age. If they determine that your profession significantly increases the likelihood of a claim, they may:

• Charge more for the same coverage

• Offer limited policy options

• Exclude certain activities

• Require more documentation

But that doesn’t mean you’re uninsurable. Far from it. You just need the right agency that knows how to navigate these risks on your behalf.

What to Prepare Before You Apply

To get the best rates and avoid delays, be ready to provide:

• A detailed job description

• Safety certifications or training records

• Clarification on how often you’re exposed to danger

• Employer information and work location

• Medical records if required

The more clearly you show that you follow safety protocols and have a clean work history, the more likely you are to get better offers.

Term vs. Whole Life for Risky Jobs

Depending on your needs and budget, both term life and whole life insurance can work — but each comes with trade-offs:

Pro tip: Some high-risk workers get both — term for high coverage during working years, and whole life for long-term protection and savings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Hiding the nature of your work
   Insurers will find out. It’s better to be transparent from the start.

2. Skipping the medical exam
   Even if you’re offered no-exam coverage, taking the exam often results in lower premiums.

3. Waiting too long
   The older you get, the harder and more expensive it gets — especially in high-risk fields.

How We Help High-Risk Workers Get Covered

At Toby Hansen Agency, we specialize in finding affordable life insurance for high-risk professions. We work with nearly 100 carriers — including those that don’t penalize you for your job as harshly as others do.

With over 30 years of experience, we know how to present your application in a way that gets you the lowest rates with the most coverage, even if other agencies turned you down.

Life Is Risky Enough — Insurance Doesn’t Have to Be

You’ve chosen a career that takes courage. Let us take care of the protection part.

Fill out the form below for an instant life insurance quote

We’ll help you get covered — no matter what job you do.