Impaired Risk Life Insurance in Idaho (Substandard Health Cases)

This is where I’m different from a lot of agents. If you’ve been told you’re “too high-risk” or you’ve already been denied, you are exactly the kind of client I specialize in helping.

I’m Chris Antrim, an independent life insurance agent in Boise with a strong background in impaired-risk (substandard) life insurance underwriting. That’s a technical way of saying: I work everyday with people whose health is not perfect on paper – and we still find coverage.

Get My Personalized Quote

What Is “Impaired Risk” Life Insurance?

“Impaired risk” or “substandard” life insurance simply means:

You have health conditions, history, or lifestyle factors that put you outside the “preferred” or standard boxes most companies like.
You may be charged higher rates or require extra underwriting.
Some companies may decline you entirely, while others are willing to take the risk.

The key is knowing which companies to approach and how to structure the application.

Health Situations I Commonly Work With

I regularly help Idaho clients who have:

High blood pressure / hypertension
Type 2 diabetes (with or without insulin)
Past heart attack, stents, or bypass surgery
A history of cancer (in remission)
High BMI / weight concerns
Sleep apnea
COPD and lung issues
Multiple medications
Tobacco use (including vaping, cigars, chew)

I also talk with many people who’ve been:

Declined once or multiple times
Offered coverage at a very high rate class
Told by captive agents “we can’t help you”

My Approach to Impaired Risk Cases

This is not a “run a quick online quote” situation. Here’s how I handle impaired-risk life insurance:

We talk in detail about your health

Diagnoses, medications, dates of major events, surgeries, hospitalizations, labs if you have them.

I match your profile to carrier “sweet spots”

Some carriers are more flexible with diabetes. Others with heart issues. Others with build. My job is to know where to start.

We choose the right type of policy

That might be fully underwritten term, simplified issue, final expense, or guaranteed issue, depending on your situation.

We set realistic expectations

I’ll tell you honestly what looks possible – including price ranges and coverage amounts.

We apply strategically

We don’t shotgun applications everywhere. We pick the most promising path and proceed.

Types of Policies for Impaired Risk Clients

Depending on your health, we may look at:

Traditional Term or Whole Life
If your conditions are well-managed and meet underwriting guidelines.

Simplified Issue Policies
No exam, health questions only, smaller death benefits – often good for moderate risk.

Final Expense Whole Life
Permanent coverage in smaller amounts, often used for seniors or higher-risk profiles.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
Last-resort option for serious conditions or multiple prior declines.

The goal is to get you some level of coverage, even if it doesn’t look like a glossy brochure.

What If You’ve Been Declined Before?

If you’ve already applied and been turned down:

I’ll ask about which company you applied with and why they declined.
We’ll review your current health and any changes since that application.
I’ll identify other carriers that may view your situation differently.
If traditional coverage truly isn’t possible, we’ll look at final expense or guaranteed issue options.

Being declined once is not the end of the road. It just means we have to be smarter about the next step.

Cost & Coverage Expectations for Impaired Risk

I won’t sugarcoat it:

Your premiums will likely be higher than someone your age in perfect health.
You may not qualify for the same large amounts you see in ads.
We may need to layer policies (e.g., one term policy + one final expense policy).

But even a modest policy can:

Pay for final expenses
Lighten the load on your family
Cover specific debts or obligations

Something is always better than leaving your family with nothing.

Why Work with a Local Impaired-Risk Specialist?

A lot of agents only like “easy approvals.” I don’t. If you’re in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Eagle, Kuna, or anywhere in Idaho and you’ve got a complicated health story, you’ll benefit from someone who: