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Life insurance pays a death benefit to designated beneficiaries if the policyholder were to pass away while the policy is still active. A life insurance policy can be a valuable financial planning tool to provide your loved ones with support after you’re gone, but it’s important to note that there are some cases where a policy may not pay out. Life insurance exclusions are instances where beneficiaries may be prevented from receiving the death benefit. Here, we break down common life insurance exclusions that you should know.
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Life insurance policies pay out in most cases, but certain causes of death may result in a denied claim. These life insurance exclusions may vary between insurers and policies. Before you sign up for a life insurance policy, make sure you understand the exclusions so you're clear on how your policy works.
There are many potential life insurance exclusions, depending on the insurer, but these are some of the most common.2
Life insurance policies typically do not cover death related to military service. That means soldiers cannot take out life insurance policies and expect their families to receive a death benefit. That said, insured civilians killed by acts of war or terrorism may be covered.
Typically, if the insured takes their own life within a certain period of the policy being opened, the insurer will deny a claim.2 Beneficiaries will usually be refunded the premium payments, and death by suicide may be covered after an exclusionary period.
If the insured dies while participating in illegal activities, the claim will typically be denied.
Policies may exclude causes of death from dangerous activities like scuba diving, skydiving, or spelunking. If you enjoy high-risk hobbies, always read the terms and conditions of a life insurance policy before taking one out.
Insurers typically exclude claims if the beneficiary is suspected of involvement with the murder of the policyholder.
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Get StartedIf you already have a life insurance policy, you can find your exclusions in one of two ways:
Life insurance exclusions on their own typically do not have an impact on how much you'll pay for life insurance. However, it is possible that you have to pay higher premiums if you meet classifications for higher risk insureds.
While life insurance exclusions can seem problematic, the good news is that the vast majority of causes of death are still covered by life insurance.3 If you do enjoy high-risk activities or have a high-risk job, it's especially important to take the time to talk through the specifics of a life insurance policy before signing. At Aflac, our whole, term, and final expense life insurance policies have exclusions, but we can help you find a plan that's right for you. Speak with an agent today to learn more and get a life insurance policy quote.
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Review all the major differences between term and whole life insurance, including costs, coverage, pros & cons.
You can still qualify for life insurance if you’re a high-risk applicant. Discover what makes an applicant considered high-risk and what policies Aflac offers.
Review all the major differences between term and whole life insurance, including costs, coverage, pros & cons.
You can still qualify for life insurance if you’re a high-risk applicant. Discover what makes an applicant considered high-risk and what policies Aflac offers.
1 Bankrate – What are life insurance exclusions? Updated October 8, 2024. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/life-insurance/exclusions/.
2 U.S. News & World Report – Life Insurance Exclusions. Updated August 6, 2025. Accessed June 19, 2025. https://www.usnews.com/insurance/life-insurance/what-are-life-insurance-exclusions.
3 Policygenius - What kinds of deaths are not covered by life insurance? Updated August 10, 2023. Accessed June 23, 2025. https://www.policygenius.com/life-insurance/reasons-life-insurance-wont-pay-out/.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Aflac life plans – A68000 series: Term Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68200, A68300 & A68400. In New York, Policies NY68200, NY68300 and NY68400. Whole Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100. In Delaware, Policy A68100. In New York, Policy NYR68100. B61000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B61JWO & ICC18B61JTO. In Delaware, Policies B61JWO, B61JTO. Not available in New York. B60000 series: In Arkansas, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Not available in Delaware. Q60000 series/Whole: In Arkansas & Delaware, Policy Q60100M. In Idaho, Policy Q60100MID. In Oklahoma, Policy Q60100MOK. Not available in Virginia. Q60000 series/Term: In Delaware, Policy Q60200M. In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Policies ICC18Q60200C, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C. Not available in Virginia.
Aflac Final Expense insurance coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated and is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
In AR, DE, ID, OK and VA: Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22. Aflac Final Expense policies are not available in New York.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY, VA or VT. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.
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Aflac New York | Albany, NY 12211
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