Can I get life insurance if I drink alcohol?

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The Good News

If you drink alcohol in moderation, life insurance companies usually have no issue approving your application. In fact, most people who enjoy alcohol socially qualify for affordable coverage — often at standard or even preferred rates.

What Insurers Look At

1. How Much You Drink
   
   • Occasional or moderate drinking is rarely a concern.
   • Heavy drinking or binge drinking raises red flags.
2. How Often You Drink
   
   • A glass of wine with dinner or weekend drinks with friends isn’t a problem.
   • Daily heavy use or dependence may result in higher rates.
3. Alcohol-Related Health Concerns
   
   • Insurers check for issues like liver disease, high blood pressure, or other complications.
   • If alcohol has already caused health problems, that will affect approval more than the alcohol use itself.
4. Legal or Lifestyle History
   
   • Past DUIs or alcohol-related arrests can raise concerns.
   • Insurers may postpone or rate applicants if issues are recent.

Moderation vs. Abuse

There’s a big difference between moderate drinking and alcohol abuse. For a deeper look at how insurers view problem drinking, see Life Insurance with Alcohol Abuse.

If you drink moderately, insurers treat alcohol use much like marijuana or smoking: it’s more about the pattern of use and its impact on your health than the fact that you drink.

Why This Matters

Most people fear that being upfront about alcohol use will automatically lead to higher premiums. That’s not true. Honesty and moderation are key. Underwriters see occasional or moderate drinking as a normal part of life.

For a broader breakdown of how lifestyle and medical history affect your chances, see The Ultimate Guide to Life Insurance Approval.

Bottom Line

Drinking alcohol in moderation will not prevent you from getting life insurance. Most applicants are approved, and many qualify at affordable rates.