Can I get Life Insurance with a History of DVT or Pulmonary Embolism?

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Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) are serious conditions involving blood clots. Because clots can be life-threatening and sometimes recur, life insurance companies evaluate applicants with caution. The good news? Many people with a history of blood clots can still qualify for coverage — sometimes even at standard rates.

How Insurers View DVT and Pulmonary Embolism

Life insurance underwriters assess both short-term risks (chance of another clot soon) and long-term health risks. Their decision often depends on:

• Cause of the clot: Did it happen after surgery, injury, long travel, or was it unprovoked/spontaneous?
• Treatment: Use of anticoagulants (like warfarin, Eliquis, or Xarelto) and whether you’re still on them.
• Time since last clot: Longer clot-free periods are viewed favorably.
• Underlying conditions: Such as cancer, genetic clotting disorders, or overweight/obesity.
• Lifestyle factors: Smoking, diet, and exercise habits.

It’s worth noting that conditions tied to blood clot risk, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, may also be factored into underwriting decisions.

Common Outcomes in Life Insurance Applications

• Recent or multiple clots (within 1–2 years): Many insurers will postpone or decline until stability is shown.
• Single, provoked clot that resolved: Often qualifies at standard or slightly higher rates once treatment is complete.
• On anticoagulants but stable, with no recurrence: Frequently insurable, though usually with a substandard (rated) policy.
• Clotting tied to serious illness (such as active cancer): Applications are usually postponed until the condition improves.

Tips for Applying Successfully

• Prepare your medical history: Be ready to explain when clots occurred, the cause, treatment, and follow-up results.
• Show stability: Years without a recurrence is one of the strongest points in your favor.
• Highlight risk management: If you’ve made lifestyle changes like quitting smoking, losing weight, or improving diet, note that.
• Work with experts: Online brokers and call centers can compare multiple companies, some of which are more open to clot histories.
• Don’t give up after one decline: Each insurer has its own rules — one company’s decline doesn’t mean all will.

Bottom Line

A history of DVT or Pulmonary Embolism doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get life insurance. With the right carrier — and especially if your clot was provoked, resolved, and you’ve been stable for years — affordable coverage is possible.

👉 For a deeper dive into how health and lifestyle affect approvals, check out The Ultimate Guide to Life Insurance Approval.