Can you buy a life insurance policy on a prisoner?

by Chris Bantly » Tue Jul 14, 2009 04:54 pm

Now that I've made my title an alliteration, I can ask my question! Not that I want to make a niche of it, but I was asked a question by one of the agents yesterday and I had honestly never considered the following:

Are there any insurance companies that will allow a life insurance policy to be purchased on an incarcerated individual?

The scenario is two parents are attempting to get life insurance on their son (mid 30's) who also has a son that would need to be supported if something happened to him. I don't know what he did, nor do I know how long he will be in jail. I didn't see it as a problem, but apparently it is!

My thought is that they are in a relatively safe place, but I guess the insurance companies do not see it this way. Can anyone shed some light?

Total Comments: 62

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2011 04:51 pm Post Subject: Insurance issues for the incarcerated

Hi,
I'm a freelance writer in Chicago working on an article about whether an inmate can get life insurance while incarcerated, what happens when someone incarcerated is the beneficiary of a life insurance policy and can an inmate buy private health insurance while incarcerated. I'm looking for family members and insurance experts who would be willing to answer a few questions on the phone. Please leave a message and let me know the best way to contact you.

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 11:12 am Post Subject:

whether an inmate can get life insurance while incarcerated,


Highly unlikely. Too many risks while behind bars (or in the prison yard).

what happens when someone incarcerated is the beneficiary of a life insurance policy


Depending on the state (or federal government), a person in prison for certain felonies may be disqualified as a life insurance beneficiary. A disqualification can be connected to the length of the prison term. Certainly, if the beneficiary is incarcerated because he/she committed or caused the unlawful "homicidal" death of the insured (or had something to do with it, such as hiring the killer), all state laws require the disqualification of the beneficiary. If not otherwise disqualified, the proceeds would have to be held in some form of trust account until the individual was released from custody.

can an inmate buy private health insurance while incarcerated


For what purpose? The state (or federal government) is responsible for the "well-being" of its inmates. California, for example, spends more than $17,000 per year per inmate in its state prison healthcare system. Texas, on the other hand, provides the same sort of healthcare for less than $5,000 per inmate.

Additionally, health insurance policies do nor pay for care received in a "government-operated facility." State or federal prison fits that definition fairly well, as do VA and military hospitals or other government-run health care facilities. (County/city operated general hospitals, on the other hand are not included in that definition)

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 09:02 pm Post Subject: cremation

a relative has died in a florida prison and will be cremated do we (the family) have to pay for his remains

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 02:48 am Post Subject:

Why are you asking us? Ask the prison officials in Florida. This is not an insurance question.

Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:50 pm Post Subject: inurance

If an inmate has insurance prior to being incarcerated and is seen by a private provider while incarcerated can that provider bill insurance

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 09:49 pm Post Subject:

You must be asking about medical insurance, not life insurance. What type of health insurance is the question about?

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2015 05:34 pm Post Subject: prison inmate

My son is in prison. I just found out he has a bad heart.are there any way I can get enough insurance to bury him if he dies

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2015 01:35 pm Post Subject:

You may be able to obtain a "final expense" policy on his life. This generally is limited to about $25,000 to $50,000. The application will require his signature, and you may not be able to get the papers into the prison.

Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2016 06:02 pm Post Subject:

What I've just read was a bunch of the most stupidest answers I've ever heard in my life. Ignore people should never answer question if they don't know the answers.....for instance "Jail is not a safe place. People who are in jail typically don't graduate from jail and go to safe places and live a safe lifestyle. I don't know of any company that will insure somebody in jail." NOTE******EVERYONE IN JAIL IS NOT GUILTY AND ANYONE CAN CHANGE THEIR LIFE AROUND"

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