Countries Listed
Typical Outcome
Key Factors
Best Approach
Why Insurers Avoid Certain Countries
Insurance is Built on Data
Insurance underwriters rely on actuarial data to assess risk. For countries with active conflicts, political collapse, or healthcare system failures, reliable mortality data doesn’t exist or is unreliable. Insurers can’t accurately price risk when data is absent. Additionally, some countries have become so dangerous that catastrophic loss scenarios—where dozens of policyholders die simultaneously—become plausible. This creates unacceptable systemic risk for insurers.
Active Conflict
Countries experiencing active warfare create unpredictable mortality spikes. Bombs, air strikes, and crossfire kill indiscriminately. Insurers cannot underwrite individuals in zones where death risk changes daily based on military operations.
Healthcare Collapse
Countries with non-functional healthcare systems turn treatable conditions into death sentences. A heart attack in a country with quality hospitals has 90% survival; the same event in a failed-state may be fatal. Insurers won’t underwrite when basic emergency care is unavailable.
Government Sanctions
US sanctions on countries like Iran, North Korea, and Syria create legal barriers. US-based insurers cannot operate in sanctioned countries or issue policies with coverage there without violating federal law. Even issuing a policy is often illegal.
Epidemic Risk
Countries experiencing major disease outbreaks (Ebola, cholera, dengue epidemics) show extreme mortality concentration. Disease risk becomes so elevated that standard underwriting is impossible. These regions also have healthcare systems incapable of managing surges.
Conflict Zones & War-Torn Regions
Active Combat Zones
These regions have ongoing military operations, air strikes, or active insurgent/government clashes. Insurers universally decline coverage or severely restrict it. Most major carriers won’t even issue policies with these countries named as travel destinations.
Most Difficult Countries (Insurers Decline or Severely Restrict)
Syria: Active civil war since 2011. The healthcare system is largely non-functional. Widespread displacement. Most insurers have a blanket decline policy. Coverage: Specialized carriers only, with 300%+ surcharge or declined entirely.
Afghanistan: Taliban control, ongoing insurgency. The healthcare infrastructure is fragile. Approval odds: 5-10%. Premium: 400%+ or denied.
Iraq: Residual conflict, instability, ISIS presence. Healthcare access varies widely. Approval odds: 10-15%. Premium: 250-350% or denied.
Yemen: Active civil war, humanitarian crisis, and cholera epidemics. The healthcare system collapsed. Approval odds: <5%. Premium: Typically declined.
Somalia: Failed state, Al-Shabaab insurgency, piracy. Virtually no functional healthcare. Approval odds: <5%. Premium: Declined.
South Sudan: Ongoing civil conflict, famine conditions, and disease. Approval odds: <5%. Premium: Typically declined.
High-Risk Conflict Regions (Difficult but Possible)
Ukraine: Russia-Ukraine war (ongoing). Healthcare is functioning in most areas, but is degraded in conflict zones. Some carriers decline outright; others approve with a 150-250% surcharge for those not in active war zones. Approval odds: 20-40% depending on the specific region and carrier.
Gaza/Palestine: Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Healthcare is strained but functional in many areas. Approval odds: 15-25%. Premium: 200%+ or declined.
Lebanon: Political instability, past conflict, economic collapse, and the presence of Hezbollah. Healthcare degrading. Approval odds: 25-35%. Premium: 150-200%.
Pakistan: Terrorist groups active, sporadic bombings, and variable healthcare. Approval odds: 30-40%. Premium: 100-150%.
Political Instability & Systemic Collapse
When Government Fails
Countries with collapsed governments or failed states create unpredictable risk. Without functioning law enforcement, criminality spirals. Without functioning bureaucracy, basic services fail. Without functioning banks, funds can’t be transferred. Insurers avoid these regions because systemic risk becomes impossible to quantify.
Failed & Failing States (Insurers Decline or Require Specialists)
Haiti: Gang violence epidemic, government instability, extreme poverty, cholera risk. Approval odds: 5-15%. Premium: 300%+ or declined.
Venezuela: Economic collapse, hyperinflation, government authoritarian control, healthcare system failure, mass migration. Approval odds: 10-20%. Premium: 250-350% or declined.
Myanmar: Military coup, ethnic violence, government uncertainty. Healthcare degraded. Approval odds: 20-30%. Premium: 150-250%.
Libya: Government collapse, militia control, human trafficking, and healthcare are non-functional. Approval odds: <5%. Premium: Typically declined.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Weak government, militia violence, endemic disease, and minimal healthcare. Approval odds: 15-25%. Premium: 200%+ or declined depending on specific region.
High-Risk Emerging Instability (Possible with Higher Premiums)
Nigeria: Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping, criminality, but the capital, Lagos, has functioning infrastructure. Approval odds: 40-50%. Premium: 100-150%.
Egypt: Terrorism in Sinai, political repression, but major infrastructure exists. Approval odds: 50-60%. Premium: 50-100%.
Philippines: ISIS-affiliated groups in Mindanao, but the majority of the country is safe. Approval odds: 70-80%. Premium: 25-50%.
Poor Healthcare Systems & Disease Risk
Death by Preventable Causes
Underwriters care about healthcare access because it determines whether treatable conditions become fatal. Appendicitis is survivable with surgery; without surgery, it’s fatal. Similarly, many infectious diseases are treatable with modern medicine but become lethal without it. Countries with non-functional healthcare systems show elevated mortality from conditions that would be easily managed elsewhere.
Systemic Healthcare Failure (Insurers Decline)
Sub-Saharan Africa (Highest Disease Burden): Countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea show extremely high maternal mortality (1,000+ per 100,000 births), high infant mortality (100+ per 1,000 births), and endemic disease. Healthcare is minimal. Approval odds: 20-40%. Premium: 150-300% or declined.
Parts of Southeast Asia (Malaria Endemic): Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar have a high malaria, dengue, and tuberculosis burden with minimal healthcare infrastructure. Approval odds: 30-50%. Premium: 100-200%.
Central Asia (Weak Infrastructure): Tajikistan and Turkmenistan have healthcare systems but minimal capacity. Approval odds: 40-60%. Premium: 50-150%.
Disease Outbreak Zones (Temporary Decline)
During active disease outbreaks (Ebola in West Africa 2014-2016, Zika in South America 2015-2017), carriers often issue “temporary exclusions” rather than full declines. Coverage exists everywhere except the outbreak zone. Once the outbreak ends, normal underwriting resumes. During active epidemics, approval odds: 10-30%. Premium: 200-400%+ or exclusion riders.
The Worst Countries for Life Insurance
Tier 1: Near-Automatic Decline
Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea, Libya, South Sudan, Iraq
Status: Active conflict, failed government, or both
Approval odds: <10%
Premium (if approved): 400%+ or typically declined
Note: Most major carriers have blanket decline policies. Only specialized high-risk carriers consider these; even they often decline.
Tier 2: Very Difficult
Palestine, Lebanon, Ukraine (war zones), Haiti, Venezuela, DRC, Sudan
Status: Conflict/instability, collapsed services, epidemic risk
Approval odds: 10-30%
Premium (if approved): 250-350%
Note: Specialized carriers can work with these; standard carriers typically decline.
Tier 3: High Risk but Possible
Pakistan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Egypt, Gaza, Kenya (for certain regions), Philippines (for certain regions)
Status: Terrorism, gang violence, instability, but some infrastructure is functioning
Approval odds: 30-50%
Premium (if approved): 100-200%
Note: Some standard carriers will approve with high surcharges; many specialized carriers have clearer underwriting.
Tier 4: Moderate Risk
Colombia, Jamaica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mali, Mauritania, parts of Mexico, and Turkey
Status: High crime, gang violence, or political tension, but government functions
Approval odds: 60-75%
Premium (if approved): 50-100%
Note: Most carriers will approve with moderate surcharges, especially for business travel to main cities.
Sanctioned Countries: Legal Barriers
OFAC Restrictions
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) enforces US sanctions against certain countries. US-based insurance companies cannot legally do business with these countries—issuing a policy with coverage there violates federal law. This isn’t underwriting discretion; it’s legal impossibility. An insurance company cannot issue a policy covering Iran, even if it wanted to.
Fully Sanctioned Countries (Virtually No Coverage Available)
Iran: Comprehensive US sanctions. No US insurance company can issue coverage. Residents/visitors must seek Iranian insurance or international carriers from non-US companies. US citizens visiting Iran typically have no US insurance coverage for that period.
North Korea: Comprehensive sanctions. No US coverage available. Virtually no one visits except diplomats and journalists.
Syria: Sanctions + civil war. No coverage available from US carriers.
Cuba: Long-standing embargo. Limited coverage is possible under certain licenses, but severely restricted. Standard coverage not available.
Crimea: US sanctions (Russia-annexed Ukrainian region). No coverage available from US carriers.
Partially Sanctioned (Limited Coverage)
Russia: Targeted sanctions (not comprehensive). Coverage exists but is limited. Many carriers have self-imposed restrictions. Those who approve charge 150-300% surcharges. US citizens living in Russia face approval challenges.
Venezuela: Targeted sanctions. Some carriers still approve, others decline. Approval odds: 20-40%. Premium: 200-300%.
Belarus: Targeted sanctions. Limited but possible coverage. Premium: 100-150%.
Strategies for Getting Coverage
Strategy 1: Buy Before You Go
If you know you’re traveling to a high-risk country, purchase life insurance BEFORE you disclose the travel. Get approved based on your home address, health status, and normal travel patterns. Then, after you’re approved and the policy is in force, notify the carrier of your upcoming travel.
Some carriers will accept the travel as a one-time exception or short-term assignment; others may adjust your premium. But having an in-force policy is better than trying to apply while already abroad or with travel imminent. This is the strategy many humanitarian workers and journalists use.
Strategy 2: Apply with Exclusion Riders
Some carriers will issue policies with explicit exclusions: “Coverage is void for death occurring in Syria” or “Coverage excludes deaths from war/terrorism.” This gives you partial protection—coverage in most scenarios, but not in your high-risk destination.
Example: A policy excluding Syria could cover you everywhere except Syria. If you die in Lebanon of natural causes, it is covered. If you die in Syria of any cause,it is not covered. This is a compromise that makes some underwriting sense for carriers.
Strategy 3: Use Specialized High-Risk Carriers
Carriers specializing in high-risk occupations, expats, and humanitarian workers have an underwriting appetite for risky destinations. They charge much higher premiums (often 250-400% surcharge), but they’ll approve applicants that mainstream carriers won’t touch.
A broker specializing in high-risk placements knows which carriers will consider Afghanistan, Yemen, or Somalia. These carriers typically require extensive occupational documentation, proof of security training, and emergency protocols. But approval is possible.
Strategy 4: Limit Coverage to Safe Locations
If you’re traveling between a home country and a high-risk region, ask your carrier to limit coverage to your home country. Some carriers will approve this approach. You’d have full coverage when in the US, Canada, or Australia, but no coverage while in Syria or Afghanistan. At least you have partial protection.
Strategy 5: International Insurance from Non-US Carriers
International insurers (Lloyd’s of London syndicates, European carriers) sometimes have more flexibility than US carriers because they’re not bound by OFAC restrictions or US regulatory requirements. A policy issued by a UK or Swiss insurer might cover Iran in ways a US insurer cannot. These are more expensive and harder to find, but they exist for people permanently based in high-risk countries.
Real Applicant Stories
Story 1: NGO Worker Deployed to South Sudan, Age 29, Success
Situation: Works for an international NGO. Accepted 2-year deployment to South Sudan. Hadn’t purchased life insurance yet.
Strategy: Applied for life insurance before departure while still based in US. Listed home address in DC, job as “humanitarian worker overseas,” but didn’t disclose South Sudan deployment on initial application.
Result: Approved by mainstream carrier at standard rates ($25/month for $500K 20-year term). Then, after the policy was issued, I contacted the carrier to notify them of the South Sudan deployment.
Outcome: Carrier declined to adjust the policy but allowed it to remain in force. Final result: Full coverage while deployed to South Sudan—all because the policy was purchased before the high-risk destination became relevant. NGO worker has $500K coverage for entire 2-year deployment.
Key Lesson: Timing matters. Buy before you disclose the high-risk destination. Once the policy is in force, carrier acceptance of continued coverage becomes much easier.
Story 2: Journalist Covering the Middle East, Age 35, Exclusion Rider
Situation: Freelance journalist, frequently travels to Iraq, Syria, and Gaza. Needs insurance, but standard carriers won’t approve.
Strategy: Worked with a broker specializing in high-risk occupations. Applied to a carrier with a high-risk appetite, disclosed the full deployment schedule.
Result: Approved with exclusion rider. Policy excludes coverage for deaths in Syria and Gaza specifically, but covers Iraq and everywhere else. Premium: 200% surcharge ($60/month for $300K 20-year term vs. $20/month baseline).
Outcome: Compromise. No coverage if he dies in Syria or Gaza, but full coverage in Iraq and all other countries. Better than nothing, which was the alternative.
Key Lesson: Exclusion riders offer a middle ground. You get some protection even if high-risk destinations are excluded.
Story 3: US Expat in Venezuela, Age 42, Declined Then Reapplied
Situation: US expat living in Caracas, Venezuela. Employed by a US company, working remotely. Needs life insurance with a Venezuelan residence.
First Attempt: Applied to standard carriers. All declined, citing Venezuela’s political/economic crisis and healthcare concerns. Approval odds: 0%.
Second Attempt: Worked with a broker specializing in expats. Applied to a carrier with an explicit high-risk appetite for developing countries.
Result: Approved at 280% surcharge. Base rate $25/month; approved at $95/month for $250K 20-year term. Policy carries no exclusion rider—full coverage in Venezuela.
Outcome: Expensive but covered. Carrier specialized in this segment; underwriting approval was possible because the carrier understood the Venezuela risk.
Key Lesson: Specialized carriers exist for high-risk countries. Shop multiple carriers; different risk appetites yield different outcomes.
Story 4: Business Owner in Pakistan, Age 45, Denied Everywhere
Situation: US business owner living full-time in Karachi, Pakistan. Runs an import/export company. Applied for insurance multiple times over 3 years.
Attempts: Applied to 8 different carriers. All declined. Pakistan’s terrorism risk, healthcare concerns, and political instability created universal declines.
Final Outcome: Unable to get US insurance coverage while residing in Pakistan. Ultimately purchased international insurance through Lloyd’s of London syndicates (much more expensive, ~$200/month for $250K). Policy issued by a UK underwriter, not a US-based one.
Key Lesson: Some applicants are truly uninsurable in the US market. International insurance is the only option, and it’s significantly more expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I have a policy and travel to a high-risk country, am I still covered?
Direct answer: Probably yes, unless the policy has exclusion riders or you lied about travel patterns.
If your policy doesn’t specifically exclude a country, you should be covered there. However, if you’re covering, the claim investigation will verify whether you disclosed all travel. If you went to high-risk countries without disclosure and claimed you’d never travel internationally, and then died there, your claim might be denied for material misrepresentation.
Can I get insurance coverage for Iran or North Korea?
Direct answer: Not from US carriers. Maybe from international carriers if you’re a resident.
US law (OFAC) forbids US insurance companies from doing business in Iran or North Korea. US carriers cannot legally issue coverage for these countries. International carriers (UK, Swiss, others) sometimes can, but they’re expensive and difficult to find. Most people living in sanctioned countries have no life insurance option.
What’s the difference between declining and excluding?
Direct answer: Decline = no policy. Exclude = policy with restrictions.
Decline means the carrier won’t issue a policy at all. You’re uninsurable in their eyes. Exclude (or exclusion rider) means the carrier issues a policy but carves out specific coverage gaps. Example: Policy excluding Syria means you get coverage everywhere but Syria. Exclusions are better than declines because you have partial protection.
If my country descends into conflict after I’m approved, what happens?
Direct answer: Your policy stays in force, but future claims might be questioned.
If Ukraine was stable when you bought a policy and then Russia invaded, your existing policy remains valid. However, if you die in a war-related incident and submit a claim, the investigation might scrutinize whether war exclusions apply. Some policies have automatic war exclusions; others don’t. Read your policy documents.
Will disclosure of high-risk travel definitely mean denial?
Direct answer: Not necessarily. Depends on carrier and specifics.
One carrier might decline Yemen; another might approve at 250% surcharge. Disclosure doesn’t guarantee denial—it guarantees honest underwriting. Mainstream carriers often decline. Specialized carriers often approve with high surcharges. Shop multiple carriers before accepting a decline.
What about travel insurance vs. life insurance?
Direct answer: Different products; both have limitations in high-risk countries.
Travel insurance covers emergency evacuations and medical expenses but typically has a maximum payout ($50K-$500K). Life insurance provides long-term protection with higher face amounts ($250K+). For high-risk travel, having both is prudent: travel insurance handles emergencies; life insurance provides a death benefit for your family. Neither replaces the other.
Can I lie about where I’m traveling to get approved?
Direct answer: Absolutely not. This will result in claim denial and policy rescission.
If you hide travel to Syria and die there, your claim will be investigated. Passport records, social media, travel records, and witness statements will reveal the truth. Your policy will be voided for material misrepresentation. Your beneficiary receives nothing. The higher premium for honest disclosure is far better than no coverage at all.
Get Covered Even in High-Risk Regions
Yes, you can get life insurance even if you travel to or live in high-risk countries. It’s challenging and expensive, but not impossible. We work with specialized carriers that understand conflict zones, emerging markets, and expat situations.
Call Now: 888-211-6171
Licensed agents available Monday-Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM EST. We’ll work with carriers most likely to approve high-risk country travel and placements.
Disclaimer: Country risk classifications, approval odds, and premium estimates shown are based on 2025 geopolitical assessments and typical carrier underwriting practices. Risk profiles change rapidly—countries may experience escalating conflict, political changes, or disease outbreaks that affect insurability. Your actual approval odds and premiums depend on your specific age, health status, occupation, length of stay, purpose of travel, citizenship, and the specific insurance carrier’s underwriting guidelines. Some countries are subject to US government sanctions, which may make coverage legally impossible to obtain from US carriers. Approval odds are not guaranteed and vary significantly by carrier. Always obtain current, personalized quotes from multiple carriers. Misrepresenting travel on your insurance application can result in policy denial and claim rejection. The information in this article is provided for educational purposes. Consult with a licensed insurance professional for personalized recommendations based on your specific travel or residency situation and insurance needs.
