Life insurance for hazardous occupations
If your job involves working at height, in confined spaces, with explosives, offshore, or in other high-risk environments, your occupation will affect your life insurance. But it does not mean you cannot get cover. Different insurers assess occupations very differently - some exclude, some load, some cover at standard rates. Knowing which insurer to approach is everything.
The short answer
Most hazardous occupations can get life insurance. The key risk factors insurers assess are height (above 10 metres is a common threshold), use of explosives, work in confined spaces, offshore locations, and heavy manual labour. Different insurers have completely different occupation lists - one may decline a roofer while another offers standard rates. A specialist broker who knows which insurer is best for your specific job is essential.
How insurers assess occupational risk
Insurers categorise occupations into risk classes based on specific hazard factors. Understanding what triggers a loading or exclusion helps you answer application questions accurately and set expectations.
Working at height
Height is the most common occupational risk factor. The key threshold for most insurers is 10 metres (approximately 3 storeys). Working below 10 metres is often accepted at standard rates. Working above 10 metres triggers a loading or, with some insurers, a decline. Above 40 metres (steeplejacks, crane operators) significantly narrows options.
Use of explosives or hazardous materials
Occupations involving explosives (demolition, mining, quarrying) or hazardous chemicals attract significant loadings. The regularity of exposure matters - occasional vs daily use.
Confined spaces
Working in confined spaces (mines, tunnels, underground) is assessed as a higher risk due to the additional dangers of collapse, gas accumulation, and restricted rescue access.
Offshore or remote locations
Offshore work (oil rigs, wind farms, shipping) carries additional risk from remote locations, helicopter transport, and the working environment itself. Time spent offshore per year is a key question.
Heavy manual labour and machinery
Occupations involving heavy machinery (farming, forestry, construction) carry injury risk that affects income protection and critical illness cover more than life insurance. The specific machinery used matters.
Combat or deployment zones
Military personnel are assessed on deployment status. Non-deployed UK-based military can often get standard rates. Personnel deployed to active conflict zones face significant loadings or exclusions.
Common hazardous occupations and typical insurance impact
This table shows the typical range of outcomes across UK insurers. Because different insurers have different occupation lists, the outcome for any given occupation varies significantly depending on which insurer you approach.
| Occupation | Key risk factor | Typical impact on life insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Roofer | Height (above 10m) | Minor to moderate loading; some insurers standard |
| Scaffolder | Height, manual labour | Minor to moderate loading |
| Offshore Worker (oil/gas) | Remote location, helicopter travel | Moderate loading; varies by time offshore |
| Military (non-deployed) | Training risks | Standard to minor loading |
| Military (deployed) | Active conflict zone | Significant loading, exclusion, or decline |
| Miner (underground) | Confined spaces, dust exposure | Moderate to significant loading |
| Demolition Worker | Explosives, debris, height | Moderate to significant loading |
| Tree Surgeon | Height, chainsaws | Minor to moderate loading |
| Steeplejack | Extreme height (40m+) | Significant loading; limited insurer options |
| Deep Sea Diver | Depth, decompression | Moderate to significant loading depending on depth |
| Electrician (high voltage) | Electrocution risk | Minor to moderate loading |
| Farmer | Heavy machinery, livestock | Standard to minor loading |
| HGV Driver | Road risk, long hours | Standard to minor loading |
| Pilot (commercial airline) | Aviation | Usually standard rates |
| Pilot (private/instructor) | Light aviation, training | Minor to moderate loading |
| Window Cleaner (above 10m) | Height | Minor to moderate loading |
These are typical ranges. Individual insurer outcomes vary significantly. A broker can identify the best insurer for your specific occupation and circumstances.
Tell us your exact job title
Occupation underwriting depends on the precise details of what you do. A 2-minute call lets our specialist brokers match you with the right insurer.
Get QuoteRoofers
Roofing is one of the most common hazardous occupations our partner brokers deal with. The primary risk factor is working at height, specifically above 10 metres. Residential roofers working on standard houses (typically below 10m) are viewed more favourably than commercial roofers working on multi-storey buildings or industrial units.
Insurers also consider whether you work on flat roofs or pitched roofs (pitched is viewed as higher risk), whether you use scaffolding and safety harnesses, and whether you are employed or self-employed. Several insurers will offer roofers standard or near-standard life insurance rates, particularly if the height is below 10 metres.
Scaffolders
Scaffolders face similar height-related underwriting to roofers. The maximum height you work at is the key question. Scaffolders who erect and dismantle scaffolding are viewed slightly differently from those who only work on scaffolding once it is erected. The physical demands of the role (heavy lifting, balance, exposure to weather) are also factored in.
Life insurance is available from multiple insurers. Income protection and critical illness cover may be harder to obtain or more heavily loaded, as the injury risk affects these products more directly.
Offshore workers
Offshore workers on oil and gas platforms, wind farms, or similar installations face a unique combination of risk factors: remote location, helicopter transport, exposure to the elements, and often physically demanding work in a hazardous environment.
Insurers typically ask how many days per year you spend offshore. Someone who is offshore for 4-6 weeks per year is viewed differently from someone who is on a 2-weeks-on, 2-weeks-off rotation. Your specific role offshore also matters - an office- based role on a platform carries less risk than a roustabout or derrickhand.
Life insurance is available for offshore workers from several UK insurers. Premiums are typically loaded by 50-100% depending on the role and time offshore. Some specialist insurers have specific offshore occupation categories with more refined pricing.
Military personnel
Military underwriting depends almost entirely on deployment status. The distinction between non-deployed and deployed personnel is the biggest single factor.
Non-deployed (UK-based): Military personnel based in the UK with no current deployment orders can often get life insurance at standard or near-standard rates. Some insurers apply a minor loading, but many will cover you at the same rates as a civilian, particularly if your role is administrative, technical, or training-based.
Deployed to conflict zones: Personnel deployed to or under orders for active conflict zones face significant loadings, a war exclusion clause, or outright decline from most civilian insurers. The MOD provides a Death in Service benefit and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme provides cover for service-related death. However, these may not provide sufficient cover for your family's needs, and supplementing with civilian insurance (if available) is worth exploring.
Reservists: Reservists who are not mobilised are generally assessed on their civilian occupation. If mobilised, the military deployment assessment applies.
Military or offshore? Our brokers know the specialist insurers
These occupations need insurer selection from someone who understands the market. One call with our partner brokers gets you the right terms.
Get QuoteMiners
Underground mining carries significant underwriting risk due to confined spaces, dust exposure (coal dust, silica), explosion risk, and physically demanding conditions. Surface mining and quarrying are viewed less severely but still attract loadings from most insurers.
If you are a former miner, your current health is what matters most. A history of mining with no respiratory conditions is viewed much more favourably than a miner with pneumoconiosis or silicosis.
Demolition workers
Demolition work combines multiple risk factors: working at height, use of explosives (for some roles), heavy machinery, falling debris, and exposure to hazardous materials (asbestos in older buildings). Insurers assess your specific role within demolition - a site manager is viewed differently from someone operating wrecking equipment or handling explosives.
Cover is available but typically with a moderate to significant loading. Specialist insurers are often needed for those in the most hands-on roles.
Tree surgeons
Tree surgery (arboriculture) involves working at height with chainsaws and heavy branches. The maximum height you work at, the equipment you use, and whether you do your own climbing are the key factors. Ground-based tree work (e.g. stump grinding) is viewed much more favourably than canopy work at 20+ metres.
Several insurers will cover tree surgeons at standard or near-standard rates for life insurance. Income protection may carry a higher loading or an exclusion for height-related injuries.
Steeplejacks
Steeplejacks work at extreme heights - often 40 metres and above - on chimneys, church steeples, towers, and similar structures. This is one of the most restricted occupations for life insurance. Many mainstream insurers will decline steeplejacks outright.
Cover is available through specialist insurers, typically with significant loadings. The exact height you work at, the frequency, and your safety record all factor in. A specialist broker is essential for this occupation.
Deep sea divers
Commercial diving (as opposed to recreational scuba) is assessed based on the depths involved, the type of diving (surface-supplied vs saturation diving), the environment (offshore, inland, nuclear), and the frequency. Saturation divers working at depth on offshore installations face the highest loadings.
Shallow commercial diving (harbour work, inspection diving under 30 metres) is viewed less severely. Deep commercial diving (50 metres+, saturation diving) significantly narrows options and attracts heavy loadings from the insurers that will offer terms.
Electricians (high voltage)
Standard domestic electricians are typically covered at standard rates by most insurers. High-voltage electricians (working on power lines, substations, industrial installations) face a loading due to the electrocution risk. The voltage levels you work with and whether you work at height (on pylons, for example) are the key questions.
Linesman working on overhead power lines at height combine two risk factors (height + high voltage) and are typically loaded more heavily than a high-voltage electrician working at ground level.
Farmers
Farming is one of the UK's most dangerous occupations by fatality rate, primarily due to heavy machinery (tractors, combine harvesters, PTOs) and livestock handling. Despite this, many insurers will offer life insurance to farmers at standard or near-standard rates.
The type of farming matters. Arable farming with heavy machinery is viewed differently from livestock farming, which in turn differs from mixed farming. Income protection and critical illness cover may attract a loading reflecting the injury risk, particularly for more physical farming roles.
HGV drivers
HGV drivers are one of the more straightforward "hazardous" occupations for life insurance. Most insurers offer standard or near-standard rates. The road risk is acknowledged, but the statistical risk is well-understood and relatively modest compared to other hazardous occupations.
Factors that can affect terms include whether you carry hazardous goods (HAZMAT drivers may face a loading), whether you drive in the UK only or internationally, and the distance you cover annually. Long-haul international drivers may face slightly different terms than local delivery drivers.
Pilots
Pilot underwriting depends heavily on the type of flying.
Commercial airline pilots flying for major airlines are almost always offered standard rates. The statistical safety record of commercial aviation is excellent, and insurers price accordingly.
Private pilots and flying instructors face different underwriting. Light aircraft, helicopters, and microlight flying carry a higher statistical risk. Insurers ask about the number of flying hours per year, the type of aircraft, and whether you fly solo or with passengers. A minor to moderate loading is typical, though some insurers remain at standard rates for experienced private pilots with significant hours.
Helicopter pilots (particularly those flying offshore) face a combination of aviation risk and, if applicable, offshore working risk. Terms vary significantly by insurer.
Window cleaners
Window cleaning underwriting revolves almost entirely around height. Residential window cleaners working from ground-level water-fed poles are typically offered standard rates. Traditional ladder-based window cleaners working below 10 metres usually face only a minor loading. High-rise window cleaners working above 10 metres on cradles or abseiling face moderate to significant loadings.
The shift in the industry towards water-fed pole systems has actually improved insurance terms for many window cleaners, as the height risk is largely eliminated.
The honest answer
The biggest mistake people in hazardous occupations make is applying directly to a single insurer. Occupation underwriting varies enormously between insurers. One insurer might decline a roofer while another offers standard rates. One might exclude offshore workers while another has a specific category for them with reasonable terms. A specialist broker who knows which insurer is best for your specific occupation is not a nice-to-have - it is essential. The difference in outcome can be between a decline and an acceptance, or between paying double and paying standard rates.
Critical illness and income protection
For hazardous occupations, the product that is most affected is income protection. Since income protection pays out if you cannot work due to illness or injury, and hazardous occupations carry a higher injury risk, premiums are typically loaded more heavily than for life insurance.
Critical illness cover is also affected, though less severely. Some insurers may apply an occupation-related exclusion (for example, excluding claims resulting from workplace accidents) or a loading. The specific impact depends on your occupation and the insurer.
Life insurance itself is typically the least affected product, as the mortality risk from most hazardous occupations, while elevated, is statistically manageable for insurers.
Put your policy in trust
Whatever your occupation, every life insurance policy should be written in trust. This ensures the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries without entering your estate, avoiding potential 40% inheritance tax and months of probate delays. It is free and takes 2 minutes. Our partner brokers set it up on every policy.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to disclose my occupation on a life insurance application?
Yes. Your occupation is a standard question on every life insurance application. Misrepresenting your job (for example, describing yourself as a 'builder' rather than a 'steeplejack') is non-disclosure and could void your policy at claim. Always give your exact job title and describe what you actually do day-to-day.
What if I change jobs to a less hazardous occupation?
Once your policy is in force with guaranteed premiums, your premiums remain the same regardless of job changes. However, if you move to a safer occupation, you could apply for a new policy at potentially better rates. If the new terms are better, you replace the old policy.
Does my employer's death in service benefit cover me?
Many employers offer Death in Service cover (typically 2-4x salary) as part of a group life scheme. This usually has no individual medical or occupational underwriting, making it particularly valuable if your occupation makes individual cover expensive. However, employer cover ends when you leave the company, so individual cover provides permanent protection.
I manage a hazardous site but don't do the physical work myself. Am I still affected?
Site managers and supervisory roles are generally viewed more favourably than hands-on roles. If you are office-based or supervisory with minimal physical exposure to the hazard, many insurers will offer standard or near-standard rates. Be specific about your role when applying.
Does working part-time in a hazardous role make a difference?
Some insurers do differentiate between full-time and part-time exposure to occupational hazards. If you spend only a proportion of your working time in the hazardous aspect of your role, this can improve terms with certain insurers. A broker can identify which insurers are most favourable in this situation.
Can I get income protection in a hazardous occupation?
Yes, but it is the product most affected by occupation. Expect higher premiums, possibly an occupation-related exclusion, and potentially a longer deferred period. Some specialist insurers have specific products designed for hazardous occupations. A broker is essential for finding the best income protection terms.
Tell us your exact job - our brokers will find the right insurer
Occupation underwriting varies enormously between insurers. A 2-minute call lets our specialist brokers match your specific role with the insurer that offers the best terms. Free, no obligation.
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