When Your Hobbies Impact Your Life Insurance
Engaging in adventurous or high-risk hobbies might be your passion—but if you have a life insurance policy, those activities can have unexpected consequences. Many policyholders are unaware that certain recreational pursuits may lead to higher premiums, stricter exclusions, or even the complete denial of death benefits.
If you die while participating in a risky activity like skydiving, SCUBA diving, or car racing, your insurer might use that as a reason to deny your loved ones the payout you intended to provide. Understanding how life insurance companies view your hobbies is crucial if you want to ensure your beneficiaries receive the coverage you’ve paid for.
Risky Hobbies That Raise Red Flags
Insurance companies evaluate applicants based on risk. That means the more dangerous your lifestyle appears, the more likely they are to charge higher premiums—or insert exclusionary language into the policy.
Some of the most common high-risk activities that may impact coverage include:
Skydiving
SCUBA diving
Hang gliding
Whitewater rafting
Bungee jumping
Car or motorcycle racing
Mountain or rock climbing
Private aviation
Even competitive bicycling in certain cases
If you engage in these activities regularly—or even just once—you could face challenges collecting benefits after a fatal accident. The insurer may claim you failed to disclose your hobby, or that the activity falls under a dangerous activity exclusion clause.
The Period of Contestability and Hobby-Related Deaths
Most life insurance policies have a contestability period—typically the first two years after the policy begins. During this time, insurers can investigate the circumstances surrounding a death and even void the policy based on incomplete or inaccurate application information.
If the policyholder dies during this period while participating in a hazardous activity they failed to disclose, the insurer is likely to reject the claim. They may argue that the application was incomplete or misleading, even if the omission was unintentional.
Some beneficiaries have tried to get around this by suggesting the activity was a one-time occurrence. But beware—insurance companies are experts at digital forensics. They can uncover old social media posts, online forums, and even travel logs that contradict such claims.
What If the Policyholder Disclosed the Hobby?
Even if the dangerous hobby was listed during the application process, you’re not automatically in the clear. Many life insurance policies contain explicit exclusions for deaths resulting from certain activities, regardless of disclosure.
For example, if the policy includes a SCUBA diving exclusion and the insured dies while diving, the claim can still be denied—even if SCUBA diving was disclosed. Likewise, many policies contain “aviation exclusions” for non-commercial flights, or clauses that void coverage in the event of death during a race or while performing stunts.
Some older or specialized policies even retain an “act of war” exclusion. If the insured dies during military service or in connection with armed conflict, the insurer may point to that clause to deny the claim.
Are You Out of Options If the Death Was Risk-Related?
Absolutely not. Just because the death occurred during a risky activity doesn't mean the insurance company’s denial is valid. In some cases, we’ve been able to show that the insurer was aware of the insured’s hobby and chose to issue the policy anyway—a move that can constitute a waiver of their right to deny the claim later.
We’ve also successfully argued against vague or misleading policy language. Sometimes, exclusions are poorly written, overly broad, or unenforceable under state law. Insurance companies may also try to apply an exclusion that doesn’t clearly fit the facts—a tactic we see all the time.
Specialized Coverage for High-Risk Lifestyles
If a high-risk hobby is a big part of your life, you don’t have to forgo life insurance entirely. Some insurers offer custom policies designed specifically for people with dangerous professions or recreational habits. While premiums are typically higher, these policies are more likely to cover the full benefit if something goes wrong during one of your preferred activities.
It’s also worth speaking to a knowledgeable insurance advisor—or an attorney—before signing any policy. Knowing what’s included, what’s excluded, and where the fine print may create vulnerabilities can protect your family down the line.
Don’t Let a Risky Hobby Be Used Against You
Life insurance should be a source of peace of mind—not a legal battle for your loved ones after your death. If your claim was denied due to a hobby-related incident, you may have more legal rights than the insurance company wants you to believe.
We handle these disputes every day. Our legal team knows how to challenge wrongful denials, especially those involving vague exclusions, contestability clauses, or undisclosed activities. We understand how insurers operate—and we don’t let them get away with using technicalities to deny valid claims.
If you’ve received a claim denial letter based on the insured’s hobbies or recreational activities, don’t wait. Contact us today. We’ll review your case for free and only get paid if we recover compensation on your behalf.