Life Insurance and Space Tourism: Are You Covered if Something Goes Wrong?
No, most traditional life insurance policies do not cover space tourism. As commercial space travel becomes a reality for private individuals, insurers are grappling with how to handle the extreme risks involved—and most policies still exclude these high-risk adventures unless specifically amended.
Why Space Travel Creates Big Problems for Life Insurance
Space tourism is no longer confined to the imagination. With companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic offering suborbital and orbital experiences, private individuals now have access to a frontier once reserved for astronauts and cosmonauts. These commercial flights provide life-changing opportunities to experience weightlessness and see Earth from space—but they also carry enormous risks. Rocket malfunctions, human error, and radiation exposure remain serious concerns. For insurers, this raises an important question: who pays if something goes wrong?
The answer, unfortunately, is often no one, unless the policyholder obtained specialized coverage before their journey. That’s because standard life insurance policies generally exclude extreme-risk activities, including aviation-related sports, mountain climbing, and increasingly, space travel. Without a space-specific rider or custom policy in place, claims made after a space-related death may be flatly denied.
Specialized Space Insurance Is Expensive—And Rare
Due to the significant risks, a niche market for space travel insurance has emerged. Companies like Lloyd’s of London, Allianz, AXA XL, Munich RE, and Global Aerospace are some of the few players offering custom life insurance policies for space tourists. These policies are priced according to a variety of high-stakes variables, including:
Duration of the mission
Type and reliability of the spacecraft
The traveler's medical background
Training and experience of the crew
Mission trajectory and distance from Earth
A suborbital flight may cost the traveler $250,000—but the insurance policy protecting that journey could cost just as much. For orbital trips, such as stays at the International Space Station or future moon missions, premiums can reach well into the millions. This pricing reflects the likelihood of catastrophic failure, which—while statistically low—is vastly higher than that of any other commercial activity.
Aviation’s Past Offers a Glimpse of the Future
This isn’t the first time the insurance industry has faced a paradigm-shifting challenge. In the early 20th century, commercial aviation was viewed as far too dangerous to insure. Life insurance policies excluded air travel, leaving passengers and pilots uncovered. Over time, as technology advanced and safety measures improved, the risk dropped—and insurers began to include flight coverage in standard policies. Space travel may follow a similar path. As reusable rockets become more reliable, and flight systems gain fail-safes and redundancies, insurance coverage may evolve to keep up. But until then, the onus is on travelers to know what’s covered—and what’s not.
When Denied Claims and Exclusions Collide
If someone dies during a space tourism flight and their standard life insurance policy contains an exclusion for aviation-related activities or “hazardous pursuits,” the insurer may deny the claim outright. Even when the cause of death appears unrelated—such as a heart attack mid-flight—insurers may still try to link it to the extreme conditions of space travel to justify denial. This type of dispute is not uncommon and highlights the legal gray areas involved. Our law firm has seen similar tactics used in skydiving and scuba-related denials, and space tourism only expands the frontier of policy exclusions.
Insurers Are Also Dealing With New Risks
The rise of space tourism brings challenges beyond individual life policies. Spaceflight companies now require liability insurance for spacecraft launches, crew safety, and even falling debris. Satellites and other orbital assets must be insured for collision and equipment failure. International space law is evolving to accommodate these developments, with agreements like the Outer Space Treaty and Liability Convention helping define cross-border responsibilities.
Denied Life Insurance Claim Involving Space Travel? We Can Help
At LifeInsuranceAttorney.com, we specialize in resolving complex life insurance denials, including those involving unusual exclusions and cutting-edge technologies. Whether the insurer claims the activity wasn’t covered, argues the death was linked to a hazardous pursuit, or hides behind vague policy language, we know how to fight back. If your family’s life insurance claim was denied following a space-related activity—or any unusual circumstance—contact us today. We take on insurers who think they can delay, deny, or deflect their obligations. If you have a life insurance dispute in Alaska we can help.
FAQ: Life Insurance and Space Tourism
Does life insurance cover space tourism? Most traditional policies exclude coverage for space travel unless a rider or specialized policy was added. Without proper coverage, a claim may be denied.
Which companies offer life insurance for space travelers? Some insurers offering space-related coverage include Lloyd’s of London, Allianz, AXA XL, Munich RE, and Global Aerospace. These policies are custom-written and costly.
Why do insurers exclude space travel from standard policies? The risks involved—mechanical failure, radiation, zero gravity—are far higher than standard activities, making them uninsurable under ordinary policies without significant premium adjustments.
Can a family fight a denied life insurance claim involving space travel? Yes. If the policy language is vague, or if the insurer applies exclusions too broadly, beneficiaries can often challenge the denial with legal help.
Will space travel eventually be covered by regular life insurance? Possibly. As technology matures and safety improves, insurance may follow the same pattern as aviation, gradually becoming mainstream in policies.