# Can Astronauts Buy Life Insurance? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 5, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957 "2003-02-05T15:22:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/1 "2003-02-05T15:22:40Z")
Just wondering if astronauts and those working in hazardous jobs have difficulty getting life insurance coverage? I wonder if NASA might cover the astronauts…but, what about those in the military? police? fire? …do the insurance co’s ever ask about your place of employment/line of work? (I can’t recall…) - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/2 "2003-02-05T15:35:55Z")
The military gets coverage through the government. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/3 "2003-02-05T15:59:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by In Conceivable \* > \*\*The military gets coverage through the government. \*\* I take it you are addressing one part of my question? (Or, is NASA quietly lumped in under military???) - Jinx ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/4 "2003-02-05T16:02:55Z")
I am just addressing one part. I only know how it works for the military. Most life insurance won’t cover you if you are killed in an act of war. This is why the military get coverage from the government. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/5 "2003-02-05T16:32:36Z")
There was a report on NPR on…Monday? They mentioned that many astronauts do NOT have life insurance. It was in the context of a story on a foundation that has been set up to provide money/scholarships for the children of Challenger victims. They are apparently now accepting donations again for children of Columbia victims. Astronauts I guess are not necessarily highly paid, and they found after Challenger that many families were left holding the bag on a lot of expenses. Now, the story did NOT mention whether these astronauts did not have insurance because they COULDN’T, or just DIDN’T. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/6 "2003-02-05T17:16:46Z")
Most astronauts are active-duty military. I don’t know what civilian astronauts get. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/7 "2003-02-05T18:28:17Z")
According to the link below, being an astronaut disqualifies you from most PRIVATE life insurance. (note: the site is a guy who went in for an interview, and this is what he says - I’m sure it’s legit, since it does carry such high risk) [http://www.qsl.net/ka9snf/nasa2000/text.htm](http://www.qsl.net/ka9snf/nasa2000/text.htm) He mentions what government pay grade astronauts are generally in. Do government employees receive life insurance as part of their benefit package? (I mean government other than military) Hopefully whatever government benefits there are would extend to the astronauts as well. You can also find an interesting article on the USPA & IRA website (an insurance company): > **[First Command](https://www.firstcommand.com/home/fcmd_magazine/01w_high_finance.html)** > > First Command Financial Services provides face-to-face financial coaching to our Nation’s military families in their pursuit of financial security. Again, no comment on whether the employer provides any insurance, just the typical spiel on how they rarely qualify for private plans. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/8 "2003-02-05T18:32:59Z")
I checked out NASA’s page, and NASA does provide life insurance through their NASA Employee Benefits Association. [http://nasapeople.nasa.gov/employeebenefits/lifeinsur/neba.htm](http://nasapeople.nasa.gov/employeebenefits/lifeinsur/neba.htm) Presumably astronauts would be included in this association? Here’s a quote: **Membership** Employees insured under any one of the Association’s plans shall automatically be members of the Association. Eligibility for membership shall be as defined in the group life insurance contracts and, generally, shall include all NASA civil service employees serving under permanent or term appointments and military personnel serving a regular assignment in accordance with the NASA/Department of Defense agreement, as amended. Members shall be enrolled in local chapters. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Slant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/9 "2003-02-05T18:49:41Z")
I heard that USAA, which is an insurance agency founded by retired US military officers, does in fact offer insurance which covers “Acts of war”. The membership is limited to Officers and their family. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/10 "2003-02-05T20:56:30Z")
There are lots of recreational activities that will prevent you from getting life insurance, not just occupations. When I worked for PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors- scuba) and the company was comparing health insurance/life insurance plans, we had one hell of a time finding one that would work. Scuba diving is a contraindication for most life insurance companies. If you are an instructor, the risk is allegedly higher. Skydivers also have this problem. When I got my life insurance, I had to state that I did not plan to engage in certain activities including scuba diving and skydiving, and that I didn’t plan on visiting certain areas of the world. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/11 "2003-02-05T20:58:35Z")
Oh, and membership in USAA is no longer limited to officers and their dependents. Enlisted personnel can also have limited services. USAA rocks. We have our auto insurance, homeowners insurance and a Visa card with them. They are more expensive than most companies, but the level of service has always been worth the extra cost. Until recently. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/12 "2003-02-05T21:01:31Z")
_slight highjack_ **EJ** is right. Enlisted can get USAA now too and it does rock. However, I have found them to be cheaper then other insurance companies. Esp when I add back my dividend check at the end of the year. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/13 "2003-02-05T21:14:29Z")
My dividend check has been a lot smaller the last couple of years! In CA, their rates aren’t quite as competitive as some others, but you know they will be there if something happens, and they will fight for you if an accident is not your fault. OK, end of hijack, we promise! ---
**Author:** ![ForgottenLore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@ForgottenLore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForgottenLore)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/14 "2003-02-05T21:32:42Z")
I asked this very question of my insurance agent. She said that astronauts can not get standard life insurance. I seem to recall this was also confirmed in Andrew Chaikin’s book “A Man on the Moon”, which chronicled the Apollo program. My insurance agent also said that your standard life insurance policy will not cover you if you die in the crash of a light airplane. I was surprised by this but, hey, she’s the expert. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Conceivable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/4bbf92/32.png) [@In\_Conceivable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Conceivable)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/15 "2003-02-05T21:41:08Z")
Wow **ForgottenLore** no insurance for light aircraft? Where are our flying dopers? I really want to hear more about that. Paging **Broomstick**. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/16 "2003-02-06T03:03:38Z")
Speak of the devil… Yes, it’s true. Virtually all private life insurance excludes not just piloting a small airplane, but also being a passenger in one. I can obtain life insurance easily enough as long as I’m willing to accept a rider that they won’t pay out if I die in a small plane. My employer covers me for business related travel, but it’s strictly against company policy for me to fly myself while on business, and basically restricts business travel to commercial airlines. I have additional insurance through my employer for life coverage, but it’s a small amount. Apparently it _doesn’t_ exclude general aviation, but I’m having some trouble getting HR to prove this to my absolute satisfaction. Sometimes, if you get coverage BEFORE you become a pilot there’s no exclusions written in, in which case they usually have to cover you. In which case, don’t ever get cancelled! It’s too good a deal! Pilots normally obtain insurance of this sort through organizations (my small amount of liability/flight insurance is through AOPA, Airplane Owners and Pilots Association). You buy insurance to cover you _just_ when you’re flying, or all the time. The rates are slightly higher than for the average desk jockey, but MUCH lower than you’d get otherwise. However, even those policies might exclude such activities as flying homebuilt or experimental airplanes (which I’ve done). In which case you “fly bare” and assume all risk yourself. Even when you DO find coverage for homebuilts (occassionally obtainable) they typically cover nothing during the initial 40 hours of flight testing. One of my flying acquaintances crashed his homebuilt last June. None of his insurance covered anything - _including_ his medical insurance. Total bill was over $160,000 and he has to pay all of it. He esimates 10 years to pay it off, minimum. But yes, it’s true, it’s harder for pilots to get insurance of any sort, and you have to be very careful of exclusions. Higher rates are also a nasty fact of life. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/17 "2003-02-06T05:09:49Z")
Like uncle Cecil said it’s taking longer than we thought. Look, IWALIA (I was a life insurance agent for 7 years) I have even drug out one of my policies, and I quote: > [@](#): > > We will on receiving proof of the Insured’s death, pay the beneficiary the death benefit of the basic contract. [some verbage about the amount being reduced by the amount of a loan and increased by unearned premium] If the insured commits suicide within 2 years of the date of issue, the deaht benefit will be limited to the total of the premiums paid. If the insured’s age or sex was misstated in the application, the death benefit will be limited by the sex and age provision. Our right to contest payment of any death benefit is limited by the contest provision. In the general provisions you get these items > [@](#): > > **contest** After this contract has been in effect during the insured’s lifetime for 2 years from its date of issue, we will not use material misstatements made in the application to contest this contract. > **Sex and Age** If the insured’s sex or age was misstated in the application, all benefits of this contract will be adjusted to what the premium would have bought for the correct sex and age. > **General** The entire contract between us and the applicant consists of this policy, and all attached pages, and the written application. So a Life insurance contract will pay for death by war, if you are flying a plane, racing a car, or skydiving. if the contract is existing when you take up any of these hobbies, no problem. If you lie about these hobbies the insurance company could contest for the first two years. (beware of Murphy’s law) Not a good idea. However it should be noted that disclosure of these activities could very well either limit how much insurance a company is willing to sell you, or at what rate the contract would be at. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/18 "2003-02-06T13:34:57Z")
After I hit send one more thing did occur to me. I think that accidental death riders carry an exclusion if the insured had any duties connected with the flight. (None of my policies have AD&D so I can’t check) So if a pilot is working no accidental death benefit. If he/she is a passenger accidental death would pay. In all cases the base death benefit is payable. ---
**Author:** ![ForgottenLore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@ForgottenLore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForgottenLore)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/19 "2003-02-06T13:44:08Z")
> [@](#): > > So a Life insurance contract will pay for death by war, if you are flying a plane, racing a car, or skydiving. if the contract is existing when you take up any of these hobbies, no problem. Interesting. That seems to flatly contradict what my insurance agent told me. As near as I can remember, she said “what most people don’t realize is that if you go to a local airfield and climb into a piper cub with a pilot friend of yours and the airplane crashes, you are _not_ covered by your life insurance.” Your policy quotes certainly seem to prove her wrong. I have perpetuated ignorance. I am ashamed. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-astronauts-buy-life-insurance/152957/20 "2003-02-07T01:39:53Z")
This afternoon I was discussing this thread with a lawyer friend of mine. They reminded me that insurance law is governed by the states, not the feds, so their can be differences between states. :smack: I maintained that the policy forms are very similar, but I was reminded that the law in your state may be different from California (the policy form I quoted). I have seen policies from many different states, but have never noticed any marked difference. YMMV Best bet is to pull out your life policy and read it. The language in most of them is fairly simple.