A sick person may be able to get life insurance, but figuring out how to buy life insurance will be more complicated. Some standard term and whole life insurers will offer coverage even to someone with a medical issue. However, eligibility depends on how serious the medical problem is and the specific insurer's rules. For example, some companies provide coverage to people with HIV or controlled diabetes, but others don't. Guaranteed issue policies are always available, even to very sick people. But, there is usually a multi-year waiting period before the full death benefit is paid. And there are typically low policy limits.