This is due to the fact that life insurers assume a financial risk by covering you. The greater the likelihood that an insurer will have to pay out your policy, the more you'll pay — or the more difficult it will be to obtain coverage.

If you fall into one of these five categories, you may be considered a high risk for insurance.

1. You have a pre-existing health condition

"Think about cancer, diabetes, or any type of autoimmune disorder. "Morbid obesity is also a significant risk," says Jeremy Hallett, CEO of the online insurance brokerage Quotacy.

However, if you manage your pre-existing condition well, insurers will consider that when setting rates.

According to Maureen Shaughnessy, research actuary at LIMRA, a life insurance trade organization, the reason is simple.

"The more you can control your health risk, the better your chances of dying are — which is good for everyone."

2. You have a dangerous job

If you work in a dangerous workplace every day, you can expect to be treated differently than someone who works in an office.

The "dangerous" jobs list is based on specialized tasks. A police officer on the beat can usually get good rates, but a police officer on the bomb squad may have to pay a higher premium, according to Hallett.

The rules for military personnel are a little hazy. If you're in the military but not a member of the active-duty special operations forces, such as Army Rangers or Navy SEALs, a broker can usually get you rates based on your health, according to Hallett. If you're deployed to a dangerous part of the world, you won't be able to get a policy until you return to the United States, unless you go with a military-specific insurer.

These jobs can also be problematic:

• Piloting, including student pilots, helicopter pilots and crop dusters.
• Car racing.
• Certain types of scuba diving, such as wreck diving and cave diving.

What's the good news? If you leave your dangerous job, you can request that your insurer re-evaluate your rates.

3. You’re a thrill-seeker

Do you spend your weekends participating in extreme sports such as car racing, flight training, skydiving, scuba diving, or mountain climbing? Unfortunately, you will most likely have to pay more for life insurance.

Insurers will consider your level of risk and frequency of participation in these activities.

"It's fine to race your new Porsche around a track. It's fine to simply climb a mountain. But when you start using ice picks and go 10,000 to 12,000 feet, it's not fine. "If you're going to climb Everest or K2, they won't write to you until you're back," Hallett says.

To avoid committing fraud, be honest with your insurer during the application process. You must disclose your dangerous hobbies, as well as how frequently you engage in them each year.

4. You’re getting drug or alcohol treatment

The type of drug and the length of time you've been clean are factors to consider. Insurers carefully consider relapse rates as well as the risk of contracting diseases such as hepatitis C through drug use.

"Heroin, opioids, and methamphetamine are all problematic. "Normally, you can't get coverage for a year after drug treatment," Hallett explains.

In terms of alcohol treatment, insurers prefer to see you sober for one to two years before lowering your rate.

5. You have a recent DUI

A DUI is more than just a blemish on your driving record; it can also make it difficult to obtain low-cost life insurance.

If you have had a DUI within the last year, you can expect to pay a higher premium when applying for life insurance. If you have multiple DUIs in the last five years, you will almost certainly pay more than twice as much for coverage as someone with a clean driving record.

However, your insurer may not penalize you for a single DUI that occurred five years or more ago.

Boosting your chances of approval

Use a life insurance broker or an independent agent. These professionals work with a variety of life insurance companies and can assist you in navigating your options.

"You need a human to take your profile, shop it, and come back to you with the best offer," Hallett says.

Every insurer, as Shaughnessy points out, has a different risk appetite. It's a good idea to compare life insurance quotes to ensure you're getting the best deal.