THINK YOU'RE UNINSURABLE?

You don't have to race motorcycles like Kyle Lewis to be frozen out of affordable health or disability insurance. Maybe you have a health condition that makes you a bad risk. Maybe you run your own business, or the company you work for is too small to offer a group plan. Whatever your problem, there are insurers that will take you on. You just have to know how to find them.

If you're self-employed, consider joining the trade group for your profession or a freelancers group, where you can buy health or disability insurance at group rates. (Go to workingtoday.org or try the National Association for the Self-Employed at nase.org.) Or find yourself a business partner. Typically, all you need to qualify for a group rate is two people.

When chronic medical problems keep you or a family member from getting health insurance, contact your state's department of health services or insurance. "Many states offer health insurance coverage for people whom insurance companies have rejected," says Larry Ginsburg of the advocacy group United Policyholders. Be forewarned: There may be a waiting list.

If you work for a small company that doesn't offer disability coverage, ask your boss to look into offering it. Point out that group disability doesn't have to cost your employer anything. And while you and your fellow employees may have to absorb the full cost of a group plan, your premiums will probably be far lower than if you had purchased individual disability policies.

As a last resort, consider agreeing to the riders and options on credit cards and some mortgages that promise to pay off at least part of your balance if you die or become disabled. "Compared with regular life or disability policies, these tend to be very expensive," says Los Angeles financial planner Robert Pagliarini, "but they may be worthwhile if you have no other options."