Life insurance for people with pre existing conditions

It’s possible to get life insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. It may cost more, and your application might not be instantly accepted, but it doesn’t automatically mean you won’t get cover.

What is a pre-existing condition?

It’s when you had symptoms, medication, advice, treatment or diagnostic tests for a disease, illness or injury before taking out a life insurance policy. 

Insurers have their own definitions, but they usually include conditions like heart disease, asthma, diabetes and cancer. They’ll also consider the severity of the condition.

Pre-existing conditions are just one of many factors that insurers consider when you apply for cover. Other things, like your job and how much cover you’re asking for, also play a part. 

Can you get life insurance with a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing medical condition won’t necessarily prevent you from getting cover. Just be aware that:

• The insurer might ask for more medical information. That might be a report from your GP, a call from a nurse, a mini screening, or a medical exam, where they find out more about your general health or the condition you have. If we ask you to have a medical exam, we’ll cover the cost, and it’ll be at a time and place that’s convenient for you.
• It might cost more. When they look at your application, underwriters will consider how likely you are to make a claim, and if it’s more or less likely than the average person. So, for example, your premiums may be higher if you have a serious, chronic medical condition. 

Unfortunately, sometimes a life insurance application is declined based on medical reasons. If you have a serious condition, the insurer may not be able to offer you cover. Even if this happens, you may be able to get life insurance elsewhere. Just make sure you check the policy wording, so you know the cover’s right for you.

How will an insurer know you have a pre-existing condition?

You should tell them. As part of the application, you’ll be asked questions about your lifestyle and health. This includes how much alcohol you drink, your weight and height, if you smoke – and if you have any pre-existing conditions. 

Make sure you answer the medical questions, and all application questions, correctly and truthfully. Insurer’s regularly check this information and may contact your doctor for confirmation that what you’ve told them. If they find something isn’t correct, your insurer may ask you to pay more for the cover, they may not be able to offer you cover until a later date, or in some cases, they may cancel your policy. More seriously, if an insurer finds out that an application was incorrect it could prevent them from paying a claim to your loved ones because the cover would be invalid.

Which life insurance doesn’t ask about pre-existing conditions?

If you’re eligible for our over 50 life insurance, you won’t have to answer health questions or have a medical exam when you apply. It’s a whole of life policy, so it lasts a lifetime, instead of a specific number of years. The payout is guaranteed whenever you pass away. That’s why premiums for whole of life policies tend to be higher than for term policies. Although acceptance is guaranteed, we’ll only pay out the full assured lump sum if you pass away after the first year of your cover, or if you pass away as the result of an accident during the first full year. Cover is provided whilst premiums are being maintained, should your premiums cease to be paid, your cover will end. There's no cash in value at any time.

The most important thing is to get cover that’s right for your circumstances, that’s affordable for you.

Having a medical condition doesn’t need to put you off applying for life insurance. There are other ways to help reduce your premiums and, even if it takes a little longer to get your application accepted, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t get cover.

What questions will insurers ask?

When you apply for life insurance, the provider will ask you about how much cover you’d like, your general info (like your date of birth and address), and whether you smoke.

But, they will ask you a few questions about your medical condition:

1. Are you taking any medication?

2. Have you been admitted to hospital recently? Why? How are you now?

3. Is it an on-going issue?

Will I be over charged because I’m ill?

If you have a condition that's considered curable or manageable it’s against the law to charge you more for life insurance because of it.

Equality Act 2010

What policy might I be offered if I have a medical condition?

If you qualify for cover, any life insurance deal you’re offered will depend on the nature of your condition and your individual circumstances. Policies can be offered with or without exclusions.

Policies without exclusions
This is sometimes called a ‘loaded’ premium, as you end up paying a bit more for your life insurance to include your pre-existing medical condition - you're asked to pay an increased price to cover the increased risk.

It could be offered to you if, for example, you have high blood pressure. The cost of the premium is likely to increase with the severity of a condition, but each insurer can categorise medical conditions differently.

Policies with exclusions

Insurers might not be willing to cover more serious conditions, so you might be offered policies that exclude your pre-existing medical condition from the cover.

For example, if you’ve suffered from cancer, you could arrange life insurance that wouldn’t pay out if you died from that cancer but would if you died from another cause.

Make yourself aware of what is and isn’t covered, like when a death might be considered to have been a result of a pre-existing condition.

Are there alternative options?

You could contact a charity or support group that specialises in the medical condition you have; for example, a cancer charity might be able to offer more specific help about arranging life insurance if you're a cancer survivor.

Life insurance without medical checks

If you’re young and healthy, you’re unlikely to need a medical check. However, if you’re a bit older and a smoker, for example, your insurer might request one.

Policies specifically offering ‘guaranteed acceptance with no medical check’ are a certain type of life insurance, known as over 50s lifelong protection.

While this might be a suitable option for some, there are downsides, such as you could end up paying in more than your estate gets as a payout.

Also, there will be an initial wait period, typically 12-24 months; if you die in this time, your estate will only get back the premiums you’ve paid in.

Getting the best price for your life insurance

Comparing life insurance gives you an idea of the sort of pricing and policy options you have available to you.

You can also speak to our specialist team when you’re getting quotes.[1] They could help you find providers specialising in life insurance for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

You can request a call back when you’re getting quotes with us.

Compare life insurance quotes and make sure you declare any medical conditions so that you get the best policy for your needs

Compare life insurance

Cutting the cost of life insurance with medical conditions

If you’re not sure about any aspect of a life insurance policy, call the insurer and ask. Otherwise, you risk wasting money on insurance that doesn’t cover what you need.

Here are a few things you can do to get a good price on your life insurance for those with medical conditions:

1. Compare your options

   As ever, weighing up different policies will help you find the right cover for a good price

2. Switching isn’t always right

   Life insurance premiums increase with age, so if a new policy is the same as your current one, consider whether switching policies is really worth the potential cost

3. Adopting a healthier lifestyle

   If you tell your insurer about the change, quitting smoking, for instance, could see your premiums lowered

Guides to life insurance