Can you get life insurance with a heart condition?

Yes, you can get life insurance with a heart condition.

However, the severity of your condition and your personal circumstances will determine which policies and prices are available to you.

One of the best ways to find suitable life insurance as a heart condition patient is to use a fee-free life insurance broker, such as Reassured.

We can compare a range of policy options from leading UK insurers, including specialist providers, to help you save time and money.

Make the most of our award-winning service today by clicking through to our form.

Find out what to expect when applying for life insurance with heart disease or a heart condition and how you can secure cheaper premiums in this guide.

In this guide:

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Heart condition life insurance [Summary]

  • Life insurance could be available to those with heart disease, angina, heart failure, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure and other heart conditions
  • The success of your application and the cost of your monthly premiums will vary between different insurers (and will be based on your personal circumstances)
  • Insurers may request access to your medical records or that you attend a medical exam (at no cost to you) depending on the severity of your heart condition
  • If you’ve experienced a severe heart problem or have been declined life insurance in the past, then you may be best applying with a specialist insurer or taking out a guaranteed over 50s plan (no medical questions asked, available from £5 a month through Reassured + )
  • Using a life insurance expert, like Reassured, can help you compare policies and quotes from mainstream and specialist insurers to identify suitable deals

What is considered a heart condition for life insurance?

A heart condition, according to life insurance providers, is any pre-existing condition that affects your heart.

All heart conditions vary in severity, with some of the most common being:

  • Heart disease (cardiovascular disease)
  • Heart attack
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Stroke

It’s important to disclose any pre-existing medical condition, including heart problems, when applying for life insurance to ensure that your policy is valid.

How does a heart condition affect life insurance?

Having a heart condition can affect your ability to secure life insurance and how much you pay for a policy.

When applying for life insurance, you’ll need to provide details of your heart condition and any treatment you’ve received.

Questions you may be asked include:

  • When were you diagnosed?
  • What are your symptoms and how frequent are they?
  • What is your treatment and/or medication?
  • What is your current blood pressure and cholesterol level?
  • Have you had any surgery?
  • What is your Body Mass Index (weight)?
  • Do you have any other health conditions?

Insurers will consider these key factors to determine whether they can offer you a policy and, if so, the cost of your monthly premium.

Depending on the severity of your condition, your application may require further investigation before it can be approved. This could either be in the form of a medical report from your GP, or a medical exam.

Obtaining as much information as possible for your application is important to ensure that any policy you take out is suited to your unique circumstances.

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Why take out life insurance with a heart condition?

Life insurance is designed to provide your family with a financial safety net if you were no longer around to support them.

The pay out from your life insurance policy could help them to cover a range of costs, such as:

  • Mortgage payments (average UK mortgage debt is £129,130[1])
  • Family living costs (UK families spend on average £2,321 a month on transport, bills and groceries[2])
  • Childcare costs (the average full-time weekly cost is £285.31[3])
  • Outstanding debts in your name (the average UK adult has £34,566 of debt, not including mortgages[4])
  • Funeral costs (the average cost of a UK funeral is £4,141[5])
  • Inheritance tax (charged at 40% if your estate is liable)

If you’re living with heart disease or any other heart condition, then this could be a crucial time to secure life insurance for your family should the worst happen.

Your policy can be tailored to suit your personal circumstances and budget, allowing you to financially protect what matters most to you, at a good price.

How much life insurance do you need?

Work out how much life insurance you may need based on your current financial commitments and what you want your policy to cover. Simply fill in the fields which apply to you for an instant calculation.

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£137,934 is the estimated mortgage debt per household in the UK.

The purchase of a home is likely to be the largest financial commitment any of us will make in our lifetime. Your life insurance should cover your remaining mortgage balance to allow your loved ones to stay in the family home should anything happen to you.

Source: Moneynerd.co.uk
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The average monthly household budget in the UK is £2,548 (that’s £30,576 per year), which is spent on transport, food & drink, utilities (gas, electricity, water etc), clothing, council tax and leisure activities.

With energy prices hitting a record high and the cost of living rising sharply in the UK, you may wish to factor in utility bills and family living expenses into your cover.

Source: Nimblefins.co.uk
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The average personal debt of UK adults has risen to £34,566 (not including mortgage debt), with credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts being the most common forms of debt.

Factoring in any debts into your life insurance cover means that, if they need to be paid back from your estate after your passing, your loved ones won’t miss out financially.

Source: Money.co.uk
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According to SunLife, the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £3,953 (with the overall cost of dying at £9,200).

Funeral costs have increased by 116% since 2004 and are a significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.

Source: SunLife.co.uk
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When factoring in cover for your children, you may wish to calculate the amount based on how long it is until they reach financial independence.

This could include childcare (£7,000 per year for part-time care), school expenses (£1,519 per school year for uniforms, lunches, stationary etc), as well as an additional sum for further education (this could be a contribution of up to £5,000 per year).

Sources: Daynurseries.co.uk, Primarytimes.co.uk & Savethestudent.org
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2 in 5 adults say they are relying on an inheritance to fund their retirement.

Factoring in an inheritance to your sum assured could allow loved ones to live a more financially comfortable life. Alternatively, you could leave a cash gift to a charity of your choosing.

Source: Moneyage.co.uk
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If you’re lucky enough to have your own savings or are part of the 30% of UK residents who already have a life insurance policy in place, this can provide financial protection for loved ones.

By entering your current cover, savings or death in service amount you can reduce the sum assured you require.

Source: Scottishbusinessnews.net
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Compare heart disease life insurance through Reassured

At Reassured, our team of experts are here to help you discover your life insurance options and source you the best quotes available from our panel of insurers.

Here are some key reasons to use us:

  • Award-winning & FCA-regulated broker service
  • Rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot from 75,000+ customer reviews
  • Free, no-obligation quotes from a panel of major UK insurers, as well as smaller specialists available through our advised team
  • Dedicated team of life insurance experts on hand to answer any questions you may have & guide you through the entire application process
  • A specialist impaired risk team who have an excellent track record of finding some form of cover for high-risk applicants
  • Various types of life insurance for heart disease patients
  • Free trust writing service available with most policies (avoid/minimise 40% inheritance tax & probate)

How much is life insurance with a heart condition?

The cost of life insurance with a heart condition will depend on your individual circumstances. Every application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

When deciding how much you’ll pay for your policy, insurers will consider the following factors:

  • Your age
  • Your smoking status
  • Your health
  • Your BMI
  • Your lifestyle
  • Your family medical history
  • Your policy terms;
    - Cover length (the term)
    - Cover amount (the sum assured)

Life insurance premiums are based on the likelihood of a claim being made on your policy.

If the insurer believes there’s a higher risk, they’ll charge you a higher premium.

Generally, applicants with heart problems are considered as ‘high-risk’, but this doesn’t mean you can’t find an affordable deal.

Comparing policies and quotes from multiple insurers, with the help of a broker, can help you identify your suitable options.

Guaranteed life insurance from £5 a month

Guaranteed life insurance, also known as an over 50s plan, guarantees acceptance if you’re aged 50 - 85 and the application has no medical questions.

Contact Reassured to learn more about over 50s life insurance and secure your free, personalised quotes.

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What is the best life insurance for someone with a heart condition?

The best life insurance for someone with a heart condition varies from person to person, as everyone has different needs and circumstances.

At Reassured, we can help arrange the following policy options:

Term life insurance

Term life insurance provides you with cover for a set period of time (the term) and will pay out if you pass away during this time.

It’s the most popular type of policy (usually taken out to help protect a mortgage) and can be the most affordable.

You can choose whether the sum assured (cover amount) reduces over the policy term (known as decreasing term) or remains fixed (level term).

Term life insurance requires your medical information during the application process.

Compare quotes through Reassured.

Family income benefit

This type of policy provides you with cover for a set term and will pay out if you pass away during the term, just like term life insurance.

However, the pay out is made in regular tax-free monthly payments, rather than as one lump sum.

This can help to replace your income and cover monthly outgoings, such as rent and bills, allowing your family to budget accordingly.

Family income benefit requires your medical information during the application process.

Compare quotes through the advised team at Reassured.

Whole of life insurance

This type of policy provides you with cover for the remainder of your life.

It guarantees a cash pay out to your loved ones when you pass away, (not if you pass away).

The funds could be used as an inheritance and/or to help cover funeral costs.

Whole of life insurance requires your medical information during the application process.

If you pay a loaded premium due to a heart condition, then there’s a chance you could pay more into this policy than what will be paid out eventually.

Compare quotes through the advised team at Reassured.

Over 50s life insurance

Also known as an over 50s plan, over 50s life insurance guarantees acceptance to all UK residents aged 50 - 85. There are no medical questions, so you don’t need to disclose your heart condition.

Your age, smoking status and the policy sum assured will determine the cost of your monthly premium. The maximum you can secure is £20,000 (depending on your personal circumstances and budget).

An over 50s plan also guarantees to pay out when you pass away once the waiting period has ended (the waiting period is either 12 or 24 months after your policy start date depending on the insurer).

Cover starts from 20p-a-day through Reassured.

Policy extras and add ons:

Free terminal illness cover

Terminal illness cover comes as standard with all term-based life insurance policies arranged through Reassured.

If you’ve secured level term or decreasing term life insurance with a heart condition, you could also receive this benefit.

Terminal illness cover allows you to make an early claim on your policy if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness and predicted to pass away within 12 months.

The pay out could be used as you wish, whether that be to help pay off the mortgage or to enjoy with your loved ones.

Critical illness cover

Critical illness cover is a type of policy that pays out a cash lump sum to you if you’re diagnosed with a specified critical illness, such as heart attack, stroke or cancer.

The pay out can be used to help cover essential costs such as mortgage or rent payments, day-to-day living expenses, private medical treatment or private care.

Critical illness cover can only be taken out through Reassured when combined with a term life insurance policy for an additional cost.

If you take out both critical illness cover and life insurance as one single policy then you can only make one claim.

How to find cheaper life insurance with a heart condition

Lead a healthy lifestyle

This can include, not smoking or vaping (see below), regular exercise (at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week[6]), having a balanced diet low in salt, sugar and saturated fat, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing your alcohol intake and taking your prescribed medication.

Healthy living can help you to manage your symptoms, reduce your risk of serious medical conditions and could have a positive affect your life insurance premiums.

Not smoking

Harmful chemicals from smoking not only cause many heart-related problems but also brings an increased risk of many other medical conditions.

A smoker with a heart condition could pay a premium loading of up to 75% more than a non-smoker. Insurers also class vapers and e-cigarette users as smokers. If you quit today, after 12 months of being smoke-free, you could save significantly on your premiums.

Please note, you may still be classed as an ex-smoker by some insurers and experience an increase in your premiums compared to a non-smoker until you have stopped smoking for 5 years.

If you require further information please read our dedicated life insurance for smokers guide.

Apply as soon as possible

Delaying your application until another day could mean higher premiums. This is because the cost of life insurance increases as you get older.

Someone who’s in their 70s or 80s living with heart disease may experience heavily loaded premiums or may be refused cover altogether.

In some cases, an over 50 plan could be the best option as acceptance is guaranteed if you're aged between 50 - 85 despite any health problems.

Get help from an expert

A life insurance expert has a good understanding of the industry and can use their knowledge to help identify your most suitable options. They can help search the market and find the best quotes for your chosen policy.

About heart conditions

Unfortunately, heart and circulatory conditions are extremely common in the UK.

According to the British Heart Foundation (BHF):

  • Around 7.6 million people are living with a heart or circulatory disease
  • 2.3 million people are living with coronary heart disease
  • 1.4 million people have survived a heart attack
  • Around 49,000 people under the age of 75 in the UK die from heart and circulatory diseases each year[7]

Heart conditions like heart disease can lead to more serious health complications such as heart attack, angina and stroke[1].

Risk factors for heart disease include:

  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • High BMI
  • Family history of heart conditions
  • Age
  • Gender
  • Alcohol
  • Poor diet

Types of heart conditions

There are many different types of heart and circulatory conditions. Some conditions are inherited, while others can develop later in life due to lifestyle factors (as listed above).

Here are some types of heart conditions:

  • Angina
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Arrhythmia
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Diabetes
  • Endocarditis
  • Enlarged heart
  • Heart attack
  • Heart block
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Heart failure
  • Heart valve disease
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Myocarditis
  • Stroke
  • Tachybrady syndrome
  • Vascular dementia

Support services for people with heart conditions

If you’ve been diagnosed or are living with a heart condition, you can find support and information using the following links:

Find the best life insurance for heart patients 2024

While securing life insurance with heart disease or other type of heart condition can be less straight-forward, it could still be possible to find a suitable policy for your needs.

Whether you’ve been declined in the past or have a complex medical history, Reassured are on hand to help you navigate your options and compare quotes.

We have a team of dedicated life insurance experts, including a specialist impaired risk team, providing the support you need at absolutely no cost to you.

Make the most of our award-winning, no obligation comparison service today by getting in touch. It takes just a few minutes to fill in our online form.

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Life insurance with heart condition FAQs:

Does life insurance pay out for heart conditions?

Yes, life insurance does payout for heart conditions.

If you pass away during the policy term due to a heart condition or any other cause, and you’re up to date with your monthly premiums, then your policy will pay out.

Is a medical exam required for life insurance with a heart condition?

You may need to have a medical exam when applying for life insurance with a heart condition, depending on the severity of your condition and whether you have any other pre-existing health problems.

An insurer may request to see your medical records (with your consent) or that you undergo an exam if they need to gain a greater understanding of your health before they can offer you a policy.

This is because it’s important that they investigate all potential risks while assessing your application, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition, and decide the best outcome.

What if I’m declined life insurance with a heart condition?

If your application is declined or you’ve been refused life insurance in the past due to having a heart condition, then not to worry as you may have other options available to you.

Some insurers are more suitable than others for people with heart conditions. This means your application could be accepted with a different insurer.

At Reassured, our dedicated experts understand the criteria used by each of our insurers to assess risk, allowing us to filter out those which are most likely to offer you cover.

We also have a specialist impaired risk team that has a good track record of finding some form of cover for applicants who’ve been declined elsewhere.

Our award-winning broker service can compare quotes from major insurers as well as smaller specialists, giving us the advantage to help you secure your ideal cover.

Can you get life insurance with heart failure?

It may be difficult to secure standard life insurance if you have heart failure.

An applicant with heart failure may be considered high-risk and may be referred to a specialist insurer.

A specialist insurer is more likely to accept your application for life insurance, but at a heightened premium.

Fortunately, at Reassured we have an impaired risk life insurance team who’ve helped many people with a serious heart condition secure some form of cover.

Can you get life insurance after heart bypass surgery?

You could still secure life insurance even after receiving heart bypass surgery. However, it’s best to wait a period of recovery before applying.

The insurer will take into account the factors which have led to your heart surgery.

These may include your:

  • Type of heart condition
  • Smoking history
  • Weight (BMI)
  • Cholesterol and/or blood pressure levels
  • Family’s history of heart disease

Making positive lifestyle changes to improve your health may affect the success of your surgery and can lower your risk of developing further heart complications.

This will improve your chances of securing the cover you need, at a premium that’s within your budget.

Can you get critical illness cover with a heart condition?

Yes, it could be possible to secure critical illness cover with a heart condition.

Critical illness cover provides financial protection for you and your family in the event that you’re diagnosed with a serious illness, which can include heart conditions.

However, your personal circumstances and the severity of your heart problem will determine if critical illness cover is available and how much it may cost.

With most insurers, heart-related conditions may be excluded from your cover, which means you wouldn’t be able to claim for these reasons.

Sources:

[1] https://www.finder.com/uk/mortgage-statistics

[2] https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/average-uk-household-budget

[3] https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/advice/childcare-costs-how-much-do-you-pay-in-the-uk

[4] https://www.money.co.uk/press/uk-personal-debt-rose-a-third-in-2022

[5] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs/

[6] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cardiovascular-disease/

[7] https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-statistics

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