Can you get life insurance with pre-existing conditions?

Yes, it’s possible to get life insurance for people with pre-existing medical conditions, but it may come with certain challenges.

Insurers will assess risk based on the severity and nature of your condition, which could impact your premiums and the type of cover available.

Fortunately, with the help of an FCA-regulated broker, like Reassured, you could secure affordable life insurance with a pre-existing condition.

We compare multiple quotes from a panel of leading insurers providing you with our best possible deals.

Compare free quotes for life insurance with pre-existing conditions through Reassured today.

Keep reading this helpful guide to find out:

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Life insurance and pre-existing conditions guides

Our in-house protection experts have created an archive of medical condition guides to help inform and support you regarding your life insurance choices:

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What is a pre-existing medical condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is an illness or health problem that you’ve been diagnosed with before applying for life insurance.

It may be a condition that existed in the past or one that’s currently existing.

For example:

  • High blood pressure
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Epilepsy
  • Obesity
  • HIV
  • Depression

Do I need to tell the insurer about my pre-existing condition?

Yes, when applying for life insurance, it’s essential to be completely honest about any pre-existing medical condition/s.

This is because your health is one of the key factors that insurers consider when determining the cost of your life insurance (or if they can offer you cover at all).

Withholding information on your life insurance application, whether that’s to do with your medical condition or any other factor, is known as non-disclosure.

This could invalidate your policy and prevent a future payout to your loved ones if they ever needed to make a claim.

Therefore, it’s always important to be truthful about your circumstances, ensuring that the policy you take out is valid and provides the protection your family need.

Applying for life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition: What to expect

If you have a pre-existing medical condition, then your life insurance application may differ to that of a standard applicant.

This is because insurers will ask a few additional questions about your condition to gain a better understanding of your health.

As well as the standard health and lifestyle questions, an insurer may also ask the following:

  • When were you diagnosed with your condition?
  • How frequent and severe are your symptoms?
  • Have you had to take time off of work as a result of your condition?
  • Are you on medication? (If so, what medication?)
  • Have you received or are you receiving treatment? (If so, what treatment)
  • If you have recovered, when did you recover?

The questions asked will vary depending on the insurer and the type of condition you have.

Insurers may also request to see a report from your GP (with your consent) or that you undergo a medical exam before they can continue with your application.

This is so they can verify the details you’ve provided and offer an accurate quote based on your unique circumstances, if they’re able to offer you cover.

How much life insurance do you need?

Enter your financial commitments to understand the level of life insurance cover you require.

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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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What is the best life insurance for pre-existing conditions?

The best life insurance for someone with a pre-existing condition will be the policy that provides you with the cover you need at the most affordable price.

Your personal circumstances and the severity of your condition will influence which policy option is best for you.

The most common life insurance policies include:

Level term life insurance

Level term life insurance provides cover for a specified period and pays out a fixed lump sum if you pass away during this period.

Due to the fixed pay out, it could help protect large expenses such as an interest-only mortgage or ongoing family living costs.

Compare level term quotes through Reassured.

Decreasing term life insurance

Decreasing term life insurance (or mortgage life insurance) also provides cover for a set term, but the pay out amount reduces each month in line with a repayment mortgage.

As you pay off your mortgage, your policy sum assured will also decrease until both reach zero at the end of the term.

Compare decreasing term quotes through Reassured.

Whole of life insurance

Whole of life insurance offers lifelong cover, providing a payout when not if you pass away.

Monthly premiums need to be paid for the remainder of your life, which could make this a costly option for those with pre-existing medical conditions who may be charged an inflated premium.

If you’re over the age of 50, you could opt for an over 50s plan instead as this offers cover without requiring your medical details.

Compare whole of life insurance quotes with Reassured.

Over 50s plan

Life insurance for seniors with pre-existing conditions can be secured in the form of an over 50s plan.

This type of cover differs to traditional life insurance as no medical information is required and acceptance is guaranteed to those aged 50 - 85. This could be a good option if you’ve struggled to secure other types of cover due to your condition.

Over 50s plans start from just £5 a month through Reassured + .

Additional policy options:

Critical illness cover

Critical illness cover can be added to a life insurance policy for an additional cost, providing financial protection if you’re diagnosed with a life-changing illness.

It could still be possible to secure critical illness with a pre-existing condition but it’s likely the policy will contain exclusions.

Income protection

Income protection can be taken out alongside a life insurance policy and can pay out up to 70% of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

It’s likely exclusions will be added to your policy to prevent a claim being made for your condition.

Reassured can help you to compare quotes from the UK’s leading providers.

How much does life insurance with a pre-existing condition cost?

Life insurance with a pre-existing condition may cost more, but it’s still possible to secure an affordable policy.

The extent to which your premiums are affected by your condition will depend on what condition you have and the severity/frequency of your symptoms.

Insurers will calculate your life insurance premium using key information which you’ll need to provide during the application process. This includes:

  • Age
  • Smoking status
  • Health (including any pre-existing conditions)
  • BMI
  • Occupation
  • Policy type
  • Length of cover
  • Level of cover

Different insurers have different thresholds for increasing premiums due to medical conditions so it’s essential to compare quotes to find the most suitable provider.

Compare quotes from some of the UK’s leading providers to help secure your life insurance.

Simply get in touch, we're here to help.

How can I lower the price of life insurance with a pre-existing condition? [Top tips 2024]

  • Maintain a healthy weight - A high BMI or being obese can be classed as a pre-existing condition when applying for life insurance so, if possible, taking steps to lead a healthier lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight could mean a reduction in premiums
  • Quit smoking / reduce your alcohol intake - Smoking and high alcohol intake can both lead to increased premiums. Quitting smoking can help to reduce the price that you pay (although you’ll need to have quit for at least 12 months before you’ll be offered non-smoker rates). Similarly, reducing the amount of alcohol you consume (if this is more than 15 units a week) can also lead to lower premiums
  • Regulate your medical condition - If your condition is manageable, taking steps to ensure you’re living a healthy lifestyle could help to reduce your premiums. For example, some insurers will reward type 2 diabetics with cheaper premiums for managing their condition well (eating healthy, exercising regularly etc)
  • Take out cover soon rather than later - Your risk to the insurer increases as you age so applying for life insurance at an older age with a pre-existing medical condition could mean paying inflated prices (except with an over 50s plan). By seizing the day and taking out cover sooner rather than later, you could lock-in the lowest rate
  • Compare quotes - Comparing quotes will allow you to secure the right policy to meet your needs at our most affordable price. Why not let Reassured help you?

Are there any insurance companies that cover pre-existing conditions?

Yes, some life insurance providers specialise in providing cover to those with pre-existing medical conditions.

If you’re unable to secure cover through a standard provider, you may have better success with a specialist provider.

At Reassured, our specialist impaired life insurance team have an excellent track record of finding some form of cover for applicants who’ve been declined in the past.

We compare quotes from specialist providers through our advised team, as well as larger insurers to help you find suitable life insurance solutions.

Compare life insurance with pre-existing medical conditions

It could be possible to secure life insurance even with a pre-existing medical condition.

If you suffer from a medical condition, the cost of premiums can vary more when compared with a standard applicant - making it even more essential to compare quotes.

Reassured can help you to compare multiple quotes to find our most cost-effective policy. Our award-winning service is fee-free and without obligation.

Get in touch to receive your personalised quotes.

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Life insurance with pre-existing conditions FAQs:

Can I be denied life insurance due to a medical condition?

There could be a possibility that you’re denied life insurance due to a pre-existing condition, however, in many cases it’s possible to get some form of cover.

At Reassured, we use our expertise to help you identify the most suitable insurers from our panel and provide you with our best quotes.

If you’re declined by mainstream providers, we may refer your application to a specialist insurer.

Our advised team is here to help find specialist solutions for those who’ve been declined previously.

Why is life insurance important for those with pre-existing conditions?

As someone with a pre-existing condition, the need for life insurance only becomes more prevalent.

Life insurance can help to secure the financial future of your loved ones if the worst were to happen to you.

Without adequate cover in place could your loved ones:

  • Meet monthly mortgage or rent payments? (Average mortgage debt in the UK currently stands at £132,378[1])
  • Afford daily family living costs? (£157,562 is the average cost of raising a child to the age of 18[2])
  • Pay off any outstanding debts in your name? (The average total debt per UK household is £65,515[3])
  • Cover the cost of additional childcare (£120.93 a week is the cost of full-time childcare for a child entitled to 30 hours free)[4]
  • Cover the cost of your funeral? (The current cost of just a basic funeral is £4,141[5])
  • Receive an inheritance? (34% of adults in the UK have no savings or less than £1,000 in savings - an inheritance could provide your loved ones with financial support[6])

Speak to a friendly member of our team about securing the right life insurance to protect your loved ones. We can provide you with all the information you need to make a fully informed decision.

Will I need to take a medical exam?

You won’t always be asked to undergo a medical exam when taking out life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition.

However, insurers do have the right to request a medical if necessary.

Particularly when applying for life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, insurers will need to find out more about your condition.

They typically do this by:

  • Asking additional medical questions
  • Requesting a medical report from your GP (with your permission)
  • Requesting a medical exam

If you're asked to undergo a medical exam by an insurer, they'll cover the cost and it will be arranged for a time and date that suits you.

The exception to this is an over 50s plan where no medical information is required. Read our dedicated life insurance no medical guide for more detailed information »

What if I develop a medical condition during the policy?

Developing a medical condition won’t affect the validity of an existing life insurance policy.

As long as all the information you provided was correct at the time of applying for life insurance, your cover will remain intact even if you develop a medical condition.

You’re not obligated to inform your insurer of your new diagnosis, but you may wish to in order to make the claims process smoother for your loved ones.

Does critical illness insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

It could be possible to secure critical illness cover with a pre-existing medical condition.

However, it’s likely that your condition and any related conditions will be excluded from your policy.

For example, if you’ve previously suffered from a heart attack, this and any related conditions may be excluded - meaning you wouldn’t be able to claim for these conditions.

However, you’ll be covered for a range of other new critical illnesses (listed in your policy).

As with life insurance, you may experience inflated premiums for your cover due to the increased risk of a claim being made.

Sources:

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

[2] https://cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/policypost/Cost_of_a_child_2022.pdf

[3] https://themoneycharity.org.uk/money-statistics/

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

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

[6] https://yourmoney.lumio-app.com/uk-savings-statistics


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