Can I get life insurance if I have MS?

Yes, even if you’ve been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it could be possible to secure life insurance to protect your loved ones should the worst happen.

Your eligibility for life insurance and the cost of your premiums will depend on your personal circumstances.

Using a specialist life insurance broker, such as Reassured, is a quick and easy way to help you find the right financial protection for your family.

We compare multiple policies from top UK insurers, allowing us to identify the best options to suit your needs (without charging you a penny).

Simply get in touch today for your free quotes.

Keep reading this in-depth guide on MS and life insurance to find out everything you need to know. Topics covered include:

Compare Life Insurance for People with MS »

Do you need MS life insurance?

Most people could benefit from having some form of life insurance in place, especially those with financial dependents.

A life insurance pay out could provide a vital safety net for your family should anything happen to you.

Your policy could help to cover:

  • Mortgage or rental payments (average mortgage debt in the UK is currently £132,378[1])
  • Family living costs (expenses such as food, clothes, education, transportation, leisure activities)
  • Household bills (council tax, gas, water, electricity, broadband, telephone)
  • Outstanding debts (credit cards, an overdraft, car finance agreements, personal loans)
  • Additional childcare (full-time childcare costs on average £120.93 per week for a child entitled to 30 hours free[2])
  • Funeral expenses (the average cost of a funeral in the UK is currently at £4,141[3])

So, for peace of mind, get in touch with Reassured today to protect your loved ones’ financial future.

How much MS 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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Why use Reassured?

  • Compare life insurance quotes from leading mainstream insurers & smaller specialists (through our advised team) to find our best MS life insurance deals
  • We’re the UK’s largest life insurance broker * (with over 15 years of industry experience)
  • Our award-winning service is rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 80,000 reviews
  • All of our quotes are fee-free & without obligation
  • We have a specialist impaired team who work hard to find affordable life insurance for applicants with pre-existing conditions
  • Our dedicated UK-based experts can support you through the application process and help decipher any confusing jargon
  • We’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), so we always go above and beyond to put our customers first

Is MS a pre-existing condition?

Yes, if you’ve been diagnosed with MS before applying for life insurance then this will be classified as a pre-existing medical condition.

Pre-existing conditions must be disclosed during the application process to ensure you’re provided with the right cover.

If you withhold information or provide false details, this is known as non-disclosure, and it could prevent a pay out from being made when the time comes.

It could still be possible to secure life cover with a pre-existing condition. However, it can be more difficult to arrange some forms of life insurance.

Fortunately, we have a team of experts who can help you compare various policies to find you our most suitable options.

The MS Society estimate that there are over 150,000 people with MS in the UK, and that around 7,100 people are newly diagnosed each year[4].

How does MS affect your life insurance application?

When applying for life insurance with MS, you’ll need to provide additional information about your condition to the insurer.

This is so they can get a better understanding of your overall health and your likelihood of making a claim.

You may need to answer questions regarding:

  • The type of MS you have (relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive or primary progressive)
  • When you were diagnosed
  • When you last relapsed
  • Your current symptoms (if any)
  • The severity of your symptoms (for example, if you need to use walking aids)
  • Your treatment (such as any medication your taking)
  • If you have any other health complications (for example, difficulty swallowing or memory loss)

Applications for life insurance are assessed on a case-by-case basis, so your ability to secure a policy and the cost of your premiums will be determined by your own personal circumstances.

Insurers will consider the severity of your MS and the impact it has on your daily life, as well as other factors such as your age and lifestyle, when deciding the outcome of your application.

For those with primary progressive MS, it might be more difficult to secure some types of life insurance. However, specialist policies may still be available at an affordable price.

Comparing quotes can allow you to find a suitable insurer and the right cover based on your personal circumstances, why not let Reassured help you do this (free of charge)?

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MS life insurance real customer case studies

To give you an idea of what we do here at Reassured, we’re proud to show you some examples of how we’ve helped previous applicants with MS secure affordable cover.

Case study 1

This customer was a 39 year old occasional smoker living with MS. They secured £300,00 of standard cover to protect their family for £29.76 a month:

Details of applicantMrs A. Johnson
(Born in 1985 / Occasional smoker)
Multiple sclerosis detailsDiagnosed in 2013. No medication needed. No symptoms. Doesn't affect daily activities. No aids needed to assist mobility.
Reason for coverFamily
Policy details

Sum assured: £300,000
Policy type: Level term
Term length: 20 years
Provider: Legal & General

Monthly premium£29.76 a month

Case study 2

This customer was a 57 year old non-smoker living with MS. They secured £20,000 of standard cover to help cover their funeral for £52.76 a month:

Details of applicantMs K. Archer
(Born in 1967 / Non-smoker)
Multiple sclerosis detailsNo details specified.
Reason for coverFuneral
Policy details

Sum assured: £20,000
Policy type: Level term
Term length: 29 years
Provider: AIG

Monthly premium£52.76 a month

Please note, customers names have been changed.

Does life insurance pay out for MS?

Yes, life insurance provides your loved ones with a lump sum pay out if you pass away during the policy term.

As long as all the information you provided on your application was correct and you’re up to date with your premiums, then your loved ones will receive a life insurance pay out.

If you develop MS after taking out your life insurance and during the policy term, then you won’t need to inform your insurer of your new diagnosis.

Bear in mind, life insurance isn’t designed to provide you with a pay out if you’re diagnosed with a life-changing illness, such as multiple sclerosis.

If you’re looking for this type of protection, then you may consider critical illness cover or income protection insurance.

Can I get life insurance with family history of MS?

Yes, if you have a family history of MS it’s still possible to secure life insurance.

MS isn’t directly inherited, but those who are related to someone with the condition are more likely to develop it[5].

During the application process you’ll need to give details about your family medical history and this will be considered to help calculate the cost of your premium.

Your personal circumstances (such as how many family members have the condition, how close in relation they are to you and how severe the condition is) will determine whether this has impact on your cover.

Types of life insurance for MS sufferers UK

Life insurance options that could be available to applicants who suffer from MS are the same as for anyone else.

However, depending on the own personal circumstances, some options may be more suitable than others.

Your options include:

MS level term life insurance

Level term life insurance

Provides cover for a set period (the term) and will pay out if you pass away during this time.

The cover amount (sum assured) will remain level throughout the policy term.

  • Protection for a specified period (up to 40 years)
  • Fixed lump sum pay out
  • Ideal for young families to help cover large expenses and/or family living costs
  • Medical information is required, meaning MS could affect your premium and eligibility
  • Terminal illness cover included at no extra cost
MS decreasing term life insurance

Decreasing term life insurance

Provides cover for a set term and will pay out if you pass away during this time

The cover amount will reduce over the policy term.

  • Protection for a specified period (up to 40 years)
  • Lump sum pay out decreases overtime
  • Ideal to help protect a repayment mortgage (sum assured can reduce at the same rate)
  • Medical information is required, meaning MS could affect your premium and eligibility
  • Terminal illness cover included at no extra cost
MS whole of life insurance

Whole of life insurance

Provides life-time cover, guaranteeing a pay out to loved ones when you pass away.

  • Guaranteed pay out
  • Ideal for providing loved ones with an inheritance and/or helping to cover funeral costs
  • Medical information is required, meaning MS could inflate your premium and eligibility
  • Premiums will need to be paid for the rest of your life
Ms over 50 life insurance

Over 50 life insurance

Provides life-time cover and guarantees acceptance to UK residents aged 50 - 85.

  • Guaranteed pay out
  • Ideal for helping to cover funeral costs and/or leaving a small inheritance for loved ones
  • No medical information is required and MS will have no impact on your policy
  • Lower maximum sum assured than other forms of cover (often capped at £20,000)

To learn more about what life insurance options are available for applicants with MS, contact Reassured.

One of our dedicated experts can present you with our best available deals.

How much is MS life insurance?

The cost of MS life insurance will depend on your individual circumstances and the details of the policy you choose.

Due to your pre-existing medical condition, it’s possible that you’ll pay a higher premium (known as a loaded premium).

The level of loading will depend on the type and severity of your MS. It will also vary between different insurers.

During the application process you’ll need to provide information about your health and lifestyle, as well as additional details relating to your condition so the insurer can assess your level of risk and provide an accurate quote.

Information you’ll need to provide includes:

  • Age
  • Health
  • Smoking status
  • BMI
  • Occupation
  • Lifestyle
  • Type of policy
  • Policy term
  • Sum assured

Every insurer has a different way of assessing risk and the thresholds for loaded premiums will vary. For this reason, it’s essential to compare multiple life insurance quotes.

Alternatively, if you’re aged 50 - 85, you could opt for an over 50s plan. With this option you won’t need to provide any medical information and premiums start from just £5 a month + .

Compare quotes to find the right option to meet your needs at an affordable price.

Simply get in touch today to find our best deals.

Compare MS Life Insurance Quotes »

Best life insurance providers for MS patients

The best life insurance for you will depend on your individual circumstances and how much cover you need.

For example, if your condition severely impacts your daily life and you’ve struggled to secure standard cover in the past, a specialist insurer could be a suitable option.

A specialist insurer can offer a higher level of cover and a more affordable premium for those with pre-existing medical conditions compared to traditional insurers.

Alternatively, if you only require a small amount of cover and you’re aged between 50 - 85, then you may consider securing cover through an over 50s life insurance provider.

With an over 50s plan, no medical information is taken into consideration, meaning MS won’t impact the price you pay.

Lastly, if you have mild symptoms, you may wish to compare multiple mainstream insurers to find an affordable deal.

At Reassured, we can help you with all the options listed above.

We’re an FCA-regulated life insurance broker and we work with some of the best insurers for applicants with multiple sclerosis.

MS symptoms and treatment

Symptoms of multiple sclerosis vary from person to person, but some of the main symptoms you may experience include:

  • Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
  • Problems with vision
  • Numbness or tingling in different parts of the body
  • Dizziness and balance problems
  • Memory loss
  • Muscle cramps and spasms

There are various types of treatment for MS including certain medicines, physiotherapy, mobility aids, and cognitive rehabilitation.

It’s also important to look after your mental and physical health. The NHS video below explains the benefits of exercise as part of managing MS and safe ways you can increase your activity levels:

Other frequently asked questions about life insurance with MS UK

Will I need to undergo a medical exam for life insurance?

An insurer may request that you undergo a medical exam when taking out life cover, depending on the severity of your MS and personal circumstances.

In this instance, the exam will be arranged at a time and date to suit you, with a health professional at a local health clinic. The insurer will also cover the expense.

Alternatively, an insurer may request to see a copy of your medical records.

With your permission, they’ll contact your GP directly to obtain the information they need. If you’re unable to give your permission in this case, your application wouldn’t continue as the insurer wouldn’t have the necessary information to underwrite your policy.

What happens if I don’t disclose MS?

It’s essential that you’re honest about your personal circumstances when applying for life insurance.

Withholding information or giving false details (non-disclosure) could invalidate your policy and prevent a pay out being made to your loved ones when the time comes.

In the rare instances that life insurance doesn’t pay out (96.9% of all protection claims were paid out in 2023[6]) non-disclosure is the main reason for claims being rejected.

Therefore, telling your insurer that you have MS will ensure that your policy is valid and the pay out isn’t compromised.

Can I still get cover if I have been declined before?

Yes, even if you’ve been declined in the past due to your MS, it could still be possible to secure life insurance.

If you have been declined for life insurance it could be that your diagnosis was too recent or you were too high risk for a mainstream insurer.

If a greater period of time has passed since your diagnosis and your condition has stabilised, it may be worth applying again as you’ll be able to provide insurers with more accurate information about your condition.

Alternatively, if you have been declined by mainstream insurers, why not try securing cover with a specialist insurer?

What if I’m diagnosed with MS during the policy term?

If you’re diagnosed with MS during the policy term, you’re not obligated to inform your insurer.

However, it’s useful to keep them update to minimise any delays when it comes to your loved ones making a claim.

If insurers aren’t aware of your new diagnosis, they may need to investigate to ensure the condition wasn’t present when you took your policy out.

Your new diagnosis won’t impact your existing cover so ensuring your provider is up to date can help to provide you with peace of mind.

Can you get critical illness cover with MS?

Yes, it could be possible to obtain critical illness cover (CIC) with some insurers.

Critical illness cover provides you with a tax-free lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness (that’s listed within the policy).

It can be added to life insurance for an additional fee to allow you to make an early claim on your policy.

The funds you receive could help to replace lost income, pay for private medical bills and/or pay for carers.

As someone with MS, it’s likely that MS and other associated conditions will be excluded from your cover. This means you won’t be able to claim for these conditions.

How to find the best life insurance for MS patients

When arranging life insurance with MS, it’s important to compare a range of quotes to ensure you’re getting a great deal.

There are multiple options available to those with MS so why not let Reassured help you find the right policy to meet your needs at our best price?

We’re an FCA-regulated life insurance broker, providing you with all the information you need to make the process as hassle-free as possible.

We also work with a panel of insurers, including top UK providers and smaller specialists (available through our advised team).

Why not make the most of our award-winning service today and secure financial protection for your family?

Compare MS Life Insurance »

Sources:

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

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

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

[4] https://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/our-evidence/ms-in-the-uk

[5] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/multiple-sclerosis/causes/

[6] https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2023/5/protection-insurers-pay-out-6.85-billion-to-support-individuals-and-families/

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