Life insurance with sleep apnea

You may be able to secure life insurance if you live with sleep apnea, however this may depend on the severity of your condition and how manageable it is.

Sleep apnea isn't classed as life-threatening, but it can affect both your daily life and overall wellbeing.

Sleep apnea affects around 1 in 8 people[1], this can be estimated to around 10 million people living with sleep apnea in the UK alone.

By getting in touch with our friendly agents, we can help you find a policy that meets your needs and provides the necessary protection for you and your loved ones.

Reassured’s friendly team can guide you through the entire application process and offer support when informing you on what policies are available.

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Sleep apnea and life insurance key points:

  • The definition of sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing stops and starts while you sleep
  • There are different types of sleep apnea, the most common being OSA (obstructive sleep apnoea)
  • 'Sleep apnea life insurance’ isn’t a specific product. It’s simply a term used to describe a life insurance policy that’s taken out by someone who has sleep apnea
  • If you’re a UK resident aged between 50 - 85 and you apply for a guaranteed over 50s life insurance policy, then sleep apnea (or any other medical conditions) won’t affect your life insurance as there are no medical questions
  • If your sleep apnea is manageable, insurers may not let your medical condition affect premium costs
  • You'll be asked medical questions regarding your sleep apnea during the application and insurers may even request a medical exam (unless applying for over 50s life insurance)

Does sleep apnea affect life insurance?

Yes, sleep apnea can potentially affect life insurance premiums or coverage.

Life insurance providers might view sleep apnea as a potential risk factor when assessing your policy.

This is because it's considered a pre-existing medical condition that can impact overall health.

Insurance companies assess the risk associated with insuring individuals with sleep apnea, as it can lead to other health complications such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.

This increased risk may result in higher premiums or limitations on coverage for individuals with sleep apnea.

Making sure you reveal any existing health conditions, such as sleep apnea, when applying for life insurance can guarantee that you receive the right pricing and coverage.

If you don’t, and you take out a policy based on false information, you may put loved ones at risk of not receiving a pay out in the future due to non-disclosure.

Here at Reassured, our experienced team is here to help you navigate the process and find a policy that meets your needs and budget.

What is the best life insurance for sleep apnea?

There is no ‘best life insurance’ for those with sleep apnea, but some policies may be more suitable to certain lifestyles and circumstances than others.

Listed are the most popular life insurance policies:

Level term life insurance

A policy that provides cover for a specified period of time (the term) and will pay out a fixed lump sum if you pass away during this time.

Level term life insurance supplies a fixed pay out amount, which means it could help to protect an interest-only mortgage.

Decreasing term life insurance

A policy that will provide for a specified period of time and will only pay out if you pass away during this time.

The pay out sum (sum assured) will reduce over the policy lifetime, which means it could help to protect a repayment mortgage.

Over 50s life insurance

This type of cover is different to usual life insurance as no medical information is required and acceptance is guaranteed to UK residents aged 50 - 85.

Instead, your premiums are calculated using your age, smoking status and sum assured.

Whole of life insurance

Covers you for your entire life, however it may not be a feasible choice for individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, as you will have to keep up with premium payments for the duration of your life to maintain coverage (and payments may be inflated).

Please note, in your application you will be asked medical questions (excluding over 50s policies), which may affect your eligibility or premium costs.

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Is sleep apnea considered a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, sleep apnea is generally considered a pre-existing medical condition by insurance providers.

This is because it's a chronic condition that often requires ongoing management and treatment.

A pre-existing medical condition refers to any health condition that an individual has been diagnosed with/received treatment for before obtaining a new policy.

Having a pre-existing condition can affect your policy costs and eligibility, depending on the severity and the insurer you're looking to take a policy out with (different insurers will have different terms).

If you’re condition is manageable and well-controlled, you may have less of an issue securing suitable cover.

Taking proactive steps to manage your sleep apnea can not only improve your health but also increase your chances of securing affordable life insurance protection.

When applying for life cover, it's essential to answer all questions honestly and to keep the insurer aware of any pre-existing medical conditions you have.

What will I be asked in the application?

When applying for life insurance with sleep apnea you may be asked a series of medical questions relating to your condition (or any other conditions you may have).

In some cases, your insurer may ask for a medical exam from your GP.

Please note, the insurer cannot access any information or contact your GP without your permission.

If you don’t give your permission, you won’t be able to continue the application as the insurers won’t have the necessary information to underwrite your policy.

Questions you may be asked include:

  • When were you diagnosed with sleep apnea?
  • What type of sleep apnea do you have?
  • What treatment are you currently receiving for your sleep apnea?
  • Have you experienced any complications or health issues related to your sleep apnea?
  • Have you made any lifestyle changes to improve your sleep apnea symptoms (weight loss, changes in sleeping position)?

You’ll also be asked some standard information, such as:

FAQs

Why do I need life insurance?

Life insurance is designed to financially protect your loved ones if you pass away, to help cover costs such as:

  • Funeral costs
  • Mortgage / rent payments
  • Household bills
  • Childcare costs
  • Any outstanding debts
  • Charity donations
  • An inheritance

Life insurance can also offer yourself the peace of mind that your financial commitments won’t be a burden to family and friends.

Can I get income protection with sleep apnea?

It could be possible to get income protection with sleep apnea, but it may depend on the insurance provider and the severity of your condition.

Some insurance companies may offer coverage with certain exclusions or limitations related to pre-existing conditions like sleep apnea.

If you ever are unable to work due to an injury or illness (not related to sleep apnea), income protection can provide coverage for up to 70% of your monthly income, ensuring that you have financial support during challenging times.

Reassured offer a UK whole of market income protection comparison service.

Will I need to do a medical exam?

Yes, it’s possible that you may need to have a medical exam, although this may vary by insurer and will depend on your personal circumstances.

Insurers may request this as it’ll help them to gain a better understanding of the condition. It also helps the insurance company assess your overall health and determine the level of risk associated with insuring you.

In some cases, insurers may not need to request a medical exam, but they may ask to see your medical records or a GP report.

If you have specific concerns or questions about the medical exam requirements, it's best to reach out to the insurer for more information.

Insurers can't access any of your medical records or contact your GP without your permission.

Reassured are able to guide you through your entire application process and offer support along the way.

Related topics to sleep apnea

Compare life insurance quotes with sleep apnea

When considering life insurance with sleep apnea, it’s crucial to compare quotes from different providers to find the best coverage that suits your needs.

While having sleep apnea may impact your premiums, exploring policies through Reassured can help you find cover that suits your needs and budget.

There are a variety of smaller specialist insurers who help cater suitable policies for those with medical conditions (through our advised team), so why not get in touch today and become one step closer to peace of mind.

Contact Reassured today for your free, personalised, no-obligation quotes and begin your life insurance journey.

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Sources:

[1] https://www.sleepstation.org.uk/articles/sleep-disorders/obstructive-sleep-apnea

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