Any life insurance company looking to provide you with life insurance with pre-existing medical conditions must decide whether or not you are an acceptable risk and that means taking into your account not only your immediate health status, but also considering your medical history and whether you have any pre-existing health conditions. If you suffer from a pre-existing medical condition, they will want to check on your general state of health before deciding what premiums to charge for the life insurance cover you require.
A pre-existing medical condition is effectively an illness or disease that you have suffered from in the past or for which you are currently receiving treatment. The range of health conditions and illnesses that an insurer would want to consider includes:
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm ('AAA')
- Angina
- Cancer
- Crohn's disease
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- Hepatitis
- High BMI or obesity-related conditions
- HIV
- Hypertension or high blood pressure
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Mental health issues
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson's disease
- Raised cholesterol
- Stroke
This list is by no means exhaustive, so if you have a pre-existing medical condition not mentioned here, don't assume that cover is unavailable to you.
Can I get life insurance when I have a previous illness or medical condition?
It is possible to get life insurance cover when you have had a previous illness or medical condition, and it pays to do your research before deciding if or how to proceed. Every life insurance application is reviewed and life cover may not be available in all circumstances.
However, not every life insurance company takes the same view, or has the same underwriting criteria, so you are likely to find that some insurers will offer cover, perhaps with an increased monthly premium, while others will not offer a quote.
What medical information will I need to provide?
As with many life insurance applications, the insurer receiving your application is likely to ask for detailed medical and lifestyle-related information from you, and from your GP. The insurer will need your permission for access to your medical records, and you will need to agree to this if the insurer is to offer you a life insurance quote.
You will also need to provide any information that relates to:
- When or how long have you had the medical condition
- Are you currently taking medication for the illness or condition?
- Is any further treatment or operation planned or necessary?
- Is there a family history of a medical condition?
- Is the medical condition stable?
- Your current and previous smoker status
- Whether you take or have taken recreational drugs
Will I need to undergo a medical examination for life insurance?
Depending upon the nature of your pre-existing medical condition, the insurer may ask you to undergo a medical examination by a healthcare professional. This is entirely voluntary but if you decline, then it is unlikely you will receive a quotation for life insurance.
How can QuoteRack help me with life insurance cover?
The financial advisers that QuoteRack works with specialise in providing quotations for life insurance where there are pre-existing medical conditions disclosed during the initial life cover application. So you won't be wasting your time submitting your details to insurance intermediaries who are not familiar with the issues raised by handling these types of cases. You can be assured that your circumstances will be handled with discretion and understanding by specialist FCA-regulated financial advisers.
Frequently asked questions
What happens after I submit my details for life insurance?
Once you have discussed your life insurance application with an independent financial adviser and have agreed to proceed, the IFA will submit your application to the life insurance company.
Your application will be reviewed and additional information, if required, will be requested from you and/or your GP. You will be asked for your permission before your GP is contacted.
Depending upon the outcome of the insurer's review, they are then likely to either offer you a quotation for life insurance cover, perhaps will additional policy terms and conditions attached, or they may decide that they are unable to offer cover.
Will cover for my pre-existing medical condition be excluded?
Some insurance policies are issued on the basis that any claim arising as a result of the known existing medical condition will be excluded. The insurer will let you know if this is the case before you agree to proceed. It means that if you have previously suffered from cancer, as an example, the life insurance policy is unlikely to pay out if you subsequently pass away as a result of that cancer.
Other life insurance policies are issued without this condition, if the insurer accepts that the risk of a claim arising from your stated medical condition is no greater than for someone else of a similar and lifestyle. The monthly premiums might be higher, but the cover will be the same as if you did not have a pre-existing medical condition.
Does my age affect the cost of life insurance?
Life insurance is intended to pay out in the event of your death, from whatever cause. A person in their teens or twenties is typically less likely to die than someone seeking life insurance over 50. An insurer will therefore expect that they are more likely to pay out sooner for someone aged 60 than for someone aged 30. This is one reason why life insurance premiums generally become more expensive as you get older. This is another factor, as well as any pre-existing medical condition, that affects how much you might pay for life insurance cover.
How do I get a quote for life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?
If you are looking for life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, then it is worth looking to QuoteRack to do the leg-work for you. QuoteRack FCA authorised and regulated insurance brokers and financial advisors are well-placed to offer the best deal for your particular circumstances.