Life insurance with Drug Use and Addiction History

Acquiring life insurance with a history of drug use may present challenges but is still feasible. When reaching out to us, please provide the necessary information so we can match you with the right insurer:

  1. Current drug use
  2. Time since last drug use
  3. Type/classification of drug(s) used
  4. Mental health issues
  5. Any psychiatric or medical treatment

Life insurance policies typically stipulate that individuals in recovery must have refrained from using any substances, with the exception of cannabis, for a period of approximately two years.

Various types of drugs, including legal highs and substances with similar effects, are considered high risk for life insurance classification. Once we understand your situation, we’ll go over all the life insurance options that are available to you and tailor our support and guidance to fit your specific circumstances.

Critical illness cover with Drug Use and Addiction History

Currently, individuals can obtain critical illness cover for drug abuse as long as they are not actively using drugs.

The use of cannabis is generally seen as less risky compared to other drugs, so it’s not likely to affect your ability to get critical illness coverage. It is typically categorized as a smoker, so you can expect to pay the same premium rates as tobacco users.

A critical illness cover (CIC) policy provides a tax-free lump sum payment if you are diagnosed with a critical illness specified in your policy. Commonly covered items in critical illness policies include:

  • Cancer
  • Stroke
  • Liver or kidney failure
  • Heart attack
  • MS
  • Major organ transplant

When seeking critical illness cover for drug use, there may be specialist insurance providers and products that are better suited for certain individuals. We can assist in finding the most suitable options for you.

Income protection with Drug Use and Addiction History

Income protection may not be available for active drug users, particularly those who use substances like cocaine, heroin, or steroids. Some specialist insurance providers may consider cannabis based on a strict underwriting assessment.

Income protection cover for drug abuse will largely be determined by the specific substances used and the frequency of use.

When applying for life insurance that covers income protection, it is common for questions about current or past drug use to be included to assist underwriters in evaluating risk levels accurately. It is necessary to provide details about your personal history with these substances in order to give underwriters enough information for an informed decision.

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About the author

About the Author

Damian Youell

Senior Mortgage Broker & Company Director
10+ Years' Experience Whole of Market Complex Cases 560+ Reviews

Damian is the founder of NeedingAdvice.co.uk and the firm’s Senior Mortgage Broker. He specialises in helping clients across the UK with straightforward and complex mortgage cases, including self-employed applications, adverse credit, buy-to-let, remortgages and first-time buyer mortgages.

Alongside mortgage advice, Damian also supports business owners with protection planning, including Relevant Life Policies, Shareholder Protection and Keyperson Cover.

Direct: 07912 076990  •  Office: 0800 612 3367
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