Medical Conditions That Affect Life Insurance

Independent, FCA regulated advice on life cover where a medical condition affects the application. Whole of market, free first conversation, no obligation.

How a medical condition affects a life insurance application

Having a medical condition does not mean you cannot get life insurance. In most cases it affects the price or the terms rather than the availability of cover, and a good number of conditions have no effect on the outcome at all.

Insurers look at the specifics. The diagnosis matters, but so does how long ago it happened, how well controlled the condition is now, what treatment you are on, and whether there have been complications. Two people with the same diagnosis can receive very different terms.

Insurers also disagree with each other, sometimes sharply. One may decline an application that another accepts on standard terms. That is why applying directly to a single insurer and accepting the answer is rarely the best approach.

The guides below cover individual conditions in more detail. None of them replace a conversation about your own circumstances.

Conditions A to C

Conditions D to H

Conditions I to M

Conditions T to Z

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Common questions

Can I get life insurance with a pre existing medical condition?

In many cases yes. A great deal depends on the condition, how well controlled it is, how long ago it was diagnosed and what treatment you have had. Some conditions have no effect on terms at all.

Will a medical condition always increase the premium?

No. Some conditions are accepted on standard terms, particularly where they are stable and well managed. Others attract a loading, an exclusion, or a deferral until a period has passed since treatment.

Do insurers assess conditions the same way?

No, and the differences can be substantial. One insurer may decline where another offers standard terms. This is the main reason to compare the whole market rather than applying directly to one insurer.

Should I declare everything on the application?

Yes. Answer every question fully and accurately. Non disclosure, even when unintentional, is one of the most common reasons a claim is later disputed.

Speak to a protection adviser

FCA #938312

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.

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Needing Advice provides independent, FCA regulated advice on mortgages and protection. The guidance on this page is general information and not personal advice. Cover, terms and acceptance depend on your own circumstances and on the insurer, and any recommendation is based on a full assessment of your situation. This page does not name specific insurers, premiums or acceptance decisions.