What Counts as a Pre-Existing Condition for Life Insurance?
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue that has been diagnosed, treated, or investigated before you apply for life insurance. This includes conditions you are currently living with, conditions you have had in the past (even if they are now resolved), and symptoms you have reported to a doctor but that may not yet have a formal diagnosis.
The range of conditions considered is broad. It covers chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and arthritis; mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder; cardiovascular issues like high blood pressure and heart disease; neurological conditions such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis; and previous serious illnesses including cancer, even if you are now in full remission.
For a foundational understanding of how life insurance works, see our guide to what life insurance is.
Do You Have to Declare Pre-Existing Conditions for Life Insurance?
When you apply for life insurance in the UK, you have a legal obligation to answer all questions honestly and to the best of your knowledge. This is known as the duty of fair presentation under the Insurance Act 2015 (for business policies) and the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 for personal policies.
You only need to disclose information that the insurer specifically asks about. If the application form does not ask about a particular condition or symptom, you are not required to volunteer that information. However, insurers design their questions to be comprehensive, and most application forms will ask broad questions about your medical history.
How Do Pre-Existing Conditions Affect Life Insurance Premiums?
Different conditions have different impacts on your life insurance application. Here is how insurers typically assess the most common pre-existing conditions:
Can You Get Life Insurance With Diabetes?
Diabetes is one of the most frequently disclosed conditions, with over 4.3 million people diagnosed in the UK. Insurers will want to know your HbA1c level (a measure of blood sugar control), whether you manage the condition with diet, medication, or insulin, and whether you have developed any complications such as retinopathy or neuropathy. Well-controlled type 2 diabetes managed with diet and metformin may attract only a modest premium increase of 25% to 75%. Type 1 diabetes or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes may result in higher increases.
Can You Get Life Insurance With Depression or Anxiety?
Mental health conditions are extremely common, around 1 in 4 adults in England experience a mental health condition each year. Insurers have become increasingly sophisticated in how they assess depression and anxiety. For mild to moderate cases treated with medication and managed effectively, many insurers will offer standard or near-standard terms. The key factors are: the severity of episodes, whether you have been hospitalised, whether you have had time off work, and any history of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Can You Get Life Insurance After Cancer?
A history of cancer does not automatically prevent you from getting life insurance, but it is one of the more complex conditions to underwrite. With around 375,000 new cancer cases diagnosed in the UK each year, insurers regularly assess applicants with a cancer history. The insurer will consider the type and stage of cancer, when treatment was completed, whether you are in remission, and your prognosis. Some insurers may consider applicants who have been cancer-free for as little as two years, while others require five years or more.
Can You Get Life Insurance With High Blood Pressure or Heart Disease?
High blood pressure (hypertension) affects around 1 in 3 adults in the UK and is very common on life insurance applications. If well-controlled with medication, it often results in minimal premium increases. More serious cardiovascular conditions such as a heart attack, angina, or heart surgery will typically result in higher premiums and may require a postponement period of 6 to 12 months after a cardiac event.
| Condition | Typical premium impact | Likely outcome |
|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure (controlled) | 0–25% increase | Standard or near-standard terms |
| Asthma (mild) | 0–15% increase | Standard terms |
| Depression (mild, no hospitalisation) | 0–50% increase | Standard or loaded terms |
| Type 2 diabetes (well-controlled) | 25–75% increase | Loaded premiums |
| Type 1 diabetes | 50–150% increase | Loaded premiums, possible exclusions |
| Cancer (in remission 5+ years) | 25–100% increase | Loaded premiums, depends on type |
| Heart attack (12+ months ago) | 75–200% increase | Loaded premiums, postponement possible |
| Epilepsy (well-controlled) | 25–75% increase | Loaded premiums |
For detailed cost information by age and health profile, see our guide on how much life insurance costs in the UK.
How Does Underwriting Work for Pre-Existing Conditions?
When you apply for life insurance with a pre-existing condition, the insurer follows a structured underwriting process to assess your risk:
- Application form: You answer a series of health questions about your medical history, current conditions, medications, and lifestyle factors.
- Medical questionnaire: For certain conditions, the insurer may send a more detailed condition-specific questionnaire asking for clinical details.
- GP report: The insurer may request a report from your GP covering your medical records. This typically takes 4 to 8 weeks.
- Specialist reports: In some cases, the insurer may request reports from a specialist consultant who has treated you.
- Decision: The underwriter reviews all available information and makes a decision: standard terms, loaded premiums, exclusions, postponement, or (rarely) decline.
Best Life Insurance Brokers for Pre-Existing Conditions UK
If you have a complex medical history or have been declined by a standard insurer, a specialist insurance broker can be invaluable. These brokers have relationships with insurers who specialise in non-standard risks and understand which companies are most favourable for specific conditions.
If you are over 50 and struggling to find cover due to health conditions, a guaranteed acceptance over 50s plan provides an alternative with no medical questions asked. These plans guarantee acceptance regardless of your health history, though they come with lower maximum payouts and typically include a 12–24 month moratorium period before full cover begins.
What Happens at Claim Stage With a Pre-Existing Condition?
At claim stage, insurers routinely check the policyholder's medical records against the information provided at application. If a pre-existing condition was not disclosed, the insurer can:
- Void the policy: If non-disclosure was deliberate or reckless, the insurer can treat the policy as if it never existed and refuse the claim entirely.
- Proportionate reduction: If non-disclosure was careless (not deliberate), the insurer may reduce the claim proportionally. For example, if proper disclosure would have resulted in a 50% higher premium, the payout may be reduced by a third.
- Pay in full: If the non-disclosure was innocent and the insurer would have offered the same terms anyway, the claim should be paid in full.
For a comprehensive guide to the claims process, read our article on life insurance payouts and claims.
How to Get the Cheapest Life Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions
- Use a specialist broker. They know which insurers are most favourable for your specific condition and can present your application in the best light.
- Be completely honest. Full disclosure protects your family at claim stage. Never downplay or omit information about your health.
- Get your medical records in order. Having recent test results, medication lists, and consultant letters available can speed up the process.
- Apply to multiple insurers. Different insurers have different appetites for different conditions. A decline from one does not mean a decline from all.
- Consider guaranteed acceptance plans. If standard underwriting proves difficult, over 50s plans (if you qualify by age) or other guaranteed issue products provide a safety net.
- Review your cover regularly. If your health improves, you may be able to secure better terms on a new policy. Just keep your existing cover in place until the new policy is confirmed.
Life Insurance Pre-Existing Conditions FAQ
Yes. Most people with pre-existing conditions can get life insurance, although premiums may be higher or certain exclusions may apply. The outcome depends on the specific condition, its severity, and how well it is managed. Specialist brokers can help you find the best terms.
A pre-existing condition is any medical condition you have been diagnosed with, treated for, or experienced symptoms of before applying for life insurance. Common examples include diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, asthma, cancer history, high BMI, heart disease, and epilepsy. Even conditions now in remission or resolved must be disclosed.
Yes. Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012, you must answer all health questions honestly and completely. Non-disclosure is the number one reason claims are declined in the UK. Failing to disclose a condition could result in your policy being voided and a claim being refused, even years later.
Yes. With over 4.3 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, insurers regularly cover both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Premiums will typically be higher, and the insurer will want to know your HbA1c levels, how the condition is managed, and whether you have any complications. Well-managed type 2 diabetes may attract only a modest premium increase of 25–75%.
Yes. Around 1 in 4 UK adults experience a mental health condition each year, and most insurers will cover people with depression or anxiety. The key factors are severity, whether you have been hospitalised, how recently you were last affected, and whether you are currently receiving treatment. Mild to moderate cases often attract standard or near-standard rates.
Yes, though it depends on the type and stage of cancer, how long ago treatment ended, and whether you are in remission. Some insurers will consider applicants who have been cancer-free for two years, while others require five years or longer. A specialist broker can find insurers with the most favourable terms for your situation.
It varies enormously. Conditions like well-controlled high blood pressure or mild asthma may result in no premium increase at all. More serious conditions might result in premiums 50% to 200% higher than standard rates. In some cases, exclusions may be applied instead of premium increases.
Non-disclosure can have serious consequences. If the insurer discovers an undisclosed condition, they can void your policy from inception, refuse to pay a claim, or adjust the terms retrospectively. The consequences depend on whether the non-disclosure was deliberate, reckless, or careless under the Consumer Insurance Act 2012.
Not always at application stage. Many insurers use medical questionnaires initially. However, for larger sums assured or if your answers flag concerns, the insurer may request a GP report. At claim stage, insurers commonly check medical records, which is why full disclosure is essential.
Yes, in many cases. The insurer will want to know the type of heart condition, when it was diagnosed, any surgeries or procedures, current medication, and your most recent cardiac assessment results. Some conditions may result in higher premiums or a postponement period after a cardiac event.
A medical exclusion means the insurer will not pay a claim if your death is directly caused by a specific excluded condition. For example, if you have a history of liver disease, the insurer might exclude claims related to liver failure. The rest of your cover remains in place for any other cause of death.
Yes, this is strongly recommended. Specialist brokers understand which insurers are most favourable for specific conditions and can often secure better terms than you would find by approaching insurers directly. They can also help ensure your application is presented in the best possible way.
Yes, but it is generally harder than getting life insurance. Critical illness cover is more closely linked to health risk, so more conditions may be excluded or premiums may be higher. See our guide on critical illness cover and pre-existing conditions for detailed information.
Yes. A BMI over 30 (classified as obese) may result in higher premiums or additional medical questions. A BMI over 40 may make it more difficult to find cover from standard insurers. With around 26% of UK adults classified as obese, this is a common underwriting consideration. Your BMI is assessed alongside other health factors like blood pressure, cholesterol, and overall fitness.
Yes. If your health improves significantly after taking out a policy, you can apply for a new policy with potentially better terms. However, you should keep your existing policy in place until the new one is confirmed to avoid a gap in cover. Be aware that you will be older, which may offset health improvements.