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💚 Mental Health & Life Insurance

Life Insurance with Mental Health You Can Get Covered

1 in 4 UK adults experience mental health problems each year. Depression, anxiety, and other conditions do not automatically prevent you from getting life insurance, the stigma is worse than the reality.

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Can You Get Life Insurance with a Mental Health Condition?

Yes, and in most cases, it is far more straightforward than people expect. Mental health conditions do not automatically disqualify you from life insurance in the UK. The vast majority of applicants with depression, anxiety, or other managed conditions are able to get cover, often at standard or near-standard rates.

Here is what UK insurers typically consider when assessing a mental health disclosure:

  • The diagnosis, mild to moderate depression and generalised anxiety are the most common disclosures and are treated favourably by most insurers.
  • Treatment type, whether you are taking medication, having therapy (such as CBT), or both. Active treatment is generally viewed positively.
  • Severity and stability, how long you have been stable, whether you have had any recent episodes, and if your condition is well managed.
  • Hospitalisation history, any psychiatric inpatient admissions will be considered, though they do not necessarily prevent cover.
  • Self-harm history, a history of self-harm or suicidal ideation will be assessed, with most insurers looking for a period of stability before offering standard terms.

The most important thing to know is that the stigma surrounding mental health and insurance is far worse than the reality. Millions of people with mental health conditions have life insurance in the UK right now.

Key fact: UK life insurers paid out £5.32 billion in individual claims in 2024, with a 97.9% acceptance rate. Having a mental health condition does not reduce the likelihood of your claim being paid, honest disclosure at the application stage is what matters.

For more information on how health conditions are assessed, see our guide to life insurance with pre-existing conditions.

Condition Comparison

How Different Mental Health Conditions Affect Your Application

The table below shows the typical insurer response for different levels of mental health condition severity.

Condition SeverityTypical Insurer ResponseWhat to Expect
Mild Depression orStandard or near-standardMost insurers will offer
Moderate Depression orSmall loading (25–50%)Cover widely available.
Severe MentalHigher loading (50–150%) orCover available but with
Complex Conditions(Bipolar,Significant loading,Cover still available

Insurer responses vary significantly. The terms you receive depend on your specific history, treatment, and the insurer's underwriting criteria. Comparing the whole market is the most effective way to find the best terms.

Important: Always disclose your mental health history honestly on your application. Failing to do so could invalidate your policy and result in a claim being denied. Insurers assess risk, they do not judge. Read more about life insurance with pre-existing conditions.
Your Situation

Finding the Right Cover for Your Condition

Every mental health journey is different. Here is what to expect based on your specific situation.

💧

Managed Depression on Medication

This is the most common mental health disclosure on life insurance applications. If your depression is managed with antidepressants and you have been stable, most insurers will offer standard or near-standard rates. Medication is viewed positively.

Standard rates typically available
🌪️

Anxiety Disorder

Generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder are all insurable. If you are managing your anxiety with medication, therapy, or both, and have not been hospitalised, most insurers will offer cover with little or no premium increase.

Most insurers offer competitive rates
🛡️

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder is an insurable condition. Insurers will consider the cause, severity, and treatment. Military veterans and emergency services personnel with PTSD can access cover, particularly through specialist providers who understand the condition.

Cover available, specialist broker helps
🔄

Bipolar Disorder

Life insurance is available for people with bipolar disorder, though premiums will typically be higher. The key factors are how well the condition is managed with medication, the frequency of episodes, and the time since your last episode. A specialist broker is strongly recommended.

Specialist broker recommended
🩹

Previous Self-Harm History

A history of self-harm does not automatically prevent you from getting cover. Most insurers require a period of stability, typically 2 to 5 years without incident, before offering standard terms. A specialist broker can identify the most sympathetic insurers.

Cover available after period of stability
🌿

Recovered Eating Disorder

If you have recovered from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, life insurance is available. Insurers will want to know how long you have been in recovery and whether you have had any recent relapses. A sustained period of recovery, usually 2+ years, significantly improves the terms available.

Recovery period improves terms

Worried about disclosing your mental health? An adviser can help.

Get matched with an FCA-regulated adviser who understands mental health underwriting and knows which insurers are most sympathetic to your situation.

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Costs Explained

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost with a Mental Health Condition?

Costs vary based on your condition, its severity, and the insurer. Here is a typical guide for £200,000 of level term cover over 25 years for a 35-year-old non-smoker.

£10–£18/mo
Managed Depression or Anxiety
Standard or near-standard rates for mild to moderate conditions that are stable and managed with medication or therapy.
£18–£40/mo
Complex or Severe Conditions
Higher loadings for conditions involving hospitalisation, complex diagnoses, or recent episodes. Premiums vary significantly between insurers.
Worth knowing: Antidepressants and therapy are viewed positively by insurers, they show you are actively managing your condition. Taking medication will not increase your premiums and may actually help your application. See our full guide to life insurance costs.

For complex conditions such as bipolar disorder or those involving a history of self-harm, premiums can vary enormously between providers. A specialist broker can often find rates that are 30–50% lower than what you would be offered by applying directly to an insurer.

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Real Reviews

What Our Customers Say

Emma J.
Emma J.
Norwich • Life Insurance, Depression
★★★★★
“Far easier than I feared”

I have been on antidepressants for four years and was terrified of applying for life insurance. My adviser was incredibly understanding and found me a policy at standard rates. I could not believe how straightforward it was.

David M.
David M.
Cardiff • Life Insurance, Anxiety & PTSD
★★★★★
“They understood my situation”

As a veteran with PTSD and anxiety, I assumed life insurance would be impossible. My adviser knew exactly which insurers were sympathetic and got me covered at a reasonable rate. Genuinely grateful for the help.

Laura T.
Laura T.
Glasgow • Life Insurance, Bipolar
★★★★★
“Finally have peace of mind”

With bipolar disorder, I had been turned down twice before. Lifecoverfor.com matched me with a specialist broker who found an insurer willing to cover me. The premium is higher than standard but having cover means everything for my family.

Chris R.
Chris R.
Brighton • Life Insurance, GAD
★★★★★
“Generalised anxiety didn't hold me back”

I have had generalised anxiety disorder for six years and take sertraline daily. I was convinced it would make life insurance unaffordable. My adviser found me £350k of cover for £16 a month at standard rates. The process was sensitive and completely stress-free.

Hannah W.
Hannah W.
Manchester • Life Insurance, Depression & Anxiety
★★★★★
“Honest about my history, still got covered”

I declared everything, two episodes of depression, ongoing anxiety, and CBT therapy. The adviser said honesty was the best approach and matched me with an insurer who accepted my full history. Paying £19 a month for £250k of cover. Such a relief.

Stuart G.
Stuart G.
Edinburgh • Life Insurance, OCD
★★★★★
“OCD was not the barrier I expected”

I have lived with OCD since my twenties and assumed no insurer would touch me. My adviser explained that well-managed OCD is viewed quite favourably and found me cover at just 15% above standard rates. My wife and kids are now protected and I feel so much better about the future.

Learn More

Related Guides

Dive deeper into the topics that matter when applying for life insurance with a mental health condition.

Pre-Existing Conditions

How health conditions affect your cover

How Much Does It Cost?

UK pricing breakdown

How Much Cover Do I Need?

Calculate the right amount

Life Insurance & Critical Illness

Combined cover explained

Life Insurance in Trust

Protect your payout from tax

Term vs Whole of Life

Which type is right for you?
Got Questions?

Mental Health & Life Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can get life insurance if you have depression. Most UK insurers will offer cover to applicants with depression, particularly if it is managed with medication or therapy. Mild to moderate depression that is stable typically receives standard or near-standard rates. The key factors insurers consider are the severity, treatment type, and whether there has been any hospitalisation.
Yes, anxiety disorders are very common and most UK life insurers will offer cover. If your anxiety is managed with medication, therapy, or both, and you have not been hospitalised for it, you can typically expect standard or near-standard rates. Generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic disorder are all insurable conditions.
Yes, you must declare any mental health conditions when applying for life insurance. Failure to disclose could invalidate your policy and result in a claim being denied. Insurers will ask about your diagnosis, treatment, and history. Being honest is essential, and the reality is that most mental health conditions do not prevent you from getting cover.
It depends on the condition and its severity. Mild to moderate depression or anxiety that is well managed typically receives standard rates or a small loading of 25–50%. More severe conditions, those involving hospitalisation, or complex mental health diagnoses may attract higher loadings. Some conditions may receive exclusions rather than loadings.
Conditions that involve a history of self-harm, suicide attempts, or psychiatric hospitalisation have the greatest impact on life insurance terms. Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and severe eating disorders may also result in higher premiums or exclusions. However, cover is still available for all of these, a specialist broker can help find the right insurer.
Most insurers look favourably on applicants who have been stable for at least 12 months. For conditions involving hospitalisation or self-harm, a longer period of stability, typically 2 to 5 years, may be required before standard rates are available. Each insurer has different criteria, which is why comparing the whole market is so valuable.
Taking antidepressants does not automatically increase your premiums. In fact, insurers often view medication positively because it shows the condition is being actively managed. What matters more is the underlying condition, its severity, and your overall stability. Many people on antidepressants receive standard life insurance rates.
Yes, life insurance is available if you have a history of self-harm. Insurers will consider how long ago the self-harm occurred, the severity, and whether there have been any recent episodes. Most insurers require a period of at least 2–3 years without incident before offering standard or near-standard terms. A specialist broker can identify the most sympathetic insurers for your situation.
Possibly. For many straightforward applications, insurers rely on the information you provide. However, if your condition is more complex, involves hospitalisation, or if you are applying for a large amount of cover, the insurer may request a GP report. This is standard practice and helps the insurer assess your application accurately. Your GP cannot share information without your consent.
Yes, critical illness cover is available for applicants with mental health conditions. However, it is important to understand that critical illness policies pay out for specific diagnosed conditions (such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke), they do not typically cover mental health conditions themselves. Your mental health history may affect your premiums or result in certain exclusions.
Having therapy or counselling is generally viewed positively by insurers, as it demonstrates you are actively managing your mental health. Whether you have had CBT, psychotherapy, or counselling, this is unlikely to increase your premiums and may actually help your application. Insurers want to see that conditions are being treated and managed.
Yes, life insurance is available for people with bipolar disorder. Premiums will typically be higher than standard rates, and some insurers may apply exclusions. The key factors are the frequency and severity of episodes, whether the condition is managed with medication, and the length of time since the last episode. A specialist broker is highly recommended for bipolar applicants.
Yes, life insurance is available for applicants with PTSD. Many UK insurers will offer cover, particularly if the condition is being managed with therapy or medication. The terms will depend on the severity, treatment, and whether there are any associated conditions such as depression or anxiety. Military veterans with PTSD can also access cover through specialist providers.
If you have a complex mental health history, involving hospitalisation, self-harm, bipolar disorder, or multiple conditions, using a specialist broker is strongly recommended. They understand which insurers are most sympathetic to mental health conditions and can present your application in the best possible way. For managed depression or anxiety, a whole-of-market comparison service should find competitive options.
If your mental health improves significantly after taking out a policy, for example, if you come off medication or are discharged from specialist care, some insurers may review your terms. However, unlike physical health changes, mental health reviews are less common. If you took out a policy with a loading, it may be worth asking your adviser whether a review is possible after a sustained period of stability.

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