Expert UK Advice from Whole-of-Market Brokers
Getting life insurance when you have a medical condition can feel daunting — especially if you’ve already been declined or told cover will be expensive.
At The Insurance Surgery, we specialise in helping people secure life insurance where standard routes fall short. Our advisers work with the whole of the UK market, including insurers that don’t deal directly with the public, to find the most suitable cover for your circumstances.
Can You Get Life Insurance with a Medical Condition?
In most cases, yes — even if you have a pre-existing medical condition.
Insurers don’t automatically decline applications due to health issues. Instead, they assess:
- The type of condition
- How well it’s controlled
- Any treatment or medication
- Time since diagnosis or recovery
- Overall health and lifestyle
The challenge is that many people apply without advice, choose the wrong insurer, and are declined unnecessarily — which can make future applications harder.
That’s where expert broker support makes a real difference.
Why Medical Underwriting Is So Important
Life insurance applications involving medical conditions go through underwriting — a detailed risk assessment carried out by the insurer.
Without guidance, it’s easy to:
- Disclose information in the wrong way
- Apply to insurers with strict medical criteria
- Trigger avoidable declines or high premiums
Our advisers understand how different insurers assess different conditions. We know who is more flexible, who requires full medicals, and who may offer cover with exclusions or adjusted terms.
This knowledge helps us:
- Reduce the risk of decline
- Secure more competitive terms
- Protect your future insurability
Medical Conditions We Regularly Help With
We regularly arrange cover for clients with conditions including:
- Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Mental Health conditions (anxiety, depression, PTSD)
- Heart conditions
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Asthma and respiratory conditions
- Cancer (including post-treatment cases)
- Multiple medical conditions
If your condition isn’t listed, that doesn’t mean cover isn’t possible — it simply means your case needs individual assessment.
What If You’ve Already Been Declined?
Being declined doesn’t mean the end of the road — but what you do next matters.
Reapplying without advice can make things worse, as insurers can see previous decisions.
We help by:
- Reviewing why the application was declined
- Identifying insurers more suited to your medical profile
- Approaching underwriters before submitting an application
- Structuring your cover correctly from the outset
In many cases, we help clients secure cover after being declined elsewhere.
Why Use a Specialist Life Insurance Broker?
Comparison sites and direct insurers are designed for straightforward cases. Medical conditions are rarely straightforward.
Using a broker like The Insurance Surgery means:
- Access to whole-of-market insurers
- Guidance from advisers experienced in medical underwriting
- Fewer unnecessary applications
- Clear explanations, not jargon
- Ongoing support — not just a policy sale
Our role is to advocate for you, not the insurer.
Real-World Experience You Can Rely On
Our advisers handle complex, medically underwritten cases every day. That experience allows us to:
- Anticipate insurer concerns
- Prepare applications properly
- Communicate effectively with underwriters
- Save you time, stress, and uncertainty
We don’t believe in false promises — we believe in honest advice and realistic outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my premium be higher because of a medical condition?
It depends on the condition, severity, and overall health. Some conditions result in small increases; others may have exclusions or specific terms.
Do I need a medical exam?
Not always. Many applications are assessed using medical questionnaires or GP reports instead of full medicals.
Can I be refused completely?
Some conditions make cover more challenging, but refusal is far less common when applications are approached correctly.
Will insurers contact my GP?
Sometimes, yes — but we explain this process clearly before you apply.
Speak to a Specialist Adviser
If you’re unsure where you stand, the best first step is a confidential, no-obligation conversation.
Our advisers will:
- Discuss your medical history sensitively
- Explain your realistic options
- Help you decide whether and how to proceed