Skip links

Life Insurance for Medical Conditions.

For anyone living with a pre-existing medical condition or for anyone who has suffered a medical problem in the past, getting protection insurance can be a difficult process – but not with The Insurance Surgery we offer a stress-free application process.

Life insurance |  Income Protection | Critical Illness cover | Private Medical Insurance

father and son looking out of window

Several factors will be taken into account when underwriters calculate the premium that you will pay. Life insurance can vary dramatically from one insurance provider to another because of different underwriting criteria depending on the condition.

For more information search for your medical condition below:

This list is not a complete list so if your medical condition does not appear then please do not hesitate to contact us.

e.g. Type ‘Diabetes’ to find type 1 diabetes, type 2 life insurance

Filter by Page Categories
Medical Conditions

Trending searches: cancerdiabetesHIVheart diseasemental health

What is a pre-existing condition?

As specialists in pre-existing conditions insurance, we are often asked at the application stage if a certain illness is classed as a pre-existing medical condition, and will therefore impact your policy.

A pre-existing condition is when you have, or have had, symptoms, medication, advice, treatment or diagnostic tests for a disease, illness or injury before taking out a life insurance policy.

Different insurance providers have their own definitions when it comes to pre-existing conditions, however, they usually include conditions such as

Insurance providers will also take into consideration the severity of the condition.

Pre-existing conditions are just one of many factors that insurers consider when you apply for cover. Other things, like your:

  • Job
  • Smoker status
  • Age
  • How much cover you need

There allso play a part, so we take every case on an individual basis as the costs can vary.

Can you get life insurance with a pre-existing condition?

Yes, life insurance underwriting is improving all the time and with advancements in treatment, it’s becoming easier to get financially covered even with pre-existing conditions.

When applying for life insurance with a pre-existing condition, the insurance provider may ask for more medical information, possibly including a report from your GP or specialist or a medical exam. This may lead to higher costs, as insurance providers consider the likelihood of you making a claim. Unfortunately, some life insurance applications are declined due to medical reasons.

However, applying for a life insurance policy through The Insurance Surgery may increase your chance of getting the life cover you need, as 70% of people who declined elsewhere get accepted through us.

Who We Work With

Our team of friendly life insurance experts will help you find the perfect policy for your pre-existing condition, taking into consideration your individual circumstances to protect your family and save you money. Our insurance partners include all the biggest brands and best insurers:

How will an insurer know you have a pre-existing condition?

Remember to be completely open and honest about every aspect of your health and lifestyle during the application process, as insurers have no other way of knowing about your pre-existing condition unless you disclose that information. It’s crucial to provide accurate and truthful answers to all the questions asked during the application.

You will also be asked things like if you:

  • Smoke or vape
  • Your weight and height to determine your BMI
  • Your occupation
  • Any family history of illness

Make sure you answer all the questions that you are asked correctly and truthfully, including the medical questions about any pre-existing conditions you may have.

If you don’t answer honestly when your family comes to contact your insurance provider regarding the payout, hoping to claim the financial support, the cover that you have been paying for may not be valid and they will be unable to claim the money owed.

What medical conditions affect life insurance?

Common pre-existing conditions that affect life insurance include:

  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Epilepsy
  • Obesity
  • Asthma
  • Mental health conditions

It’s important to disclose pre-existing health conditions, whether you have them now or had them in the past.

Price Promise Banner

What does the process of getting life insurance with a medical condition involve?

Each insurer will ask for specific information depending on your particular condition, alongside general health questions that they ask everyone when applying for a life insurance policy.

This will include:

  • Your age
  • Smoker status
  • BMI
  • Date of diagnosis
  • Type of condition
  • Medication 
  • Severity
  • Family History

For each condition they will then ask more specific questions, for example:

  • Diabetes life insurance: Insurers will ask about how your diabetes is controlled (medication, insulin, diet, etc.), your Hba1c/Mmol reading, medical record, any Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes related complications, etc.
  • MS life insurance: Insurance companies will want to know the type of MS (relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive), whether you need walking aids or not, any medication you might be on and how the MS restricts daily living for you.
  • Life insurance cover after cancer: Obviously different cancers bring about different symptoms/conditions/treatment, but generally insurers will ask about the type of cancer, the grade or stage, how long you have been in remission and the specific treatment you received.

Essentially, each pre-existing condition has its own subset of questions from the insurers. You can find out more about the specific questions you might be asked regarding your pre-existing condition by searching our A-Z of conditions above.

Will I need to have a doctor’s report to get life insurance? Is it possible to get life insurance without a doctors report?

It depends on your condition and the severity of that condition. At The Insurance Surgery, we see the following split of customers:

  • 80% get life insurance without a doctor’s report
  • 20% get life insurance after a doctor’s report or nurse screening

Will I need a life insurance medical exam?

It might sound like doctor’s reports and nurse screenings can draw out the process of getting life insurance. However, most doctor’s reports are received within a month of requesting them and nurse screenings are usually arranged very quickly and completed at a time and place that suits you.

Either way, rest assured, The Insurance Surgery coordinates all this for you with the insurer, chases the relevant/reports back in and gives all our customers an update on where things are up to throughout the process.

The decision for a doctor’s report is usually based on the amount of cover applied for and the answers to your application questions. Some of the questions that you’re asked may include:

  • Your age
  • Occupation
  • Smoker status
  • Height and weight
  • Medical history
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Hobbies (such as hazardous activities)

If you’re in good health, then it’s likely you’ll be offered life insurance on standard terms without a medical exam.

Will the medical exam for life insurance cost me money?

No – the insurer will usually pay for any costs incurred by requesting a medical exam. The exam would take place at a time and place suitable for you, after your life insurance application and before the policy begins.

What does a life insurance medical exam involve?

A life insurance medical exam will be with a doctor or nurse, in a place convenient for you. This could be at home, at your GP surgery or your local hospital. Every application is different so insurers may require a short health check or discussion about your medical history.

The check up will be nothing to worry about. It will feel like a routine health check with your GP, or a regular check up with your specialist if you do have a pre-existing medical condition.

Some of the things that might be checked include:

  • Weight and height measurements to determine your Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • Waist measurement
  • Blood pressure
  • Pulse checks
  • Urine testing for blood, glucose and protein

If you are asked for additional testing during your exam, this could include any of the following:

  • A test to confirm your smoking status (if you have told us you are a non-smoker)
  • Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test
  • Other tests for life insurance can include blood tests and/or an electrocardiogram.

*Price Promise Terms and Conditions:

These terms and conditions are promoted by the Insurance Surgery, whose registered office is at 2nd Floor Pickford Street Mill, Pickford street, Macclesfield, SK11 6JD.

To be eligible for a gift card you must be a UK resident aged 18 or over.

In order for you to receive the voucher, you will need to have a minimum monthly premium of £20 and the policy to be live for a minimum of three months.

You must make all payments to your policy each month and in full.

If the policy taken out falls into arrears or lapses, then you will not be eligible for a gift card.

This offer is valid until 31st March 2025. However, should we decide to extend the offer, we reserve the right to do so, updating our terms and conditions accordingly.

The gift card is issued via Lifestyle and can be used at more than 250 of the UK brands. For more details about the brands included, please visit thelifestylevoucher.co.uk. By clicking this link, you will be leaving the regulated site of The Insurance Surgery. The Insurance Surgery is not responsible for any content posted by a third party within a non-regulated site.

You will be sent a link to claim your gift card. The gift card will expire 2 years after being issued and any outstanding balance will be lost; No cash alternative will be offered.

We reserve the right to refuse issue of the gift card should we suspect foul play; We reserve the right to cancel or modify these terms and conditions at any time and at our sole discretion; Our Privacy Notice explains how your data will be used.