Can I Get Mortgage Life Insurance With a Pre-Existing Condition?

I would like to cover my mortgage with life insurance so my wife can pay it off if something happens to me but I have a pre-existing medical condition, would the insurer just decline my application?

Question asked by Brendan Irvine
28/04/2019

When it comes to making a Life Insurance application it is very rare that no previous or current medical conditions are disclosed.

We help people every day with all sorts of pre-existing conditions as each insurer has their own unique way of deciding what they are willing to cover.

For example, it is very common for high blood pressure to be disclosed and insurers often offer standard premiums so long as it is well controlled and there are no other heart risks.

Naturally, if the medical condition is more serious the insurer may need to alter the policy terms, which might include premium loading to account for the increased risk.

I Have a Serious Medical Condition

If you have a medical condition that is imminently life threatening, like cancer, then it is unlikely any insurer will offer cover right now.

If the condition is serious but not imminently life threatening, like ulcerative colitis, the insurer may be able to offer terms but may require an additional premium to offer cover (exclusions are very uncommon with life insurance).

I’ve Had a Serious Medical Condition in the Past

It is very common for people who have had a serious condition in the past to want Life Insurance as they are fully aware of the risks faced. Whether the insurer is able to offer cover and, if so, on what terms would depend on the following:

  • The exact diagnosis of the condition?
  • How long ago symptoms were last experienced?
  • How severe the condition was (e.g. the staging with cancer)?
  • How long the condition persisted?
  • What types of treatment and medication were needed?

In these circumstances it is very likely that the insurer would need to request GP notes to get the full details before making a decision.

Can I Get an Initial Idea if I’d be Offered Cover?

Yes, if you are able to broadly answer the questions above an adviser can speak to the underwriters at all leading insurers to see which insurers would be willing to consider offering cover and, if so, which insurer is likely to offer the most favourable terms / premiums.

Our expert advisers do this every day for a wide range of clients with all sorts of existing medical conditions. They know exactly what to ask and will have a good idea which insurers will offer the most favourable terms based on your medical history.

Need Help?

We started Drewberry because we were tired of being treated like a number and not getting the service we all deserve when it comes to things as important as protecting our health and our finances. Below are just a few reasons why it makes sense to talk to us.

  • There is no fee for our service
  • We are independent and impartial
    Drewberry isn’t tied to any insurance company, so we can provide completely impartial advice to make sure you get the most appropriate policy based solely on your needs.
  • We’ve got bargaining power on our side
    This allows us to negotiate better premiums for you than you going direct yourself.
  • Benefit from our 5-star service
    We pride ourselves on providing a 5-star service, as can be seen from our 3735 and growing independent client reviews rating us at 4.92 / 5.

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