A health condition doesn’t close the door.
The short answer
Many people with medical conditions can get term life insurance. Insurers assess how well a condition is controlled, treatment, and recent test results. Outcomes range from standard terms to a higher premium, an exclusion, a delay or, sometimes, a decline. You must answer health questions accurately, as this protects any future claim.
Who this cover may suit
- You have a long-term condition such as diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure.
- You have a history of mental health conditions.
- You have had cancer, heart problems or surgery in the past.
- You want to understand the process before applying.
When to consider another option
- You have a terminal diagnosis — term cover is not usually available, but specialist advice may help.
- You are over 50 and mainly want a small guaranteed sum — see over-50s cover.
- You smoke or vape — see cover for smokers too.
How it works
Tell us about you
A few simple questions about your age, health and what you want to protect.
Choose amount and term
Pick how much cover you want, its shape and how long it should last.
Review real options
See options based on your answers, with a real person to help if you want one.
What insurers look at
Insurers look at the condition, when it was diagnosed, treatment, how well it is controlled, and any complications. They may ask your GP for a report. The NHS explains many conditions in plain English. [13] Our underwriting guide explains the questions.
| Outcome | What it means |
|---|---|
| Standard terms | Accepted at the usual price |
| Higher premium (loading) | Accepted, but at a higher price |
| Exclusion | Accepted, but a specific cause is not covered |
| Postponement | Asked to reapply after a set time |
| Decline | Not offered cover by that insurer |
Disclose fully, calmly
Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care to answer accurately. [6] Full answers help a claim be paid smoothly. MoneyHelper explains how life cover works. [2]
Someone with well-controlled type 2 diabetes
Fictional example: Grace, 44, type 2 diabetes managed with tablets, recent results in range, £150,000 mortgage. No prices or outcomes are promised.
- Application
- Full answers, recent test results ready
- Possible result
- Standard or loaded premium, depending on insurer
- Cover
- Decreasing mortgage cover plus level family cover
- Trust
- Written in trust for her husband and children
Different insurers can view the same condition differently, so comparing matters. See our cost guide.
Tax and trusts
A policy in trust may keep the payout outside your estate, where Inheritance Tax is usually charged above £325,000. [4] HMRC explains how trusts are taxed. [5]
Cover with conditions at a glance
What works well
- Many conditions are accepted, often on standard terms.
- Insurers can view the same condition differently.
- Honest answers protect your claim.
What to watch
- Applications can take longer with GP reports.
- Premiums may be higher.
- Some causes may be excluded.
The FCA’s market study into pure protection found that competition generally works well, while noting many households remain underinsured. [3] Answer every application question accurately: under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 you must take reasonable care not to misrepresent. [6]
Employer death-in-service cover is valuable, but MoneyHelper notes it usually ends when you leave the job. [7] If a claim is ever disputed, the Financial Ombudsman Service handles complaints about insurers free of charge. [8]
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
Can I get life insurance with a medical condition?
Often, yes. Many people with long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression or a past cancer diagnosis get term life insurance. Insurers look at the details: how long you have had the condition, how it is treated, how well it is controlled and whether there are complications. Depending on those details, you might be offered standard terms, a higher premium or an exclusion. Some conditions may lead to a postponement or decline by one insurer while another insurer takes a different view.
Do I have to tell insurers about my health conditions?
Yes, if the application asks about them. Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012, you must take reasonable care to answer every question fully and accurately. You only need to answer what is asked, but you should not leave out anything relevant. If you are unsure whether something counts, it is usually safer to mention it. Inaccurate answers can lead to a claim being reduced or refused, which could leave your family without the money you intended them to have.
Will a medical condition make life insurance more expensive?
It might, but not always. Well-controlled conditions are sometimes accepted on standard terms. Where an insurer sees a higher risk, it may add a loading, which means a higher premium. The size of any loading depends on the condition, its severity and your wider health, as well as the insurer. Because insurers assess conditions differently, the same person may receive different offers from different insurers. Only insurers can give real prices after considering your answers and, where needed, medical evidence.
Will the insurer contact my GP?
Sometimes. For some conditions, larger amounts of cover or older applicants, an insurer may ask your permission to request a report from your GP or specialist. You have rights over this process, including the right to see a report before it is sent in many cases. The insurer may also ask you to have a short health check or tests. These steps can add time to an application, so it helps to have details of your treatment and recent results ready when you apply.
What happens if I am declined for life insurance?
A decline from one insurer does not always mean every insurer will refuse. Insurers use different underwriting approaches, and some specialise in particular conditions. You can ask why you were declined, and whether the insurer would reconsider after a set period, for example once treatment has finished. If a postponement is offered, it usually means reapplying after a stated time. You may need to declare a previous decline on future applications, so answer that question honestly too, just as you would any other.
Can I get life insurance after cancer?
Often, yes, depending on the type of cancer, its stage, the treatment you had and how long you have been in remission. Some people are offered cover on standard terms after a period of years, while others may be offered cover with a loading or exclusion, or be asked to reapply later. The NHS provides clear information on cancer and treatment. Insurers will usually ask for details of your diagnosis and follow-up, so having dates and letters ready can help the application move faster.
Sources
- Association of British Insurers — Protection insurers pay out £7.84 billion in claims in 2025 (2026-06-29)
- MoneyHelper — What is life insurance? (2026-09-28)
- Financial Conduct Authority — MS24/1.5 Market Study into the Distribution of Pure Protection Insurance Products: Final Report (2026-09-21)
- GOV.UK — How Inheritance Tax works: thresholds, rules and allowances (2026-09-28)
- HM Revenue & Customs — Trusts and Inheritance Tax (2010-11-08)
- legislation.gov.uk — Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 (2012-03-08)
- MoneyHelper — Life insurance through work (2026-09-28)
- Financial Ombudsman Service — Complain about a financial business (2026-09-28)
- Office for National Statistics — Inflation and price indices (2026-09-17)
- GOV.UK — Bereavement Support Payment (2026-09-28)
- legislation.gov.uk — Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (2003-04-10)
- GOV.UK — Funeral Expenses Payment (2026-09-28)
- NHS — Cancer (2026-09-28)
- GOV.UK — Trusts and taxes (2026-09-28)