Life insurance with a heart condition

Heart conditions affect the heart's ability to function properly. Common heart conditions include:

• Coronary heart disease (CHD).  This is when blood flow to the heart is blocked or reduced ^{Footnote [1]}.
• Atrial fibrillation. This happens when the heart beats out of rhythm and sometimes very fast ^{Footnote [2]}.
• Heart failure. This is a long-term condition which occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively around the body, usually because it has become too weak or stiff ^{Footnote [3]}.
• Arrhythmias. These are disorders of the heart rate or rhythm, where the heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or out of beat ^{Footnote [4]}.

This isn’t a complete list of heart conditions, and everybody’s situation is different. It’s important to speak to a doctor if you think you may have an undiagnosed heart condition.

These conditions can affect your overall health and life expectancy, so insurers will consider them when you apply for a life insurance policy.

It's possible to get life insurance with a heart condition, but it's important to be upfront and honest about your heart condition when applying. By letting the insurer know as soon as possible and providing them with all the medical information they ask for, you can be sure that your cover will be right for your needs and paid out properly.

No single life insurance policy will be suitable for everyone with a heart condition because each person's situation is unique.

However, some types of life insurance might offer you better cover and options. The right policy for you may depend on your financial situation, the amount of cover you need, and the overall complexity of the policy.

Here are some types of life insurance policies you might want to consider.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance provides cover for a specific period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. If the policyholder passes away, the policy only pays out during this term. With some policies, there is no cash-in value at any time.

These policies are generally more affordable than others and have a fixed premium, so they’re a low-cost option if you need to cover, for example, a mortgage or education costs.

Whole of life insurance

Whole life insurance provides lifetime cover. Regardless of when it happens, the policy will pay out once the policy holder passes away.

These policies are more expensive than term life insurance because they cover a much larger time period and are guaranteed to pay out if all premiums have been paid on time.

It’s not possible to set a single definitive price for life insurance with a heart condition, as insurers will usually look at each policy on a case-by-case basis.

If you have a heart condition, your life insurance could be more expensive. However, this isn’t always the case. Your insurer will set your premiums based on several factors:

• Type of condition. The more severe your condition, the more likely it is that your insurer will raise your premiums to cover the risk.
• Overall health. Other health conditions can impact the cover you can obtain.
• Lifestyle. Smoking, diet, and exercise habits can all affect your premiums.

Different providers can also have a wide range of prices and policies, and, depending on the policy you choose, these factors may or may not influence the price that you pay.

Applying for life insurance with a heart condition is easy. You will be asked if you have any pre-existing health conditions. It’s essential that you let the insurer know about your heart condition when asked, as, if you don’t, it could affect your loved ones’ ability to make a claim. Try to be as thorough as you can and provide every detail, however small it may seem.

You may also have to provide medical documentation, have a medical exam, or provide access to your doctor’s medical records. However, depending on the policy you choose, a medical exam to get life insurance isn’t always needed. Sometimes, a General Practitioner's Report (GPR) will be requested instead.

If you experience heart failure and it is not a pre-existing condition, life insurance policies will typically pay out. Most life insurance policies have certain exclusions, or conditions that they won’t pay out for.

Each claim is considered in relation to individual circumstances. It’s important to be open and honest about any pre-existing conditions you have, or it could affect your ability to claim.

If you don't have a financial adviser, you can find one at unbiased.co.uk. Please be aware that you may need to pay for this advice.

Securing life insurance with a heart condition may seem challenging, but it is possible with the right approach. Here are some tips to help you get the policy you require for your financial needs:

• Shop around for the best deal and compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best prices and terms that suit your needs.
• Provide complete and accurate information about your heart condition and medical information to avoid problems with claiming in the future.
• If you’re over 50, you could consider an over 50s life insurance plan. These plans often don’t require medical information, though the cover amounts are typically lower. Our Over 50 life insurance - subject to terms and conditions - has no medical checks or questions and provides lifelong protection. If you die within the first 12 months, and it isn’t an accidental death, we won’t pay out the cover amount, but we’ll pay a sum that’s equal to the premiums that have already been paid.