Pre-existing medical conditions is a term used to describe injuries or illnesses that exist before your life insurance policy starts, or as, you take out your life insurance policy. 

Some examples of pre-existing conditions include:

• Heart conditions, such as heart valve issues, angina, heart attacks, etc
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Stroke, including mini strokes, and/or brain haemorrhage
• Cancer
• Mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, paranoia, phobias, OCD, bipolar disorder and more
• Neurological disorders, kidney illnesses and breathing issues

While not exhaustive, this list should provide some insight into what constitutes a pre-existing medical condition.

You may be able to get life insurance, even if you have a pre-existing medical condition – but as with any policy, cover isn’t guaranteed and will depend on your individual circumstances. Insurance for pre-existing medical conditions can come with a higher premium. 

When you apply for a life insurance policy with pre-existing conditions, you’ll need to provide further information about your general health as part of your application. The insurer will review this information before deciding whether to offer you an insurance policy. 

An insurer needs to know about your pre-existing conditions to establish whether you are eligible for their cover. It is important to let your insurance provider know about your pre-existing medical conditions. Failure to provide accurate information about your medical conditions could invalidate your policy. If information about pre-existing medical conditions comes to light after you die, your beneficiaries might not receive a payout.  

You don’t always need a medical exam to get life insurance with pre-existing conditions. The requirement for a medical exam will depend on the information you provide in your application, alongside the provider’s own criteria. 

When you apply for life insurance, you will be asked questions regarding your:

• Age
• Occupation
• Smoker status
• Height and weight
• Medical history
• Alcohol consumption
• Travel and residency
• Hobbies

Depending on your answers, you may be asked to provide more information or to undergo a medical examination. If you’re in ‘good health’, the examination won’t affect the terms or cost of your policy.