Does Critical Illness Cover Arthritis? [2025 Guide]

Q: What is critical illness cover?

Critical illness cover is a form of protection that is typically added to a life insurance policy for an additional fee, which pays out tax free lump sum payment. This is designed to help you in a time of need when diagnosed with a life changing condition (that’s listed in your policy). If you’re diagnosed with a specified critical illness, such as cancer, heart attack or stroke, then you can use this payout to replace your income and cover essential costs if you’re unable to work. Key points: Provides cover for a specified period (the term) A pay out will be made if you pass away or fall critically ill during the policy term Medical information will be required during the application Available from 33p a day through Reassured (for a standard policy) Typically, in a standard policy, at least 30 conditions are covered . However, this can be more or less depending on the insurer.

Q: Can you get income protection with arthritis?

Yes, it could be possible to get income protection with arthritis, but your options may depend on a variety of factors, such as age, smoking status and the personal circumstances of your condition. Income protection could pay out up to 70% of your monthly income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, including conditions, such as arthritis. However, if you have already been diagnosed prior to application, the insurer may exclude claims related to this condition (you’ll still be covered from other illnesses or injury). Depending on the severity and insurer, you may experience inflated premiums or a declined application if the condition is pre-existing. Income protection can provide essential financial assistance during difficult times; you never know when it might be needed. It’s best to check the terms and conditions of any policy to see what’s covered.

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Life and critical illness cover
Does critical illness cover arthritis?

Is arthritis covered by critical illness cover?
What is critical illness cover?
Can I secure critical illness cover with arthritis?
When might arthritis be covered?
Why use Reassured to secure critical illness cover?
Can you get income protection with arthritis?
Can you get life insurance with arthritis?
How much is critical illness cover with arthritis?

Is arthritis covered by critical illness cover?

In most cases, a standard critical illness cover policy doesn’t pay out for arthritis.

This can include common types such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, unless the condition leads to permanent disability as a result of it. However, this would be defined in the policies individual terms.

What critical illness policies cover isn’t always the same, if arthritis is covered in your policy will depend on a few variables.

For example:

The severity of your condition
The type of arthritis you have
Whether you can continue your day-to-day life
The definitions used in your policy terms

You could add critical illness cover to your life insurance policy for an additional cost. Here at Reassured, we work hard to offer you our best possible deal. Simply get in touch for your free, no-obligation quotes.

Continue reading this 2025 guide to if you can secure critical illness cover with arthritis.

Explore personalised fee free quotes today »

What is critical illness cover?

Critical illness cover is a form of protection that is typically added to a life insurance policy for an additional fee, which pays out tax free lump sum payment.

This is designed to help you in a time of need when diagnosed with a life changing condition (that’s listed in your policy).

If you’re diagnosed with a specified critical illness, such as cancer, heart attack or stroke, then you can use this pay out to replace your income and cover essential costs if you’re unable to work.

Critical illness cover key points:

Provides cover for a specified period (the term)
A pay out will be made if you pass away or fall critically ill during the policy term
Medical information will be required during the application
Available from 33p a day through Reassured (for a standard policy)^º

Typically, in a standard policy, at least 30 conditions are covered. However, this can be more or less depending on the insurer.

Can I secure critical illness cover with arthritis?

Yes, it could be possible to secure critical illness cover if you have arthritis.

If you already have arthritis at the time of application, then it’s unlikely that the condition will be covered. You may also face exclusions for related illnesses.

Arthritis is considered a pre-existing medical condition (prior to application), and insurers typically don’t provide cover for conditions you’ve already been diagnosed with.

It's crucial to disclose all pre-existing medical conditions when seeking cover as failing to do so can invalidate your policy meaning a claim won’t be paid when the time comes.

Depending on the severity, you might be denied cover or face specific exclusions related to arthritis.

If you’ve already been diagnosed with arthritis before applying and are worried about being declined, Reassured’s specialist team can help you explore your available options to find you some form of cover.

When might arthritis be covered?

While it largely depends on the terms of the policy, generally, if you have no prior history of arthritis and your policy includes this condition, a claim for arthritis may be accepted if it results in:

Permanent disability (meaning you’re unable to continue working or completing daily tasks)
Loss of limbs / mobility issues (if it is severe enough to meet the policy criteria)
Joint replacement surgery

If you didn’t have arthritis at the time of taking out cover and receive a diagnosis once a policy is in place, you may be able to claim for related illnesses if they are covered in the policy.

Why use Reassured to secure critical illness cover?

We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 80,000 reviews
We’re the UK’s largest life insurance broker ^* with over 15 years’ experience
Secure up to £1 million of critical illness cover and life insurance depending on your needs and budget
We have a specialist impaired risk team that can help applicants previously declined
Our friendly experts offer support throughout the entire application process
We’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Personalised quotes for a range of policy options, that are fee free with no-obligation

Can you get income protection with arthritis?

Yes, it could be possible to get income protection with arthritis, but your options may depend on a variety of factors, such as age, smoking status and the personal circumstances of your condition.

Income protection could pay out up to 70% of your monthly income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, including conditions, such as arthritis. However, if you have already been diagnosed prior to application, the insurer may exclude claims related to this condition (you’ll still be covered from other illnesses or injury).

Depending on the severity and insurer, you may experience inflated premiums or a declined application if the condition is pre-existing.

Income protection can provide essential financial assistance during difficult times; you never know when it might be needed.

It’s best to check the terms and conditions of any policy to see what’s covered.

Can you get life insurance with arthritis?

Yes, in most cases, you could still secure life insurance with arthritis.

However, you may pay a higher premium or have your eligibility affected depending on your personal circumstances.

Life insurance pays out a lump sum to your loved ones if you pass away during the term.

Since it’s generally not considered a life-threatening condition, insurance companies are likely to view you as less of a risk. However, various other factors may influence your application and the determination of your premium rates.

Find out more details on this topic by reading Reassured’s guide to securing life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis.

How much is critical illness cover with arthritis?

The cost of critical illness cover when you have already been diagnosed with arthritis can vary depending on several personal factors, these can include:

Age
BMI
Smoking status
Health and wellbeing
Medical history
Occupation
Type and severity of your arthritis
Cover length and amount
If you’re adding on to a life insurance policy

Premiums are typically higher if you have a pre-existing medical condition due to the likelihood of a claim potentially being more likely.

Please note Reassured do not currently offer standalone critical illness cover.

Compare critical illness cover quotes with arthritis

If you’re living with arthritis or have a pre-existing medical condition linked to it, finding the right critical illness cover for you is important, even if it feels complicated.

You still could have options available. Even though the policy might not cover arthritis, you can still be covered policy in the event of another illness. At Reassured, we compare fee free no obligation quotes from leading UK insurers to help you find the best suited policy for your needs.

By exploring a range of different options, you can decide what suits you, your budget and lifestyle, all for our best price.

Having peace of mind could be more accessible than you think. Why not reach out today and see what is available for you.

Compare Life Insurance & Critical Illness Cover with Arthritis »