Can I get life insurance if I have Hepatitis?

Yes, it’s absolutely possible to secure life insurance if you’ve been diagnosed with hepatitis.

While hepatitis is a general term referring to the inflammation of the liver, there are many different forms of the virus. This article covers:

Hepatitis can either be:

  • Acute (short term illness ranging from a few weeks until 6 months)
  • Chronic (when this infection lasts for 6 months or longer)

Acute cases of hepatitis are likely to have a lesser effect on the cover you can secure than chronic cases, as there’s less chance serious liver problems will occur.


It’s unlikely you’ll be declined due to a hepatitis diagnosis, but which strain of the virus you were diagnosed with and the severity of your symptoms can have an impact on the cover you’ll be offered.

In cases of a full recovery, it can be possible to secure cover on standard terms.

In life insurance ‘standard terms’ refers to a policy with a standard price premium with no loading due to poor health.

Due to the different underwriting processes used, each insurer will treat hepatitis differently, so by comparing quotes through Reassured we can help you to find an insurer from our panel who’ll offer you the most favourable terms.

We also have a specialist impaired life insurance team on hand to support applicants previously declined.

Why not get in touch for your fee-free and no-obligation quotes?

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Do I need to declare hepatitis during life insurance application?

Yes, if you’ve been diagnosed with the hepatitis virus you’ll need to inform the insurer at the point of application.

To make the application go as smoothly as possible when declaring a hepatitis diagnosis, you may wish to have all the relevant medical information to hand.

This can include:

  • The date you were diagnosed
  • Type of hepatitis
  • Results from any liver function tests you’ve had
  • Whether the infection is acute or chronic
  • Details about any liver damage that has occurred
  • Liver biopsy results
  • Details of any medicine or treatment
  • Whether any other medical conditions have occurred

This will allow insurers to get a better understanding of your diagnosis.


Many worry that declaring hepatitis on their application will lead to being refused life insurance, but this is unlikely to be the case.

While it can seem tempting to withhold information about your diagnosis, this can be detrimental in the long run.

Failure to provide the whole truth on your application form is known as ‘non-disclosure’. This can lead to a pay out being denied when you pass away, and any payments you’ve made will be wasted.

Not all life insurance providers will evaluate your application in the same way, so it’s important to compare quotes.

Using a broker, like Reassured, allows you to compare quotes from some of the UK’s best life insurance providers as well as smaller specialists so you can find the right policy, at the right price.

Keep reading to find out more about the different types of hepatitis and how they affect life insurance, as well as:

Hepatitis A

  • Transmitted through contaminated food and drink
  • A very mild strain of the virus which often resolves itself
  • Unlikely to be declined due to a hepatitis A diagnosis
  • Possible to secure standard terms after a full recovery
  • Any liver damage can lead to inflated premiums

Securing life insurance after a hepatitis A diagnosis is completely possible.

At the point of application, you may be asked to provide some further details, such as:

  • When you caught hepatitis A
  • Whether you still have the virus or have made a full recovery
  • If you needed to take and medication or receive any treatment

Out of the different variants of hepatitis, hepatitis A tends to have a shorter-lived period of infection which typically makes it easier to make a full recovery and become virus-free (with no long lasting, chronic liver problems).

This is because the infection is most commonly spread through consuming contaminated food or drink, rather than through transmission of bodily fluids or at birth.

For this reason, it can be relatively straightforward to secure cover.

If applying for life insurance while the hepatitis A virus still present, it’s likely that your application will be postponed until you have made a full recovery.

You may then be asked to undergo a blood or liver function test during the application process once you’ve recovered.

If you had hepatitis A prior to your application and have fully recovered, it’s likely that you’ll be able to secure cover on standard terms.

Not only can we help you compare quotes but life insurance through Reassured starts from just 20p-a-day † (for applications accepted on standard terms).

Hepatitis B

  • Transmitted through bodily fluids
  • Can be mild or can result in long term liver complications
  • Unlikely to be declined due to a hepatitis B diagnosis
  • Possible to secure standard terms after a full recovery
  • Any liver damage can lead to inflated premiums

It can be possible to secure life insurance after a hepatitis B diagnosis, however, it may not be as straightforward as with Hepatitis A.

The presence of hepatitis B is rare in the UK, but if you’ve traveled to South East Asia or some areas of Africa you could have been exposed to the virus.

This strain of hepatitis can also be passed between mother and child during birth, through injecting drugs or through unprotected sex.

When disclosing hepatitis B during the application process it’s likely you’ll be asked the following questions:

  • How you contracted the virus
  • If you have any long-lasting liver damage as a result
  • If you’ve made a full recovery or if the virus is still present
  • If you’re taking any medication or receiving any treatment
  • If you have any other health complications

While it’s possible to make a complete recovery from hepatitis B, it’s also possible for the virus to lead to more serious health complications, (such as permanent liver damage, liver inflammation or enlargement).

If hepatitis B is still present when applying for life insurance, it’s likely your application will be postponed until you’ve made a complete recovery.

This is so insurers can see whether the virus progresses into a chronic stage.

If you’ve made a full recovery from hepatitis B, it’s likely that you’ll be able to secure cover on standard terms.

If there’s any lasting damage to your liver as a result of the virus and/or you require continuous treatment, your application may need to undergo manual underwriting and your premiums may be increased due to the increased risk.

Our independent, FCA-regulated broker service can help you compare quotes to find a provider who can offer you a cost-effective solution.

Hepatitis C

  • Commonly developed due to drug misuse
  • Insurers may ask about your drug use
  • Actively using drugs will result in your application being declined
  • Being clean can make securing cover easier
  • Premiums can be inflated due to liver damage or previous drug use

Securing life insurance after a hepatitis C diagnosis can be possible but there may be some complications.

This is because almost 90% of hepatitis C cases are linked to drug misuse[1], most commonly through sharing needles.

When declaring a hepatitis C diagnosis at the point of application, insurers may ask about recreational, intravenous drug use.

If you’re actively taking drugs, it’s unlikely that you’ll be offered cover. This is because insurers deem drug use as extremely risky behaviour.

If you’re no longer using drugs, but have done so in the past, you may need to undergo some further questioning about your drug use as insurers will need to know:

  • What drug (or drugs) you took
  • How long you took them for
  • When you last used drugs

In order to be offered cover, you’ll need to have been clean for a certain period of time. For some insurers, this can be as little as 2 years, but this can vary between providers.

If you’ve been clean for a long period of time and have made a full recovery from hepatitis, with no long-lasting liver damage, you may experience minimal increases to your life insurance premiums.

If you’ve been clean for a long period of time but have some long-lasting liver damage as a result of hepatitis, it’s likely you’ll experience increased premiums.

This isn’t to say you can’t secure affordable life insurance, but comparing quotes will be essential in securing the best available deal.

To find out more about how drug use can impact your life insurance, you can read our comprehensive life insurance for drug users guide »

Hepatitis D

  • Can only exist if hepatitis B is present
  • Judged on the same criteria as hepatitis B
  • Unlikely to be declined due to a hepatitis D diagnosis
  • Possible to secure standard terms after a full recovery
  • Permanent or severe liver damage can lead to inflated premiums

Hepatitis D is extremely rare in the UK and differs from other variants of the virus as it can only infect those already infected with hepatitis B.

For this reason, securing cover after a hepatitis D diagnosis is often judged on the same criteria as a hepatitis B diagnosis.

Acute cases that result in a full recovery, with no long-term or permanent damage, will often be able to secure cover on standard terms.

While those that develop into a chronic condition, with long-term liver damage, will likely experience inflated premiums.

Hepatitis E

  • Can occur after eating raw or uncooked meat
  • A very mild strain of the virus which often resolves itself
  • Unlikely to be declined after a hepatitis E diagnosis
  • Possible to secure standard terms after a full recovery
  • Any liver damage can lead to inflated premiums

Securing life insurance after a hepatitis E diagnosis can be extremely straightforward.

This is because hepatitis E is a much milder strain of the virus (commonly developed after eating uncooked meat or shellfish) and is often self-resolving, making it easier to make a full recovery than other strains of the virus.

If you still have the virus or are still undergoing treatment, your application will most likely be postponed until a full recovery has been made.

Most cases of hepatitis E result in a full recovery so you should be able to secure cover on standard terms if there’s no damage to your liver.

While it’s rare with this form of the virus, if there’s any damage to your liver you should still be able to secure cover but it’s likely your application will need to undergo manual underwriting and premiums inflated accordingly.

Autoimmune hepatitis

  • Occurs as a result of being infected with hepatitis for a long period of time
  • A more severe strain of the virus
  • Often results in permanent liver damage
  • Securing cover can be possible through specialist insurers

Securing life insurance with autoimmune hepatitis can be harder than with other variants of the virus.

This is because autoimmune hepatitis often occurs as a result of living with the virus for a prolonged period of time and can result in severe liver damage as the immune system attacks the liver.

This makes the likelihood of developing further health complications even greater, which increases the risk in the eyes of the insurer.

While it may be harder to secure life cover while living with autoimmune hepatitis, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

It can be possible to secure cover through specialist insurers. Reassured work with specialist insurers who may be able to help you secure the cover you need.

Alcoholic hepatitis

  • Occurs as a result of alcohol misuse
  • Insurers will need to know about your symptoms and alcohol consumption
  • Drinking heavily can make it harder to secure cover
  • Abstaining from drinking can lead to more favourable terms

Due to alcoholic hepatitis being caused by overconsumption of alcohol over a long period of time, it can be hard to secure life insurance after a diagnosis.

This is because not only will insurers need to take into consideration the damage to your liver, but also your drinking habits.

If you’re still heavily drinking and showing signs of your liver damage worsening, you may be declined.

However, if you’ve stopped drinking following your diagnosis and your liver is showing signs of regeneration, you may be able to secure cover. Although this is likely to result in inflated premiums.

If you require more information on how alcohol misuse can affect life insurance, read our comprehensive life insurance for alcoholics article »

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Do insurance companies test for hepatitis?

Not all life insurance companies will test for hepatitis, but insurers do have the right to request that you undergo a medical exam before offering you cover.

If your application was postponed while you recovered from hepatitis, you may have to undergo a hepatitis test or liver function test to establish whether the virus is still present and if there has been any damage to your liver.

If you declare any previous drug use, then life insurance companies will often require more information and may require a full medical exam or a test for hepatitis.

How do life insurance companies test for hepatitis?

While you may not have to undergo a test for hepatitis, there are many ways in which insurers can test for hepatitis if a test is required.

The most common methods used include:

  • Full medical exam - A medical test can flag any conditions that have occurred or you may be at risk of developing. Your height and weight will be measured, your blood pressure taken, as well as a blood sample. It will typically last around 20 - 30 minutes
  • Blood test - A blood test can be used in screening for hepatitis by testing for antibodies
  • Liver function test - These are specific blood tests that provide information about the current state of your liver by measuring the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood.

Most life insurance policies (such as level term, decreasing term and whole of life insurance) will require you to provide medical information, which may lead to a medical exam being requested.

The only exception to this is an over 50s plan, which guarantees acceptance to those aged 50 - 85 without the need to provide medical information.

If you’re within this age bracket and have struggled to secure cover due to hepatitis, an over 50s plan could be an ideal option.

How much does hepatitis life insurance cost?

Those who’ve been diagnosed with hepatitis and have made a full recovery often won’t experience any loading to their life insurance premiums.

This means it can be possible to secure cover on standard terms.

As well as information regarding your hepatitis diagnosis, insurers will also need the following information to calculate your premiums:

  • Your age
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Smoking status
  • Policy type
  • Length of cover (the term)
  • Level of cover (sum assured)

If you’ve experienced long-term liver complications, or any other medical conditions, as a result of hepatitis you may experience increased premiums.

But rest assured it’s still possible to secure cost-effective cover that meets your needs.

By enlisting the help of a life insurance broker, we can help you to compare quotes from some of the UK’s leading providers, as well as specialist insurers.

We’ll take your personal circumstances into consideration and provide you with the most favourable quotes we can offer.

Simply get in touch to get your free and no-obligation quotes.

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Calculate how much life insurance you may need by filling in the costs you’d like your policy to cover.

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£137,934 is the estimated mortgage debt per household in the UK.

The purchase of a home is likely to be the largest financial commitment any of us will make in our lifetime. Your life insurance should cover your remaining mortgage balance to allow your loved ones to stay in the family home should anything happen to you.

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The average monthly household budget in the UK is £2,548 (that’s £30,576 per year), which is spent on transport, food & drink, utilities (gas, electricity, water etc), clothing, council tax and leisure activities.

With energy prices hitting a record high and the cost of living rising sharply in the UK, you may wish to factor in utility bills and family living expenses into your cover.

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The average personal debt of UK adults has risen to £34,566 (not including mortgage debt), with credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts being the most common forms of debt.

Factoring in any debts into your life insurance cover means that, if they need to be paid back from your estate after your passing, your loved ones won’t miss out financially.

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According to SunLife, the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £3,953 (with the overall cost of dying at £9,200).

Funeral costs have increased by 116% since 2004 and are a significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.

Source: SunLife.co.uk
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When factoring in cover for your children, you may wish to calculate the amount based on how long it is until they reach financial independence.

This could include childcare (£7,000 per year for part-time care), school expenses (£1,519 per school year for uniforms, lunches, stationary etc), as well as an additional sum for further education (this could be a contribution of up to £5,000 per year).

Sources: Daynurseries.co.uk, Primarytimes.co.uk & Savethestudent.org
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2 in 5 adults say they are relying on an inheritance to fund their retirement.

Factoring in an inheritance to your sum assured could allow loved ones to live a more financially comfortable life. Alternatively, you could leave a cash gift to a charity of your choosing.

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If you’re lucky enough to have your own savings or are part of the 30% of UK residents who already have a life insurance policy in place, this can provide financial protection for loved ones.

By entering your current cover, savings or death in service amount you can reduce the sum assured you require.

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Can I take out critical illness cover if I’ve been diagnosed with hepatitis?

As with life insurance, those who’ve made a full recovery from hepatitis should have no problem taking out critical illness cover.

Critical illness cover provides an additional safety net of cover by allowing you to make an early claim and receive an early pay out in the event you’re diagnosed with a serious illness (listed within the policy).

For those who’ve developed liver problems as a result of hepatitis, it’s likely some exclusions will be written into your policy such as liver damage, liver failure and liver cancer.

Critical illness cover covers common serious illnesses such as a stroke, heart attack and cancer so you’ll be protected against a wide range of new illnesses.

At Reassured we can compare life insurance with critical illness cover to help you find the right policy at the right price.

Is hepatitis covered by critical illness cover?

No, typically, most insurers don’t include hepatitis in their list of critical illnesses. Although some may cover the condition in additional policy extras such as ‘serious illness cover’.

Serious illness cover works in a similar way to critical illness cover by providing additional protection but will often include fewer illnesses.

While hepatitis isn’t included in critical illness cover, some associated liver conditions (such as liver disease, liver cancer and liver failure) are often covered.

So, if you develop hepatitis during the term of your policy and develop one of the above conditions as a result, you may be able to make a claim for that illness.

If you have hepatitis at the point of application or prior to application, it’ll be treated as a pre-existing condition and there may be liver related exclusions added to your policy.

Hepatitis and life insurance in summary

Ultimately, your ability to secure life cover after a hepatitis diagnosis will depend on:

  • Which variant of the virus you were diagnosed with
  • The severity of your symptoms
  • Whether the virus has caused any permanent or severe liver damage
  • If you’re still receiving treatment for liver damage
  • Previous drug use
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Any other pre-existing medical conditions (whether these are a result of hepatitis or not)

The table below shows the different variations of hepatitis and the likely outcome when applying for life insurance:

Type of hepatitis Likely outcome
Hepatitis A * Accepted on standard terms if fully recovered * Postponed application until full recovery is made
Hepatitis B * Accepted on standard terms If fully recovered * Application postponed until full recovery is made * Accepted with loaded premiums if there is long lasting damage to liver
Hepatitis C * Declined if hepatitis is as a result of drug use and still actively using drugs * Accepted with loaded premiums if hepatitis is as a result of drug use but drug use has ceased
Hepatitis D * Accepted on standard terms if fully recovered * Application postponed until full recovery is made * Accepted with loaded premiums if there is long lasting liver damage
Hepatitis E * Accepted on standard terms if fully recovered * Postponed until full recovery is made
Autoimmune hepatitis * Accepted with loaded premiums * Accepted through specialist insurer * Declined due to severe liver damage
Alcoholic hepatitis * Accepted with loaded premiums if you have ceased drinking and liver is showing signs of regeneration * Likely will be declined if still drinking heavily and liver damage is worsening


While these are examples of likely outcomes, everyone will have different circumstances that will be taken into consideration at the point of application.

An independent broker, like Reassured, can take these circumstances into consideration and provide you with the details of the provider from our panel who is likely to offer the most favourable terms.

We can help you to save time and money and we’ll also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

Hepatitis statistics

  • The UK falls into the lowest category of prevalence for hepatitis B with between just 0.1% - 0.5% of the UK population infected[2]
  • In the UK, 180,000 people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and 143,000 are estimated to carry the hepatitis C virus[3]
  • Between 40% - 50% of people with viral hepatitis are thought to be undiagnosed[3]
  • 90% of hepatitis C cases are linked to drug misuse[3]
  • Globally, hepatitis D affected nearly 5% of people who already have a chronic hepatitis B infection[4]
  • Hepatitis E is most prevalent in developing countries such as parts of Asia and the Middle East, Africa and Central America[5]

Compare life insurance quotes

Hopefully, this article has helped you understand how a hepatitis diagnosis works when applying for life insurance.

Comparing quotes is essential as not all insurers will treat hepatitis in the same way and you may be able to secure more favourable terms with one insurer than another.

You could spend time doing the research yourself or you could let Reassured save you time and money by sourcing quotes from a panel of top UK insurers.

You’ll benefit from over ten years of industry experience and we can help you to decode any life insurance jargon you may not understand.

Our service is FCA-regulated and we don’t charge a fee for our quotes, so why not get in touch?

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Sources:

[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hepatitis-c/causes/

[2] https://www.hse.gov.uk/biosafety/blood-borne-viruses/hepatitis-b.htm

[3] https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/statistics/

[4] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-d

[5] https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hev/hevfaq.htm

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