Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer Main symptoms include tiredness and/or anaemia, repeated infections, increased bruising and bleeding There isn't a cure for leukaemia, however this doesn't mean some people don't achieve long-term remission People in stages 0 to II may live for 5 to 20 years without treatment Over 70 out of 100 people will survive their leukaemia for 5 years or more after being diagnosed [2]

Life Insurance after Leukaemia [2025 Guide]

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Life insurance after leukaemia

Can you get life insurance with leukaemia?

If you’re currently living with leukaemia, you'll be declined for traditional types of life insurance.

However, if you’ve been in remission for several years and have reached a specified recovery period, you could have more options available.

Ultimately, your options can depend on what stage you’re at in your diagnoses.

If you're a UK resident between the ages of 50 - 85 you’ll be able to secure an over 50s policy regardless of your medical history due to not needing to disclose medical information, as this type of policy offers guaranteed acceptance.

In the UK alone, 28 patients are diagnosed with leukaemia every day (that’s 9,907 people a year)^[1].

If you're looking for help on life insurance during or after your leukaemia diagnosis, Reassured offer support and assistance through our specialist impaired team who focus on finding some form of cover for non-standard applicants.

What is leukaemia?

Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer
Main symptoms include tiredness and/or anaemia, repeated infections, increased bruising and bleeding
There isn't a cure for leukaemia, however this doesn't mean some people don't achieve long-term remission
People in stages 0 to II may live for 5 to 20 years without treatment
Over 70 out of 100 people will survive their leukaemia for 5 years or more after being diagnosed^[2]

Why use Reassured to compare over 50s life insurance quotes?

A free life insurance in trust writing service offered by Reassured on some plans which can help avoid/minimise 40% of inheritance tax
Free quotes which are personalised with no-obligation, helping you explore your options with no commitments
We have a specialist impaired team that can offer you support on finding some form of cover
Our friendly professionals can walk you through the application process
Over 50 life insurance starts from just 20p-a-day⁺(subject to your age and smoking status)

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What policy options are available to leukaemia patients?

If you’re currently living with leukaemia, then you'll not be able to secure traditional life insurance.

If you're a UK resident aged between 50 - 85 then an over 50s plan will be your only option to secure life cover.

Over 50s life insurance offers guaranteed acceptance, meaning regardless of your medical circumstances and if you fit the age range, you can secure a policy.

Over 50 plans key points:

Sum assured up to £20,000 (depending on your age, needs and budget)
No medical information required during application
Guaranteed pay out when you pass away
Insurer will calculate premium costs by age, smoking status and sum assured
Waiting period of 12 - 24 months (depending on the insurer, meaning the policy won’t pay out for natural causes, including leukaemia, during this time)
Over 50 Life insurance could start from just £5 through Reassured⁺

If you’re exploring your options for life insurance after recovery from Leukaemia, you may want to consider options like level or decreasing term life insurance or whole of life insurance, this can depend on your personal circumstances and budget.

Reassured have written a comprehensive guide on life insurance after cancer that can help you explore what options you have »

Do you need to tell insurers about your leukaemia diagnosis?

For traditional life insurance policies, yes. Unless you're applying for an over 50s policy, you’ll be asked for medical information and also family medical history during the application.

Insurers calculate your premiums based on a variety of factors, one being medical history, to accurately assess the level of risk you pose.

If applying for traditional policy types, insurers will ask about:

Age
Smoking status
Medical history
BMI
Occupation / lifestyle
Sum assured
Term length
Type of policy

If you're over 50 and have been diagnosed with leukaemia, when applying for an over 50s life insurance policy you'll only be asked about your age, smoking status and sum assured.

If you already have life insurance in place and are diagnosed during the policy term, you aren’t obligated to inform your insurer and it won’t affect your current policy.

How long after having leukaemia can you get life insurance?

Insurers will require a specified recovery period to pass before you can secure a policy.

This can vary between insurers, depending on the treatment you have had and what type of leukaemia you had been diagnosed with.

When looking for the right life insurance policy, it is crucial to compare different insurers and quotes to ensure you're getting the best coverage at the most competitive price.

Unfortunately, it’s highly likely you’ll be declined if you apply for a policy before this period or if you’re still living with leukaemia.

However, there are no medical restrictions when applying for an over 50s policy. If you’re a UK resident aged 50 - 85, at any stage in your diagnosis you may apply and you’ll not need to disclose your medical history to your insurer.

At Reassured, we'll take your personal situation into account and provide you with any available options that are applicable to you.

Will life insurance cover leukaemia?

Yes. If you already have an existing policy and pass away during the term, then your loved ones will receive a pay out.

If you had recently secured an over 50s policy but were currently in the waiting period, a pay out won’t be made if you pass away due to natural causes (including leukaemia) during this time.

Although, you’ll be covered for accidental death. Once the waiting period is over, you will be fully covered.

Can I be denied life insurance for leukaemia?

Yes, if you’re currently living with leukaemia or have not yet reached the insurers specified recovery period, you’ll be declined.

Unfortunately, you’ll be declined a policy if applying for standard life insurance policies, such as term life insurance and whole of life insurance.

If you're worried about being declined or have been declined previously, Reassured offer a specialist support service with our impaired life insurance team.

FAQs:

Will a family history of cancer affect my life insurance?

Maybe. If cancer is common in your family medical history, this may affect your premium costs.

Insurers will look at your medical history, as well as your family’s and if many immediate family members have been diagnosed with cancer, this may pose a risk to insurers - this also applies to other medical conditions not just cancer.

Will insurers ask about my leukaemia in the application?

Yes, during the application you’ll need to disclose your leukaemia diagnosis and answer additional questions, such as:

When/what age were you diagnosed?
What was the stage/grade of your cancer?
What treatment did you receive (and for how long)?
How long has it been since your last treatment?

Insurers could also request a medical exam or report from your GP.

What medical conditions are linked to leukaemia?

Other types of Cancer
Multiple sclerosis
HIV
Anaemia
Weight loss

Helpful information & support pages

Finding life insurance after leukaemia

Being diagnosed with leukaemia yourself or to see a loved one go through it can be a difficult and emotional time for anyone.

We understand it’s a hard time and life insurance may not be an immediate priority, however, if you were wanting to explore what options may be available to help protect your family if the worst were to happen, our professional agents are just a call away.

We can also offer expertise from our specialist impaired team who can inform you of any questions you may have regarding being declined or life insurance before/ after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

Get in contact today to see if there is a suitable option that fits your needs.

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