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Can I get life insurance with excoriation (skin picking disorder)?

Yes, it could be possible to get life insurance while living with a skin picking disorder.

As with other mental health conditions, insurers will take your personal circumstances into consideration during the application process.

Those with well managed symptoms may experience little effect on their eligibility and the price they pay.

However, those with more severe symptoms and/or additional mental health conditions could find it more complicated to secure cover.

Using an expert service, such as Reassured, allows you to compare multiple quotes at once. This gives you an opportunity to find out about your options and find a great deal.

Use our fee-free service today.

What is excoriation disorder?

Excoriation disorder, also known as skin picking disorder or dermatillomania, is a condition that causes those affected to continuously pick at their skin.

In the worst-case scenarios this can lead to bleeding or wounds/injuries that could become infected and impact daily life.

It’s categorised as a mental health condition, often an obsessive-compulsive disorder, as the action of picking is repetitive, hard to control and happens without thinking. It can also occur as a result of feeling stressed or anxious[1].

Did you know that Tallulah Willis, daughter of actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, is living with excoriation? She opens up about her condition on her social media, often sharing photos of what her skin looks like after a picking episode.

Excoriation vs OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) what’s the difference?

Excoriation and OCD both involve obsessive or compulsive behaviours. However, there are some key differences.

The main difference is that excoriation focuses specifically on the action of skin picking, whereas those with OCD can act out a wider range of actions and behaviours.

With both conditions the actions or behaviours can be carried out to ease intrusive thoughts or anxiety.

Do I need to tell insurers about my condition?

Yes, during the application process, you’ll need to let insurers know that you have a skin picking disorder.

You might need to answer some additional questions so that they can get a better understanding of your condition and how it affects your daily life.

This could involve questions such as:

  • When were you diagnosed with the condition?
  • How often do you experience symptoms?
  • How severe are your symptoms?
  • Are you receiving any treatment?
  • Do you have any other health conditions (both mental and physical)?

It’s important that you answer these questions truthfully and accurately so that your policy is right for your personal circumstances.

How can excoriation affect life insurance?

As excoriation is a mental health condition it could impact your eligibility or the price you pay for a policy (depending on your personal circumstances).

If your symptoms are well-managed, you might find that there’s little impact on your application.

However, the more severe your symptoms are and if you have other high-risk factors (such as having other health issues, having a high-risk job/hobby or smoking) you might find that you’re charged more for a policy or some insurers may decline you.

Comparing quotes is essential when applying for life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition.

This is because each insurer has a different underwriting process (the process of assessing applications).

So, if one insurer can’t offer you cover or gives you a quote that’s too expensive, you might find more favourable options elsewhere.

Why not compare quotes using Reassured? We work with leading insurers as well as specialist insurers through our advised team.

What policy options are available for those with excoriation?

There could be a range of life insurance options available to those with skin picking conditions.

The most common forms of life insurance include: 

  • Level term life insurance level term life insurance provides cover for a set period (for example, up to 40 years). It’s often used to help cover an interest-only mortgage and/or family living costs. You’ll need to give medical information during the application process.
  • Decreasing term life insurance decreasing term life insurance provides cover for a set period. It’s a popular choice for protecting a repayment mortgage as your cover amount can reduce at the same rate. You’ll need to give medical information during the application process.
  • Whole of life insurance - whole of life insurance provides cover for the rest of your life, paying out when you pass away (not if you pass away). It’s often used to help with inheritance tax planning (when a policy is written in trust) or to provide an inheritance for your loved ones. You’ll need to give medical information during the application process. It’s important to note that this is the most expensive form of cover.
  • Over 50s life insurance - over 50s life insurance works slightly differently to the options listed above as acceptance is guaranteed to UK residents aged 50 – 85 and you won’t have to answer any medical questions during the application process. It’s a popular choice for helping to cover funeral costs as the pay out is guaranteed when you pass away (once a specified waiting period has passed).
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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.

Source: Moneynerd.co.uk

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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.

Source: Nimblefins.co.uk

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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.

Source: Money.co.uk

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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.

Source: Moneyage.co.uk

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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.

Source: Scottishbusinessnews.net

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How much is life insurance with a skin picking condition?

How much you pay for life insurance with a skin picking disorder will depend on your personal circumstances.

You’ll be asked questions during the application process in order for insurers to calculate the price of your monthly life insurance premiums.

This includes questions about:

  • Your age
  • Your health and wellbeing
  • Your smoking status
  • Your occupation
  • Your BMI
  • Your lifestyle
  • Your chosen policy details

You’ll also be asked about your condition so that insurers can get to know your situation.

If your condition is well-managed and doesn’t have a big impact on your daily life, you might find that you’re able to secure cover on standard terms. This means there’s no price increases or exclusions added to your policy.

However, if you experience severe/frequent symptoms and or you have other high-risk factors, you might be charged more for a policy.

Comparing a variety of quotes helps you to find the right policy for you and your unique circumstances. Get in touch with Reassured today for your personalised quotes.

Other frequently asked questions about life insurance and excoriation

Can I get critical illness cover with excoriation?

Yes, it could be possible to get critical illness cover with excoriation.

Just like with life insurance, insurers will take your personal circumstances into consideration to establish your eligibility and the price you’ll pay for a policy.

If there’s any conditions listed in the policy that are linked to excoriation, you might find that these are excluded from your cover (the policy won’t pay out for this reason).

Critical illness cover provides an additional layer of protection when it’s added to your life insurance policy. It allows you to make an early claim if you’re diagnosed with a specific serious illness.

Can I get income protection with excoriation?

Yes, it could be possible to get income protection with excoriation.

Income protection pays out a percentage of your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

For this reason, it’s likely that your condition plus any other related conditions will be excluded from your cover. This means the policy won’t pay out if you’re unable to work due to these reasons.

However, you’ll be covered for a wide range of new illnesses and injuries.

Just like with other policies, your condition could impact your eligibility and the price you pay.

Will I be asked to take a medical exam?

During a life insurance application there’s the possibility that insurers will ask for a medical exam.

This can feel like a daunting request, but it’s nothing to worry about. Insurers ask for a medical exam when they need to get a better understanding of your health during the underwriting process.

The insurer will take care of organising and paying for the exam.

It’s also possible that they could ask your GP to see your medical records to get the information that they need.

Feel reassured that they can’t access this information without your permission. But, if you don’t give consent, your application may be postponed or declined as the insurer won’t have all the information they need to accurately underwrite your policy.

What if I have been declined for life insurance in the past? 

If you’ve been declined for life insurance in the past, don’t worry, there could still be options available to you.

Each insurer is different so if one has declined you, you might be able to find cover through another. Alternatively, if you’re struggling to find cover through mainstream providers there’s the option of a specialist insurer or an over 50s plan.

  • Specialist insurers – these are providers who specialist in offering cover to high-risk or non-standard applicants (such as those with a pre-existing medical condition). Their underwriting processes can be more lenient making cover more affordable and easier to secure.
  • An over 50s plan– an over 50s plan doesn’t require any medical information during the application process so any health issues you have won’t get in the way of taking out a policy.

Compare life insurance quotes with a skin picking condition

Hopefully this article has helped to reassure you that getting life insurance with a skin picking condition could be possible.

If you have any concerns about the application process, why not consider using a life insurance broker to help you through the process?

At Reassured we work with a panel of leading insurers, as well as specialist insurers through our advised team. This allows us to take your circumstances into consideration and present you with our most suitable deals.

We can also answer any questions you might have along the way and decode any confusing jargon.

Quotes are fee-free and without obligation so why not get in touch today?