Can you get life insurance when pregnant?

Yes, you can get life insurance when pregnant. Expecting a baby won’t affect your eligibility or the cost of your premiums.

You can take out a policy at any point during your pregnancy to protect your growing family and put your mind at ease about their financial future.

In this guide, we explain all you need to know about securing life insurance while pregnant, whether you’re expecting your first child or adding to your clan.

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Should I get life insurance when pregnant?

Many people take out life insurance when pregnant as part of preparing financially for their expanding family. You don’t have to wait until you’re already a parent to buy cover.

Along with stocking up on nappies and baby-proofing your home, arranging life insurance can be ticked off the list before your little one arrives.

It’s an awful thought, but around 111 dependent children are bereaved of a parent every single day in the UK[1].

Life insurance can bring you peace of mind knowing that your family will be taken care of financially if anything happened to you.

A life insurance pay out can help them to cover essential costs such as:

  • Mortgage repayments or rent - In 2022, the average mortgage debt in the UK was £142,755[2] and to rent it costs on average £11,675 per year[3]
  • Family living costs - UK households spend on average £536 a week on living expenses such as bills, council tax, transport and food[3]
  • Childcare and school costs - A full-time nursery place costs on average £285.31 per week[4] and it can cost around £1,519 a year to send one child to school[5]
  • Loans and credit cards in your name - The average UK personal debt is £34,566[6]
  • Funeral costs - The average UK funeral costs £3,953 and the total cost of dying is £9,200[7]

Even if you’re not planning to return to work for some time after having the baby and therefore not earning an income, your absence could still bring about financial worries.

If the worst happened, your partner or chosen guardian may need to reduce their working hours or take time off work to care for the children, losing essential income.

Having life insurance in place can provide your loved ones with a vital financial safety net if you were no longer around to support them.

Do I need to tell an insurer I’m pregnant?

Yes, when applying for life insurance during pregnancy, it’s sensible to tell the insurer that you’re pregnant.

You’ll also need to tell the insurer if you’ve been diagnosed with any pregnancy related medical conditions, such as:

While pregnancy complications tend to be short-term, it’s still important to disclose these during the application process.

Any non-disclosure will invalidate your policy, preventing your family from making a claim in the future if they need to.

In any case, telling the insurer about your pregnancy will allow them to better help you arrange the right cover to suit your needs.

Do I need to tell my life insurance if I have a baby?

No, if you already have life insurance in place, you don’t have to tell your existing insurer about your pregnancy or that you’ve had a baby.

Although, having a child or more children may be a good time to re-evaluate your existing cover to make sure that it suits your new circumstances.

Some insurers offer a ‘life change benefit’ which allows you to increase your cover amount at certain life events (such as becoming a parent) without you having to provide further medical information.

If this benefit is available with your policy, details will be found in your policy terms document, or you can contact your insurer directly.

You’ll need to provide evidence of your baby being born before you can use the life change benefit, and other conditions will apply.

Can you get life insurance when pregnant with medical conditions?

Yes, you can still get life insurance when pregnant even if you’ve developed a medical condition during your pregnancy.

However, depending on the condition you have and whether other risk factors are present, an insurer could decide to:

  • Temporarily increase the cost of your premiums or;
  • Postpone your application until the baby is born or;
  • Decline your application altogether if the risk is too great

In the unlikely event that your application is declined, you can still apply with other insurers who may accept your application.

If you have a pregnancy-related health problem your application may be delayed until your health has returned to normal after your pregnancy.

Applying for life insurance when pregnant

In most cases, applying for life insurance when pregnant is no different to applying for life insurance as a parent.

You’ll still go through the standard application process where you can expect to answer questions about your health and lifestyle.

You won’t be asked any additional questions about your pregnancy unless you have a pregnancy related medical condition.

The application will include questions about your:

  • Smoking status - Even if you’ve quit smoking since becoming pregnant, you’ll still be considered a smoker by insurers if you’ve used cigarettes, nicotine products or a smoking device in the past 12 months
  • Weight - Insurers will ask for your pre-pregnancy weight as well as your height. By using this information, they can work out your BMI (Body Mass Index) to determine how healthy your usual weight is and whether it’s a risk factor
  • Alcohol consumption - Your alcohol consumption is likely to be very little or zero at the moment, but during the application process you may be asked some questions about your drinking habits prior to your pregnancy
  • Occupation & hobbies - Insurers will ask about your job role and whether you partake in any dangerous hobbies. If you normally carry out high-risk duties at work or have an extreme hobby, then it’s important to disclose this information, even if you’re taking a break from these activities
  • Health - When applying for life insurance, you’ll need to disclose if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, including those that have developed during your pregnancy. As mentioned, if you’re suffering with a pregnancy complication such as gestational diabetes or anaemia, this could affect the outcome of your application. For example, it could be postponed or declined depending on the risk involved.

If you have any concerns about applying for life insurance during pregnancy or even as a parent, contact Reassured.

Our experts can help answer any questions you may have and explain any part of the process you’re unsure of.

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Types of life insurance for expectant parents

There are different types of life insurance you can buy, so you can choose one that best meets your needs.

Term life insurance, which includes level term and decreasing term policies, is a popular option among those who are starting a family.

Level term cover when pregnant

Level term life insurance

This type of policy is commonly taken out to help cover fixed debts, such as an interest-only mortgage, as well as help to cover family living costs and education costs.

Policy key features:

  • Pays out a lump sum if you pass away during a set term (2 - 40 years)
  • Fixed sum assured up to £1,000,000
  • Free terminal illness cover (receive an early pay out if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness)
  • Affordable premiums from 20p-a-day †
Decreasing term cover when pregnant

Decreasing term life insurance

Also known as ‘mortgage life insurance’, this type of policy is often taken out to help cover a repayment mortgage, or other debts that reduce over time. It’s typically the cheapest form of cover, so ideal for families on a budget.

Policy key features:

  • Pays out a lump sum if you pass away during a set term (2 - 40 years)
  • Sum assured up to £1,000,000 that decreases over the set term
  • Free terminal illness cover (receive an early pay out if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness)
  • Affordable premiums from 20p-a-day ¥
Family income benefit when pregnant

Family income benefit

Family income benefit is an affordable type of cover that pays out in monthly instalments if you were to pass away, replicating a lost income. It can help to cover essential household costs, childcare fees, and mortgage or rent repayments.

Policy key features:

  • Pays out in monthly instalments if you pass away during a set term (2 - 40 years)
  • Monthly tax-free payments up to £5,000
  • Free terminal illness cover
  • Affordable premiums through Reassured from 20p-a-day ¤
Whole of life insurance when pregnant

Whole of life insurance

As the name suggests, this type of policy provides cover for the whole of your life. The funds can be used to help cover outstanding debts, family living costs, funeral expenses and inheritance tax.

Policy key features:

  • Guarantees to pay out when you pass away
  • Fixed sum assured up to £1,000,000
  • Typically, more expensive than other types of life insurance, with premiums starting from 27p-a-day through Reassured ±

What about joint life insurance?

If you’re in a couple, you could take out any of the policies described above on a joint basis to save yourself money.

A joint life insurance policy can cover you and your partner at the same time and will pay out if either of you passes away during a set term.

You’ll only have to pay one monthly premium and it tends to cost up to 25% less than taking out two single policies.

Contact Reassured to learn more about the life insurance options we have available and whether taking out a joint policy is right for you.

How much life insurance do I need when expecting a baby?

How much life insurance you may need will depend on your personal circumstances and what you’d like your policy to cover.

As a mum-to-be, your main considerations are likely to be:

Re payment mortgage house

Mortgage or rent - If you have a mortgage, this is probably the largest financial commitment you’ll ever have. You could take out enough life insurance to cover the outstanding balance, so it can be paid off if anything happened to you – allowing your family to remain in their home. With term-based cover, you could also choose a term length that mirrors your mortgage term (such as 30 years). If you rent, level term life insurance or family income benefit could help to cover the monthly payments.
Childcare cost pram

Raising a child - The cost of raising a child to the age of 18 (including childcare) is £208,735 for a lone parent[8]. You may want to factor this in when working out the amount of life insurance you need. If you take out term-based cover, instead of mirroring your mortgage term, you could choose a term length that ends when your children will become financially independent (such as 18 or 21).
Cost Money Quotes

Budget - It’s important to secure an affordable amount of cover, so that you can keep up with the monthly premiums for the duration of your policy term (or until you pass away). Life insurance is cheaper the younger and healthier you are. Therefore, if you need financial protection, it’s best to take out a policy sooner rather than later while you’re able to get the cheapest premiums for the right level of cover your family need.

Mum’s life insurance calculator

Use our handy calculator to find out how much life insurance you may need to protect your growing family.

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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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Does pregnancy affect the cost of life insurance?

No, the fact that you’re pregnant won’t affect the cost of your life insurance.

Life insurance premiums are calculated based on:

  • Age
  • Health
  • Family medical history
  • Lifestyle (smoking status, alcohol consumption, hobbies etc)
  • BMI (pre-pregnancy)
  • Occupation
  • Policy terms (length of cover and cover amount)

As mentioned, insurers will take into account your overall health when assessing your application.

If this includes any medical issues caused by pregnancy, then the cost of your premiums could be increased temporarily until the baby arrives.

On the other hand, if you’re having a healthy pregnancy with no complications, then the cost of your premiums shouldn’t be affected.

In any instance, it’s important to compare multiple quotes before taking out a policy.

You can use our life insurance comparison service to get free quotes from some of the UK’s leading insurers, helping to save you time and money.

Life insurance prices

The table below shows example monthly premiums for term-based and whole of life cover according to age.

Quotes based on a non-smoker in good health taking out £150,000 of cover:

AgeLevel term
(20-year term)		Decreasing term
(20-year term)		Whole of life insurance
20£3.53£3.50£88.85
25£4.27£3.91£94.69
30£5.30£4.54£104.20
35£7.61£5.34£121.79
40£10.54£6.76£142.57
45£15.74£10.03£165.90
50£25.34£15.26£177.59


Joint life insurance prices

The table below shows example monthly premiums for joint term life insurance vs single term life insurance and the % difference in price.

Quotes based on a non-smoker in good health taking out £100,000 of cover over a 20 year term:

AgeJoint policyTwo single policies% Percentage difference
20£6.34£7.22-12%
25£7.16£9.46-24%
30£8.79£9.64-9%
35£10.70£12.00-11%
40£14.59£15.74-7%
45£21.31£22.14-4%
50£34.97£32.36+9%
Compare Life Insurance During Pregnancy »

Other types of insurance for pregnant women

As well as life insurance, you may also consider other types of financial protection for you and your loved ones in case the unexpected happens.

Critical illness cover when pregnant

Critical illness cover

Provides additional protection for you and your family if you become seriously ill.

  • Pays out a tax-free cash lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a non-life threatening critical illness during a set term (2 - 40 years)
  • Funds can help to cover the cost of private medical care, adapting your home, as well as everyday living expenses
  • Covers a list of specified illnesses including some cancers, heart attack and stroke
  • Some policies come with extra cover for your children
  • Available as part of a life insurance policy through Reassured
  • Premiums from 33p-a-day º
Income protection insurance when pregnant

Income protection insurance

Protects your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

  • Helps to replace a percentage of your income (up to 70%) if you become ill or injured during a set term
  • Pays out in tax-free monthly payments
  • Funds can help to cover your financial commitments such as mortgage repayments, childcare fees and bills
  • Covers any long-term illnesses or any injuries that prevent you from working
  • Choose from a range of policy terms to suit your needs and budget
  • Available as a standalone policy through Reassured
  • Affordable premiums from 20p-a-day ‡

Compare life insurance when pregnant [FREE quotes]

It’s a good idea to plan for the future and secure life insurance while expecting a new baby.

With a growing family comes a growing number of financial commitments, so it’s important to protect them.

At Reassured, we’re dedicated to helping UK families secure affordable life insurance for their loved ones in case the unthinkable happens.

We can help you compare multiple quotes from leading insurers quickly and easily so you can find a fantastic deal on your cover.

Plus, if you need any guidance with choosing a policy or have any questions, our life insurance experts are on hand to help you make a fully informed decision.

Reassured has more than 14 years’ experience in the industry and has helped protect more than 2 million families.

Our service is award-winning, fee-free and highly rated by our customers, so get in touch today for your free quotes and our best deals.

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Sources:

[1] https://www.childbereavementuk.org/death-bereavement-statistics

[2] https://www.finder.com/uk/life-insurance-statistics

[3] https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/average-uk-household-budget

[4] https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/advice/childcare-costs-how-much-do-you-pay-in-the-uk

[5] https://www.primarytimes.co.uk/news/2016/07/how-much-the-true-cost-of-sending-your-child-to-school

[6] https://www.money.co.uk/press/uk-personal-debt-rose-a-third-in-2022

[7] https://www.sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs/

[8] https://cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/files/policypost/Cost_of_a_child_2022.pdf

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