Can I get life insurance with Crohn’s Disease?

Yes, the good news is you can take out life insurance if you suffer from Crohn’s Disease.

Many think that due to having Crohn’s Disease life insurance is unobtainable but this isn’t the case.

However, the severity of your condition can influence how much you pay for cover and the terms you’re offered but, rest assured, it’s unlikely you’ll be declined due to having Crohn’s alone.

In this article we’ll be answering the common questions regarding life insurance and Crohn’s Disease, such as:

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about securing life insurance with Crohn’s Disease…

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Does Crohn’s Disease affect life insurance?

Yes, declaring Crohn’s Disease during the application process can have an impact on your life insurance cover.

However, this will depend on the personal circumstances of your condition.

Those who have a mild form of Crohn’s, who rarely experience flare ups could secure cover on standard terms.

However, you may experience increased (or loaded) life insurance premiums if your condition is more severe, results in regular flare ups or if you’ve had to have surgery.

If your diagnosis is recent, insurers may postpone your application. This is so they can gain a better understanding of what symptoms you experience and how frequently these occur.

If you’re diagnosed with Crohn’s disease during the term of your policy, your existing cover won’t be affected by your new diagnosis.

How much life insurance do you need?

Enter your financial commitments to understand the level of life insurance cover you require.

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£121,687 is the estimated average outstanding mortgage per household in the UK.

Our property is generally the largest financial commitment any of us will make.

Your life insurance should cover this significant debt should you no longer be around.
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According to Money Advice Service, full-time childcare in the UK now costs £242 a week.

The loss of a parent could result in the need for additional childcare whilst the surviving parent increases their hours to account for lost income.

Your life insurance cover should factor in this additional required outgoing.
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The average level of debt (minus a mortgage) in the UK is £15,385.

Factoring in any outstanding debts in your name when arranging life insurance ensures this burden is not passed to loved ones.
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You may wish to leave your loved ones an inheritance or lump sum gift upon your passing.

Factoring in the gift amount when arranging your cover will ensure the pay out amount will be sufficient to provide your loved ones with this selfless gesture.
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According to SunLife, the average cost of a UK funeral is now £4,417, whilst the total cost of dying is £9,493.

This is a 130% increase over the past 16 years and shows no signs of slowing down.

A significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.
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If you are one of the 65% of the UK who are lucky enough to have savings, this could be used as protection if you were to pass away.

Any pay outs from existing life insurance policies and investments can also be used as financial protection for your loved ones if you were no longer around.

Factor this into your required cover amount.
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Your total cover estimate

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Let us find your best available quotes.

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Do I need to tell the insurer about my Crohn’s Disease?

Yes, when taking out a new life insurance policy you’ll need to disclose that you have Crohn’s Disease during the application.

Failure to disclose your condition is known as non-disclosure, which can prevent a pay out from being issued.

Fear not, it’s unlikely that you’ll be declined when disclosing a Crohn’s diagnosis so always be 100% open and honest with your insurer.

If you have existing cover in place and are diagnosed with Crohn’s during the policy term, you’re not obligated to inform your insurer.

It’s still possible to secure affordable life insurance with Crohn’s Disease, either through a mainstream provider or a specialist insurer.

Why not compare quotes free of charge through Reassured to find your best deal?

Getting life insurance with Crohn’s Disease

Getting family life insurance with Crohn’s Disease doesn’t have to be a difficult endeavour.

The symptoms and severity of Crohn’s Disease can vary between sufferers so applications will be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Insurers will always take your unique circumstances into consideration.

When disclosing a Crohn’s diagnosis it’s likely you’ll be required to answer some additional questions so that insurers can get a better understanding of your condition.

These can include:

  • How long ago were you diagnosed?
  • What symptoms do you have?
  • Do you take any medication?
  • If so, what medication do you take, (Sulfasalazine, Mesalamine, Purinethol, Infliximab, Azathioprine etc)?
  • Have you had any surgery?
  • Have you had to take any time off work?
  • Have you ever been hospitalised?
  • How many flare ups have you had since your diagnosis?

Keeping track of all of your symptoms and doctors/hospital visits, as well as medication and treatments is a wise idea so you have all the information insurers are likely to need when the time comes.

This can help to minimise any potential delays while the insurer waits to obtain information.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed, or have recently undergone surgery as a result of your Crohn’s, it’s likely that your application will be postponed until your condition has stabilised or until you have made a full recovery.

After this period has passed you should be able to carry on with your application as normal.

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What’s the best life insurance for people with Crohn’s Disease?

There are four main types of life insurance. As someone with Crohn’s disease, the best option for you will depend on what you want to cover, your available budget and the severity of your condition.

You’ll have the same options as a standard applicant, but the price you pay for your policy may be affected by your condition.

Let’s look into the four main life insurance types you can take out as someone with Crohn’s Disease…

Level term cover

Level term cover provides a fixed pay out amount (sum assured) and is ideal for protecting aspects of your life that don’t change overtime, such as an interest-only mortgage.

You’ll be covered for a specified period of time (the term) and a pay out will be made if you pass away during this time.

As part of the application process, you’ll need to disclose key information in order for insurers to calculate your premium - this includes disclosing your Crohn’s.

If you suffer with severe Crohn’s you should still be able to secure cover, although it’s likely your premiums will be inflated.

If you have a milder form of Crohn’s, you may be able to secure cover on standard terms.

As the underwriting process varies between insurers it’s vital to compare quotes to find the provider who will offer you the most favourable terms.

Why not enlist the help of Reassured to save you time and money?

Decreasing term cover

With decreasing term life insurance your sum assured will reduce over time, making it ideal for protecting a repayment mortgage.

You’ll be covered for a specified period of time and, if you pass away during this term, a life insurance pay out will be made.

You’ll need to inform insurers about your Crohn’s Disease and your premiums may be inflated depending on the severity of your condition.

Those with a well-managed and mild form of Crohn’s may be able to secure life insurance on standard terms.

As your risk to the insurer reduces over time, this is likely to be the most affordable policy option.

Why not compare decreasing term life insurance from some of the UK’s leading providers, as well as smaller specialists, to find you the best deal?

Whole of life insurance

Whole of life insurance provides lifelong cover, ensuring your loved ones receive a pay out after your passing.

This makes it an ideal option for guaranteeing an inheritance and/or paying for your funeral.

You’ll need to pay premiums for the remainder of your life to keep your cover valid, which could become costly if you’re paying inflated premiums due to your Crohn’s Disease.

For this reason, whole of life insurance may be better suited to those with a mild form of Crohn’s, who’re in good general health and who’re later on in life.

If taking out a policy at a young age you could end up paying more into the policy than it will pay out.

Over 50s plan

An over 50s plan provides guaranteed cover to those ages 50 - 85, without the need to provide medical information.

This can be an ideal option for Crohn’s sufferers who fit into this age bracket and who’ve previously struggled to secure cover due to their condition.

However, due to the unknown risk you pose, insurers will add a waiting period to your policy.

This is the first 12 - 24 months of your policy where if you pass away due to natural causes, a pay out won’t be made to your loved ones, (but any premiums paid in will be refunded).

Premiums for over 50s life insurance can also be slightly higher than with standard cover and your sum assured is usually capped at £20,000.

At Reassured, our dedicated team can provide you with information about all of your available options to help you make a fully informed decision about which policy will best meet your unique needs.

We can also compare quotes to help you find the most favourable premium price.

Other policy types for people with Crohn’s Disease

Terminal illness cover

Terminal illness cover will allow you to make an early claim on your life insurance in the event you’re diagnosed with a life-threatening illness and given less than 12 months to live.

This form of cover comes free of charge with all term policies taken out through Reassured.

Critical illness cover

Critical illness cover can be added to a life insurance policy for an additional fee.

It will allow you to receive a cash lump sum pay out if you’re diagnosed with a life-changing illness (that’s listed within your policy). Some providers also offer critical illness cover as a standalone policy.

When taking out critical illness cover with Crohn’s Disease, those with a mild form of the condition may be able to secure cover on standard terms, whereas those with a more severe form of the condition may experience inflated premiums.

An exclusion for Crohn’s will likely be added to your policy, meaning you can’t make a claim for this reason.

Income protection

Income protection insurance is a separate policy which can pay out up to 70% of your usual income if you become too ill or injured to work.

As someone with Crohn’s, your condition will likely be added as an exclusion so you won’t be able to claim if you can’t work due to your condition.

You may also experience inflated premiums depending on the severity of your condition.

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How much will life insurance with Crohn’s Disease cost?

How much you’ll pay for your life insurance as someone with Crohn’s Disease will depend on your personal circumstances.

When calculating life insurance premiums, insurers will assess the level of risk you pose (the likelihood of making a claim).

Due to different underwriting criteria prices can vary between insurers, emphasising the need to compare multiple quotes.

Insurers assess risk by asking for key information during the application process.

This information includes:

  • Your age
  • Your smoking status
  • Your general health and wellbeing
  • Your weight/BMI
  • Policy type
  • Sum assured

At this point you’ll need to declare your Crohn’s Disease; you may be asked for further information about your condition, such as:

  • How frequent your flare ups are
  • When your last flare up was
  • The strength of your medication
  • Whether you’ve received any treatment
  • If you’re able to work or have had any time off work for your condition
  • If you’ve ever been hospitalised

Suffering from a mild form of Crohn’s Disease will have less of an impact on how much you pay for your premium and it may even be possible to secure cover on standard terms.

However, if you suffer from a more severe form of Crohn’s Disease, it’s likely that your premiums will be loaded due to the increased risk.

The exception to this is with an over 50s plan as you’re not required to provide any medical information.

Why not get in touch with a friendly member of our team who can help you to compare quotes and provide you with the details of the insurer who will offer you the most affordable premiums as a Crohn’s sufferer?

How will Crohn’s Disease affect a joint policy?

Joint life insurance protects two lives simultaneously under one policy. There’s only one application and you’ll only need to pay one premium between the both of you.

If one party is in good health, with no pre-existing medical conditions, securing a joint policy with someone with Crohn’s disease could lead to them paying more for their premium than is necessary.

As there’s only one application, details about both parties will be taken into consideration when determining the premium you both pay.

For this reason, it may be more beneficial to take out two single policies so that the partner in good health can secure a more favourable premium.

It’s also important to bear in mind that a joint life insurance policy will only provide one pay out (usually after the first death). After this the policy will expire and the surviving partner will need to find new cover at an older age.

A friendly member of our team can conduct a full joint vs two single polices comparison to help you find the best option to meet your needs.

Is Crohn’s Disease classed as a critical illness?

Yes, Crohn’s Disease is commonly classed as one of the critical illnesses covered within critical illness cover.

However, if your Crohn’s is pre-existing, there’ll be exclusions added to your policy which will prevent you from making a claim for Crohn’s Disease and any related conditions.

If you’re diagnosed with Crohn’s during the term of your policy, you should be able to make a claim as per the terms and conditions of your policy.

Different providers have different lists of illnesses that they cover within critical illness cover, so not all policies may cover Crohn’s.

That’s why it’s important to compare multiple policies to secure the most comprehensive cover.

What if I’ve been declined due to Crohn’s Disease before?

Just because you’ve been declined life insurance before, due to your Crohn’s, it doesn’t mean securing cover is impossible.

It’s likely you may have been declined for one of the following reasons:

Cross You had only recently been diagnosed

Most insurers will wait until a specific period of time has passed since your diagnosis before they’ll offer you cover. This is commonly 6 months, but this timeframe can vary depending on the provider.

If you applied for life insurance before 6 months had passed this may have been why you were declined. This is so that you can establish if the diagnosis is correct and gauge a better understanding of how the condition affects you (severity of symptoms and frequency of flare ups etc.)

Cross You recently had surgery

Similarly, if you had only just undergone surgery when applying for life insurance, you may have been declined until you made a full recovery.

Cross The provider you applied with was not well equipped to offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions

Some providers are better at offering cover to those with pre-existing conditions than others. You may have been declined simply because the insurer you used wasn't able to offer cover to those with pre-existing conditions.

At Reassured we work with a panel of insurers and can provide you with the details of the insurers who are most likely to offer you cover.

Cross Insurer deemed your condition as too risky

If you have a severe form of Crohn’s, and applied for cover through a mainstream provider, you may have been declined as you were deemed as too high-risk.

It can still be possible to secure cover with the help of specialist insurers or through an over 50s plan (if you fit into this age bracket).

Reassured have a specialist impaired risk team who’ve helped to secure cover for 45% of applicants declined elsewhere.

So, even if you have previously been refused cover, there’s still hope.

At Reassured, not only do we work with some of the UK’s leading providers, but we also work with specialist insurers, allowing us to provide you with the details of the insurer who’s most likely to offer you cover.

Simply get in touch for your free quotes.

Will I need to undergo a medical exam?

In some instances, an insurer may require you to undergo a medical exam when applying for life insurance with Crohn’s Disease.

This is likely to include providing a urine sample (or blood sample).

Insurers may also request a doctor’s report from your GP, this is common if you have undergone multiple surgeries or have been on multiple medications for your condition.

You have the right to see the report before it’s sent to the insurer.

Providing the insurer with up-to-date medical information during the application process can reduce the need for a doctor’s report.

Does colitis affect life insurance?

Yes, colitis can impact your life insurance, but rest assured it’s still possible to secure cover.

Colitis falls under the same IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) umbrella as Crohn’s and, therefore, will have a similar effect on your ability to secure cover.

How much your life insurance is affected will depend on the severity of your condition and how long you’ve been diagnosed for.

Those with a mild form of colitis may be able to secure cover on standard terms, whereas those with a more severe form of colitis are likely to experience inflated premiums.

Securing life insurance with IBD doesn’t have to be difficult, why not use the services of Reassured to find the insurer who’s most likely to offer you cover?

Crohn’s disease in the UK

Crohn’s Disease is one of the main inflammatory bowel diseases, affecting 1 in every 650 people in the UK[1].

Although the disease is usually not fatal, it is a chronic illness and can have some associated health implications - highlighting the need to have the right financial protection in place for your loved ones.

The following resources can provide help and support to those living with Crohn’s Disease:

Life insurance quotes for Crohn’s Disease sufferers

Securing affordable life insurance as someone with Crohn’s Disease is possible.

Quotes will vary between providers so it’s essential to compare quotes to find the best deal.

Why not let Reassured help you with this task?

Our specialist team have found cover for 45% of applicants declined elsewhere, so rest assured you’re in good hands.

Get in touch today for your personalised, fee-free and no-obligation quotes.

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Sources:

[1] https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/about-crohns-and-colitis/publications/crohns-disease

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