Can I get life insurance with a heart condition?

Yes, you can get life insurance with a heart condition, but the severity of your condition and your personal circumstances will determine which options are available to you.

Heart conditions affect millions of people in the UK, approximately:

  • 2.3 million adults are living with coronary heart disease
  • 1.4 million adults have survived a heart attack[1]

Many people living with pre-existing heart conditions have been able to secure life insurance or other types of cover through Reassured, the UK’s largest life insurance broker * .

We use our extensive knowledge and expertise to help you identify and apply for suitable policies that offer the right cover at the right price for you.

Our award-winning service is fee-free, and without obligation, so get in touch today.

In this guide:

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Heart condition life insurance key points

  • Types of heart condition include coronary heart disease, angina, heart failure, heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure
  • It’s possible to secure affordable life insurance with a heart condition, but it might be harder to find the right policy (at a good price)
  • A life insurance expert, like Reassured, can help you find suitable policy options and compare deals from different insurers
  • During the application, you’ll need to answer the standard health and lifestyle questions, as well as questions about your heart condition
  • If you struggle to secure standard types of life insurance, you could consider taking out an over 50s plan, which guarantees acceptance if you’re aged 50 - 85 without the need to provide medical information. Starting from £5 a month through Reassured + .

Why take out life insurance with a heart condition?

Life insurance is designed to provide your family with a financial safety net if you were no longer around to support them.

The pay out from your life insurance policy could help them to cover a range of costs, such as:

  • Mortgage payments (average UK mortgage debt is £129,130[2])
  • Family living costs (UK families spend on average £2,321 a month on transport, bills and groceries[3])
  • Childcare costs (the average full-time weekly cost is £285.31[4])
  • Outstanding debts in your name (the average UK adult has £34,566 of debt, not including mortgages[5])
  • Funeral costs (the average cost of a UK funeral is £4,141[6])
  • Inheritance tax (if your estate is liable)

If you’re living with heart disease or any other heart condition, then this could be a crucial time to secure life insurance for your family should the worst happen.

Your policy can be tailored to suit your personal circumstances and budget, allowing you to financially protect what matters most to you, at a good price.

How much life insurance do you need?

Work out how much life insurance you may need based on your current financial commitments and what you want your policy to cover. Simply fill in the fields which apply to you for an instant calculation.

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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 does having a heart condition affect applying for life insurance?

Applying for life insurance with a heart condition can make it more difficult to secure a policy and your monthly premium may be higher than a standard applicant’s.

Typically, your eligibility for life insurance will depend on various factors such as:

  • When you were diagnosed
  • Your symptoms and frequency of symptoms
  • Treatments and medication you’ve received
  • Your current blood pressure and cholesterol levels
  • Your Body Mass Index (weight)
  • Whether you have any other health conditions

Insurers will ask questions about your heart condition to determine whether they can offer you a policy and, if they can, the cost of your monthly premium.

Every application is considered on an individual basis to ensure that the right cover is provided at the right price to suit your unique circumstances.

Will I need to undergo a medical exam?

You may need to take a medical exam when applying for life insurance if you have a heart condition (but it’s unlikely).

An insurer may request to see your medical records (with your consent) or that you undergo an exam if they need to gain a greater understanding of your health before they can offer you a policy.

This is because it’s important that they investigate all potential risks while assessing your application, particularly if you have a pre-existing medical condition, and decide the best outcome.

Our professional experts will let you know whether any further medical information is needed when applying, and if a medical exam is required or not.

What if my application is declined?

If your application is declined or you’ve been refused life insurance in the past due to having a heart condition, then not to worry as you may have other options available to you.

Some insurers are more suitable than others for people with heart conditions. This means your application could be accepted with a different insurer.

At Reassured, our dedicated experts understand the criteria used by each of our insurers to assess risk, allowing us to filter out those which are most likely to offer you cover.

We also have a specialist impaired risk team that has a good track record of finding some form of cover for applicants who’ve been declined elsewhere.

Our award-winning broker service can compare quotes from major insurers as well as smaller specialists, giving us the advantage to help you secure your ideal cover.

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Does life insurance cover heart attack?

Yes, life insurance does cover heart attack. If you pass away due to a heart attack during the policy term, a pay out will be made to your loved ones.

Insurers will always pay out the agreed cash lump sum if:

  • You pass away during the policy term
  • You keep up to date with your monthly premium payments
  • Your application is completed fully and accurately

Types of life insurance

There are different types of life insurance to choose from. At Reassured, we can help arrange the following policy options:

Term life insurance

Term life insurance provides you with cover for a set period of time (the term) and will pay out if you pass away during this time.

It’s the most popular type of policy (usually taken out to help protect a mortgage) and can be the most affordable.

You can choose whether the sum assured (cover amount) reduces over the policy term (known as decreasing term) or remains fixed (level term).

Term life insurance requires your medical information during the application process.

Family income benefit

This type of policy provides you with cover for a set term and will pay out if you pass away during the term, just like term life insurance.

However, the pay out is made in regular tax-free monthly payments, rather than as one lump sum.

This can help to replace your income and cover monthly outgoings, such as rent and bills, allowing your family to budget accordingly.

Family income benefit requires your medical information during the application process.

Available through Reassured.

Whole of life insurance

This type of policy provides you with cover for the remainder of your life.

It guarantees a cash pay out to your loved ones when you pass away, (not if you pass away).

The funds could be used as an inheritance and/or to help cover funeral costs.

Whole of life insurance requires your medical information during the application process.

If you pay a loaded premium due to a heart condition, then there’s a chance you could pay more into this policy than what will be paid out eventually.

Over 50s life insurance

Also known as an over 50s plan, over 50s life insurance guarantees acceptance to all residents aged 50 - 85 with no medical questions.

Your age, smoking status and the policy sum assured will determine the cost of your monthly premium. The maximum you can secure is £20,000 (depending on your personal circumstances and budget).

An over 50s plan also guarantees to pay out when you pass away once the waiting period has surpassed (typically 12 or 24 months after your policy start date).

Cover starts from 20p-a-day through Reassured.

Policy extras and add ons:

Free terminal illness cover

Terminal illness cover comes as standard with all term-based life insurance policies arranged through Reassured.

If you’ve secured level term or decreasing term life insurance with a heart condition, you could also receive this benefit.

Terminal illness cover allows you to make an early claim on your policy if you’re diagnosed with a terminal illness and predicted to pass away within 12 months.

The pay out could be used as you wish, whether that be to help pay off the mortgage or to enjoy with your loved ones.

Critical illness cover

Critical illness cover is a type of policy that pays out a cash lump sum to you if you’re diagnosed with a critical illness (that’s specified within your policy).

The pay out can be used to help cover mortgage or rent payments, day-to-day living costs, private medical treatment or private care.

Critical illness cover can only be taken out through Reassured when combined with a term life insurance policy for an additional cost.

If you take out both critical illness cover and life insurance as one single policy then you can only make one claim.

How much is life insurance with a heart condition?

The cost of life insurance with a heart condition will depend on your individual circumstances. Every application is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

When deciding how much you’ll pay for your policy, insurers will consider the following factors:

  • Your age
  • Your smoking status
  • Your health
  • Your BMI
  • Your lifestyle
  • Your family medical history
  • Your policy terms;
    - Cover length (the term)
    - Cover amount (the sum assured)

Life insurance premiums are based on the likelihood of a claim being made on your policy.

If the insurer believes there’s a higher risk, they’ll charge you a higher premium.

Generally, applicants with heart problems are considered as ‘high-risk’, but this doesn’t mean you can’t find an affordable deal.

Comparing policies and quotes from multiple insurers, with the help of a broker, can help you identify your suitable options.

Guaranteed life insurance from £5 a month

Guaranteed life insurance, also known as an over 50s plan, guarantees acceptance if you’re aged 50 - 85 and the application has no medical questions.

Contact Reassured to learn more about over 50s life insurance and secure your free, personalised quotes.

Compare Guaranteed Over 50 plans »

Is it possible to get cheap life insurance with a heart condition?

Yes, it could be possible. Here are some ways you could help reduce your level of risk to an insurer and secure cheaper life insurance if you have a heart condition:

  • Lead a healthy lifestyle. Insurers are more likely to offer you a policy if you’re leading a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight. For example, regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and not drinking too much alcohol can improve your heath and could have a positive affect your life insurance premiums.
  • Not smoking. Harmful chemicals from smoking not only cause many heart-related problems but also brings an increased risk of many other medical conditions. A smoker with a heart condition could pay a premium loading of up to 75% more than a non-smoker. Insurers also class vapers and e-cigarette users as smokers. If you quit today, after 12 months of being smoke-free, you could save significantly on your premiums.
    Please note, you may still be classed as an ex-smoker by some insurers and experience an increase in your premiums compared to a non-smoker until you have stopped smoking for 5 years. If you require further information please read our dedicated life insurance for smokers guide.
  • Apply as soon as possible. Delaying your application until another day could mean higher premiums. This is because the cost of life insurance increases as you get older. Someone who’s in their 70s or 80s living with heart disease may experience heavily loaded premiums or may be refused cover altogether. In some cases, an over 50 plan could be the best option as acceptance is guaranteed if you're aged between 50 - 85 despite any health problems.
  • Get help from an expert. A life insurance expert has a good understanding of the industry and can use their knowledge to help identify your most suitable options. They can help search the market and find the best quotes for your chosen policy.

Can you get life insurance after a heart attack?

It’s still possible to secure life insurance for heart attack victims, even if you’ve been declined cover in the past.

There may be a range of policy options available to you through Reassured depending on your circumstances.

Some of the factors which are taken into account by insurers include:

  • When the heart attack occurred
  • If there are any ongoing symptoms
  • Any treatment, surgery, and/or medication
  • Current blood pressure and cholesterol levels
  • If you have any other heart-related conditions

In some cases, it may be difficult to secure life insurance after a heart attack. Especially if the episode was recent and you’re still in the recovery period.

As a result, it may be worthwhile waiting until you’ve fully recovered (and your risk of another episode has reduced) before applying for cover.

Those who have had a heart attack are often referred to specialist insurers, where policies are designed for people who struggle to secure standard life insurance.

At Reassured, our experts know the criteria for all the insurers we work with so we can present to you those who are most likely to accept your application.

We do our best to help you find the most suitable protection at the lowest available price our insurer partners can offer.

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Support services for people with heart conditions

If you’ve been diagnosed or are living with a heart condition, you can find support and information using the following links:

How to find the best life insurance with a heart condition

Ultimately, it's possible to secure life insurance with heart disease or other heart conditions, but your premiums could be more expensive.

Comparing multiple quotes for the cover you need is the most-effective way to discover your available options.

As an FCA-regulated life insurance broker, Reassured can do exactly this for you.

Even if you’ve been declined in the past, why not use the expertise of our specialist impaired team to see if they can help you find a suitable insurer?

What's more, we can help you write your policy into a trust, if offered by your provider, to avoid/minimise 40% inheritance tax.

Our award-winning service is completely fee-free to use. Get in touch today and find out how you can protect your loved ones.

Life insurance with heart condition FAQs

Does life insurance pay out for heart attack?

Yes, life insurance will pay out after a heart attack if you pass away due to this reason.

A pay out is only refused if your policy has expired, your premium payments aren’t up to date or there’s non-disclosure (false information is provided at the point of application).

Life insurance pay out rates vary depending on the insurer, but overall 97.5% of all life insurance, income protection and critical illness claims result in a successful pay out in the UK[7].

Can I get life insurance if I have heart failure?

It may be very difficult to secure standard life insurance if you have heart failure.

Along with other heart diseases, heart failure is one of the leading causes of death in the UK.

An applicant with heart failure may be considered high-risk and may be referred to a specialist insurer.

A specialist insurer is more likely to accept your application for life insurance, but at a heightened premium.

Fortunately, at Reassured we have an impaired risk life insurance team who’ve helped many people with a serious heart condition secure some form of cover.

There’s also the option of an over 50s plan, in which your medical information isn’t taken into account.

Acceptance is guaranteed for UK applicants aged between 50 - 85 and the cost of premiums are determined by your age, cover amount and your smoking status.

Can I get life insurance after heart bypass surgery?

You could still secure life insurance even after receiving heart bypass surgery.

As mentioned previously, it’s best to wait a period of time to recover before applying for life insurance.

The insurer will take into account the factors which have led to your heart surgery.

These may include your:

  • Type of heart condition
  • Smoking history
  • Weight (BMI)
  • Cholesterol and/or blood pressure levels
  • Family’s history of heart disease

Making positive lifestyle changes to improve your health may affect the success of your surgery and can lower your risk of developing further heart complications.

This will improve your chances of securing the cover you need, at a premium that’s within your budget.

Compare quotes for life insurance after heart bypass surgery with Reassured.

Can you get critical illness after a heart attack?

Yes, it’s still possible to obtain critical illness cover (CIC) after a heart attack, however it’s likely to be expensive.

Critical illness cover will pay out a cash lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a critical but non-life-threatening illness.

The illnesses will be specified in your policy and typically include:

  • Cancer
  • Liver or kidney failure
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Dementia
  • Blindness

It can also cover a range of heart conditions, but if you suffer from heart disease or have had a heart attack previously, then your policy may exclude some or all of the related conditions.

This means you wouldn’t be able to claim if you had another heart attack or developed another serious illness as a result of your heart condition.

Sources:

[1] https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-statistics

[2] https://www.finder.com/uk/mortgage-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.money.co.uk/press/uk-personal-debt-rose-a-third-in-2022

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

[7] https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2023/5/protection-insurers-pay-out-6.85-billion-to-support-individuals-and-families/

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