Is it possible to get life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis?

Yes, you can secure life insurance if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

Most insurers can provide cover to applicants with rheumatoid arthritis, but you may pay a higher premium depending on your personal circumstances.

With the help of an expert, such as Reassured, it’s possible to find affordable life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis to help protect your loved ones.

Our knowledgeable team can identify the most suitable insurers from our panel and compare quotes to help you find the right cover to suit your needs.

We work hard to ensure that you can get our best possible deal. Simply get in touch for your free, no-obligation quotes.

Continue reading this 2023 guide to learn all about rheumatoid arthritis life insurance…

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Does rheumatoid arthritis affect life insurance?

Yes, rheumatoid arthritis could affect your life insurance, depending on the severity of your condition.

As it’s usually not a fatal condition, rheumatoid arthritis life expectancy can be similar to the national average - meaning the risk to the insurer can be lower than with other pre-existing conditions.

However, your level of risk (and the effect on your life insurance) will depend on how severe your condition is and other personal circumstances.

Rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent among women. However, you'll not pay more due to your gender.

For those with mild rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience an increase on the price you pay compared to someone without rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, in some cases, it can be possible to take out cover on standard terms (no increase to your premium due to your condition).

In some cases, you may be charged a slightly higher premium compared to someone without rheumatoid arthritis.

If your condition is more severe, you have regular flare ups and you’re on certain medications/treatments, this will have a greater impact on your life insurance.

Like any autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to other medical complications. Including (but not limited to):

If you’re diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during the term of your policy, your new diagnosis won’t impact your existing cover. However, if your policy expired and you required a new one, you would likely pay higher premiums due to your new condition.

It’s best to check the terms and conditions of any policy to see what’s covered. Alternatively, you can contact Reassured who can compare fee-free, no-obligation rheumatoid arthritis quotes for you.

Should I disclose that I have rheumatoid arthritis on my application?

Yes, you need to disclose that you have rheumatoid arthritis during the application process.

If your condition isn’t disclosed and you pass away through complications relating to rheumatoid arthritis, your loved ones won’t be able to make a claim on your life insurance.

If you intentionally don’t disclose a medical condition or risky lifestyle behaviour, or give false information on an application, this is classed as ‘non-disclosure’.

Non-disclosure is a type of insurance fraud and can result in future claims being rejected and the policy being terminated.

It’s not obligatory to inform your life insurance provider if you’re diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during the term of your policy.

However, this may delay pay outs to your loved ones on a claim if you pass away through related complications while insurers look into the death. Insurers have the right to investigate if you had a condition at the time of a policy’s inception.

If they can find evidence you did, it can prevent the sum assured (the pay out sum) being released to your loved ones.

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How much does rheumatoid arthritis life insurance cost?

The price you pay for life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis will depend on your personal circumstances and the policy you choose.

You’ll need to provide key information during the application process in order for insurers to calculate your monthly premium. This includes information about:

  • Your age
  • Your occupation
  • Your smoking status
  • Your weight/BMI
  • Length of cover
  • Level of cover

You’ll also be required to answer additional questions about your rheumatoid arthritis, including:

  • When you were diagnosed - Being a progressive disease, insurers will need to know when you were diagnosed
  • Number of joints affected - The more joints affected, the higher the premium. This also includes any joint deformities or rheumatoid nodules
  • Day-to-day life impact - If it prevents you from completing everyday tasks independently, affects your mobility, or has resulted in a disability, your premiums may be increased
  • Walking aids - If your rheumatoid arthritis means you require a walking stick or a wheelchair, you’d be classified as having a more severe case, with premiums reflecting this
  • Medication and surgery - If you’re on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, JAK inhibitors, biological treatments, or steroids to help mitigate symptoms, or have had joint replacement surgery, insurers will need to consider this in your monthly premium. If you’re due a referral, scan results or have an upcoming investigation, this may also impact your premium
  • Additional complications - As an autoimmune disease, those with rheumatoid arthritis are more susceptible to issues with their skin tissue and organs, including their heart, lungs, kidneys and eyes. Premiums will be higher for those with additional complications

The cost of life insurance varies between different insurers, particularly for applicants with pre-existing conditions.

That’s why comparing quotes is essential in finding affordable rheumatoid arthritis life insurance.

Types of life insurance for rheumatoid arthritis

Reassured doesn’t offer specific rheumatoid arthritis life insurance. However, we do offer 4 types of life insurance which can provide cover for applicants with rheumatoid arthritis:

Level term life coverDecreasing term life coverWhole of life insuranceOver 50 life insurance
SummaryA policy which lasts for a set period and pays out a fixed amount on a successful claimA policy which lasts for a set term and pays out on a successful claim. The pay out amount reduces over the term.A policy which is guaranteed to pay out a fixed amount whenever you pass awayA policy that offers guaranteed acceptance to UK residents aged 50 - 85. If you’ve been declined life insurance previously due to your rheumatoid arthritis and fit this criteria, then you could take out this policy
Monthly premiumsFixedFixedFixedFixed
Cover lengthUp to 40 yearsUp to 40 yearsUntil you pass awayUntil you pass away
Is terminal illness covered?YesYesNoYes (with certain insurers)
How does it benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis?A popular option for those wanting to help protect an interest-based mortgage or other large expenses for familyA popular option for those wanting to help protect repayment mortgageCan provide loved ones with a guaranteed inheritance or can be used to help cover essential costs such as mortgage repayments or funeral expensesUseful for those with rheumatoid arthritis who’ve struggled to secure standard cover. Funds can be used to help cover funeral expenses or as an inheritance
Other informationPremium prices and terms may be impacted by your rheumatoid arthritisPremium prices and terms may be impacted by your rheumatoid arthritisPremium prices and terms may be impacted by your rheumatoid arthritis. This policy is on average more expensive due to providing lifetime coverThe only policy which doesn’t require medical information so rheumatoid arthritis won’t affect your cover. If you haven’t secured life insurance before the age of 50, this could be an ideal choice


Reassured can compare quotes from the UK’s leading providers, as well as smaller specialists, to help you find suitable life insurance options. Simply get in touch.

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Calculate how much life insurance you may need by filling in the costs you’d like your policy to cover.

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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 smoking affect rheumatoid arthritis life insurance?

Smoking can affect life insurance for those with rheumatoid arthritis by causing further premium increases.

Smoking can be a trigger for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and it’s also suggested that the condition is more severe for those who smoke[1].

For this reason, if you're an active smoker and are applying for life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience a significant increase to your premiums.

Smoking is also linked to many conditions that could arise as a result of rheumatoid arthritis (such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer), creating a greater risk.

You’re classed as a smoker if you've used any nicotine products within the last 12 months.

Quitting smoking could have a beneficial impact on your condition as well as help you to secure a cheaper policy depending on other personal circumstances.

Reassured have helped to secure cover for over 100,000 UK smokers and we also have an impaired risk team who specialise in finding some form of cover for non-standard applicants. Why not contact a friendly member of the team?

Is rheumatoid arthritis covered by critical illness?

No, rheumatoid arthritis isn’t covered under critical illness cover if the condition is pre-existing.

This means you won’t be able to make a claim on your policy for this reason. It’s also likely that there will be exclusions added for any related conditions.

However, if you’re diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during the term of your policy, the condition may be covered.

Not all providers will cover rheumatoid arthritis within their critical illness cover and any diagnosis would need to match the definition of the insurer.

Critical illness cover provides a lump sum for those who are diagnosed with a life altering (but not terminal) illness. This can be used for carer costs and aid in rehabilitation by supplementing lost income.

The companies you can secure life insurance with critical illness cover from at Reassured and their position on rheumatoid arthritis and critical illness are:

  • AIG - Offer ‘Upgraded critical illness benefit’ which covers rheumatoid arthritis
  • Aviva - Offer ‘Upgraded critical illness cover’ which covers rheumatoid arthritis
  • Legal & General - Covered in their list of critical illnesses
  • LV= - Not included in their critical illness cover list

All information is taken from each company’s website. The information contained is subject to change by them at any time and is correct as of 18/05/23

Critical illness can be a feature included with term-based life insurance policies for an additional cost.

Standalone policies can also be purchased through some providers to run alongside a life insurance policy, but this would result in more than one monthly premium.

Why not compare life insurance with critical illness cover through Reassured?

Why get life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis?

Having a pre-existing medical condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can highlight the need to have adequate financial protection should the worst happen to you.

A life insurance could help to cover:

Your mortgage - If you're paying towards a family home, and your family were unable to afford the payments without you, it’s worth considering life insurance. This can also be applicable with other forms of accommodation.

Your family’s additional expenses - If your family rely on your income for utilities, council tax or day-to-day life expenses, life insurance can be beneficial in helping to supplement your lost income if you pass away. This can also be used to help cover food, travel, and additional debts.

Childcare expenses - If you've young children, nursery costs, school supplies and clothing are all essentials which would need to be covered if you pass away. Older children may also require additional support until they’re financially secure. Life insurance can help to cover these expenses.

Additional health complications - If you've rheumatoid arthritis, you may be more susceptible to other medical conditions. Life insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that if your health deteriorates and you pass away due to any reason, your family are protected.

Your partner - Whether you’ve recently got married, entered a civil partnership, or divorced, you may want to purchase a life insurance policy which can help secure your new family’s future.

Funeral costs - Life insurance can help to prevent your family from being faced with an unaffordable bill for your funeral. It may also take away some financial stress during a grieving period.

Whether you know the reason you require life insurance or even if you’re still unsure, our friendly team can talk through your needs to provide you with personalised quotes.

Rheumatoid arthritis support groups UK

Rheumatoid arthritis affects more than 400,000 people in the UK[2].

Women are three times more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis and the average age someone will begin to be affected is 40 - 50.

It’s not clear what exactly triggers rheumatoid arthritis, but you may be more susceptible if you've a family history, or if you’re a smoker.

While there’s no cure, there are treatments which can relieve some symptoms, and support networks which can help. The UK organisations which could help include:

Life insurance quotes for rheumatoid arthritis

The affect rheumatoid arthritis has on your life insurance will vary between providers and with your personal situation.

However, it’s likely you can still get life insurance, despite your condition.

Reassured can help you compare available policies and quotes from some of the UK's best providers to find you our best deal.

Our friendly, UK based team can compare quotes to find you appropriate cover saving you time and money.

Best of all, all quotes from Reassured are no-obligation and completely fee-free. Simply get in touch today.

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Sources:

[1] https://www.ashscotland.org.uk/media/6680/Rheumatoid%20Arthritis.pdf

[2] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis

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