Having asthma is very common. In the UK alone, it is estimated that around 8 in every 100 people¹ live with the condition. If you're thinking of taking out life insurance, you may be wondering how asthma could affect your application, or whether it might stop you from getting cover altogether.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how asthma may impact your options, what insurers typically look for, as well as how to improve your chances of getting affordable cover.
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Does Asthma Affect Life Insurance?
The good news is that in most cases, having asthma won’t prevent you from getting life insurance cover. However, it could affect the cost of your premiums or the questions you’re asked during the application process.
Everyone’s experience with asthma is different. Some people are diagnosed with asthma during their childhood, whereas others may develop it later in life. Insurers will want to understand what type you have and how well it’s managed.
For example:
The most common type is exercise-induced asthma (bronchoconstriction), where symptoms are triggered by physical activity.
People with allergic asthma may be triggered by allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander.
Those with non-allergic asthma might react to things like stress, cold air, or illness.
Some people suffer from seasonal asthma, where symptoms are worse during certain times of the year (often spring or autumn).
As with any pre-existing medical condition, the main thing insurers are looking at is how well your asthma is controlled. If your symptoms are mild and well-managed, it may be less likely to impact your ability to get cover.
How Does Asthma Affect the Cost of Life Insurance?
Even though asthma is usually considered a low-risk medical condition, it can still affect how much you pay for life insurance. In most cases, it comes down to the severity of your symptoms and how well your condition is managed.
When you apply, insurers will ask a few medical questions to get a better understanding of your health. Some of the key details they’ll want to know include:
When you were diagnosed with asthma
How often you experience symptoms
What medication or treatment you use (e.g. inhalers, oral steroids)
Whether you’ve ever been hospitalised because of your asthma
If you suffer from asthma attacks or complications
Whether you smoke
If your asthma is mild and well-controlled, and you’ve had no recent hospital visits, you may still be offered standard rates (the same as someone without asthma).
However, if you experience frequent symptoms, have been hospitalised, or suffer from severe attacks, your premiums could be higher. Being a smoker can also push up the cost, especially when combined with a condition like asthma.
Other factors could also increase your premiums, such as your age, health and the type of policy you want to take out.
What Type of Life Insurance Is Best If You Have Asthma?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but having asthma doesn’t limit the types of life cover you can apply for. The best option for you will usually depend on things like your budget, what you're looking to protect, and how long you need cover for.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the main types:
Term life insurance covers you for a fixed number of years, for example, 20 or 30 years. It’s usually the more affordable option and is ideal if you want cover while your children are growing up or while your mortgage is being paid off.
Whole of life insurance lasts until you die, whenever that may be. It guarantees a payout, but because the cover lasts forever, it tends to be more expensive.
Decreasing term cover is often used to cover a repayment mortgage. The payout amount goes down over time, in line with your remaining mortgage balance.
If you have asthma, you can still apply for any of these options. For most people with mild to moderate symptoms, the impact on their cover could be minimal.
Please note: The insurance products offered by Cavendish Online have no cash-in value at any time. If you stop paying your premiums your cover will stop, your policy will end, and you will receive no benefit.
If you are facing financial difficulty, please contact your insurer before cancelling your policy or letting it lapse. They may have options available that means you don't have to lose the plan.
Do I need to disclose asthma on a life insurance application?
Yes, any health condition, even if it seems minor, should be disclosed on your life insurance application.
Failing to mention your asthma could affect your cover in serious ways. For example, if you were to pass away due to a respiratory-related issue and the insurer found out you hadn’t disclosed your asthma, they could refuse to pay out a claim.
Even if the cause of death is unrelated, insurers have the right to review your medical history when a claim is made. If they find that you withheld information, they could cancel your policy altogether.
It’s always better to be upfront about your health, even if it means slightly higher premiums.
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Do You Need a Medical Exam to Get Life Insurance with Asthma?
In most cases, you won't need a medical exam if you apply for life insurance with asthma. However, if you have additional health conditions, such as heart problems, your insurer may ask to run some basic checks.
Can You Get Critical Illness Cover With Asthma?
Similar to applying for life insurance, having asthma doesn’t automatically prevent you from getting critical illness cover. Instead, it could affect the outcome depending on the severity of your condition.
It’s also important to note that asthma itself is not usually listed as a condition you can claim for under critical illness cover. However, complications that arise as a result of asthma, like respiratory failure, may be covered if they meet the insurer’s definition of a critical illness.
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[1]https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/asthma/types-asthma
