Around 7.6 million people are living with a heart or circulatory disease in the UK[1]. If you have heart problems and are considering life insurance, you may be wondering whether you'll be accepted for cover.
The good news is that you could still get life insurance with a heart condition, however, this often can depend on other factors which we'll go into more detail below.
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Can I get a life insurance policy if I have a heart problem?
A heart problem or a history of heart disease can impact your application for life insurance cover, however, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be denied cover. Instead, the insurer will look at the severity of your condition and how it is treated, as well as your medical history.
Some insurers may have different underwriting guidelines, which means that while one insurer may offer you a policy, another may not. It could also mean you have to pay a higher monthly premium than someone without heart problems.
What do insurers consider a heart problem?
When you apply for life insurance, your insurer will ask you whether you suffer or have previously suffered from a medical condition including heart problems, such as:
Heart disease
Heart failure
Angina
Heart surgery or transplant
Congenital heart defects
Even if you don't have or have had a heart condition, there could be a history of heart problems in your family that insurers may take into account as part of their assessment.
It's crucial to disclose any kind of pre-existing condition you have to the insurer when you apply for cover. Withholding details could later lead to a claim being denied or the cancellation of your policy. Insurers can access your health records and may be able to tell if you have left out any information.
When would a heart problem prevent me from getting life insurance?
If you have had a serious heart condition or undergone major heart surgery recently, insurers may view you as a higher risk. In such cases, they might deny you cover entirely or impose restrictions on your policy.
Factors that might lead to a denial could include:
Recent heart attacks or surgeries (within the last year)
Severe heart diseases or conditions that are not well-managed
Complications arising from heart problems, such as heart failure or cardiovascular disease
A history of heart-related issues
Poor overall health or other significant medical conditions that combine with your heart problems
You have symptoms or are in the process of being evaluated for a heart condition.
In these situations, insurers may require further medical information or a waiting period before they consider offering you cover. You may also have to undergo a medical exam to assess your current health condition.
If any of the above sounds like your situation, please speak to an insurance adviser who can search the whole market to find you cover. There are some specialist insurers that are only available via an adviser.
You can contact our specialist team on
01392 436193
(Monday - Thursday 9am - 5.30pm, Friday 9am - 5pm)
What type of cover could I buy?
You may find it harder to get standard policies like whole life insurance or term life insurance. In this case, you could benefit from guaranteed life insurance, which is designed for those with pre-existing health conditions who would otherwise struggle to be accepted for cover.
Guaranteed life insurance typically does not require a medical exam or extensive health questions; however, it may come with higher premiums and lower coverage amounts compared to traditional policies.
Will life insurance pay out for deaths caused by heart problems?
Life insurance pays out a benefit to your beneficiaries upon your death, regardless of the cause, if it falls within the terms and conditions of the policy.
Provided you've disclosed any and all relevant information regarding your heart condition when applying for life insurance, your policy should cover you for death caused by heart problems. Some insurers may limit how much cover you can receive based on your condition or may have specific exclusions related to pre-existing heart issues.
However, if you have not disclosed pre-existing heart conditions or have provided inaccurate information on your application, your claim may be denied.
What if I suffer a heart problem during the policy?
If you were to suffer from heart issues during the policy, it won't affect the cost of your premiums or the payout value. This is because of the underwriting guidelines that typically state that your premium is determined at the time of application based on your health status at the time.
So, for example, if you suddenly developed an issue and later died of a heart attack, your insurer would be obligated to pay out the full cover amount.
What about critical illness cover?
Unlike life insurance, critical illness cover pays out if you are diagnosed with a serious illness or condition, such as a heart attack, stroke or certain types of cancer. Because of this, it can be difficult to get covered with a history of heart problems.
That's not to say everyone with heart issues would be automatically denied cover, but it would depend on the seriousness of your condition.
Just as for life insurance, the insurer will take into account your medical history, the severity of your heart issues, and whether they are well-managed. If you've not had any issues for an extended period and your condition is well-managed, you may still qualify for critical illness cover.
Getting cover with Cavendish Online
If you're looking to buy life insurance not sure about your options, or you have medical disclosures, then you should speak to an adviser.
When you speak to one of our advisers, they will engage with you over the phone to discuss your heart condition and help you understand the best options available for your situation. They can also guide you through the different types of insurance policies.
After your conversation, your adviser will conduct a thorough market analysis to ensure the recommendations they provide are tailored to your specific requirements.
You can begin your life insurance search today by calling our advisory team on
01392 436193
(Monday - Thursday 9am - 5.30pm, Friday 9am - 5pm)
[1] https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/news-from-the-bhf/contact-the-press-office/facts-and-figures
