Healthy Lifestyle And Life Insurance Benefits 2025
If you’re considering getting life insurance, it’s important to know that your health and lifestyle can impact your ability to get cover.
Does my health status influence my life insurance options?
In this guide, we’ll discuss what medical conditions and lifestyle choices may affect life insurance policies, why it’s important to keep your life insurance company updated on any changes in your health, and whether or not you need a health check for life insurance.
Some life insurance companies require applicants to complete a health questionnaire or undergo a medical examination.
This is most likely to occur when the policy includes a critical illness benefit. The insurance application may stipulate that the applicant must be in good health.
Certain health conditions and lifestyle choices can often result in difficulty obtaining coverage or may lead to dramatically increased premiums.
Medical Conditions That Can Affect Life Insurance
Your medical history is one of the key factors that insurers consider when determining whether to offer you coverage.
Certain pre-existing medical conditions may mean you are considered a slightly higher risk to insure or might be charged more for coverage.
These conditions could include cancer, heart disease, diabetes or even mental health issues such as anxiety or depression.
It is important to disclose any pre-existing conditions when applying for life insurance so the insurer can properly assess how much risk you pose
Others typically include:
- Certain high-risk hobbies or jobs
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking (more than 21 units weekly for women or 28 units weekly for men)
- Health conditions like cancer, hypertension, diabetes, clinical obesity, specific disabilities, and heart defects
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What is the common definition of good health?
To be declared in good health, an individual usually does not take prescription medication regularly, except for minor medications such as those for hay fever.
The individual has not been absent from work due to sickness for more than two weeks during the most recent 12 months.
The person does not have mobility issues and is considered reasonably physically fit.
Good health does not equate to being teetotal or a super-fit individual. Life insurance companies recognise that few people are completely free from health issues and cater to customers with varying health statuses.
Lifestyle Choices That Can Affect Life Insurance
Insurers also consider other lifestyle choices that may affect the risk of insuring someone.
This could include smoking or using tobacco products, drinking alcohol excessively and taking part in dangerous activities like skydiving or rock climbing without having the correct safety equipment or training.
Failing to disclose these activities when applying for life insurance could result in a claim being rejected if an incident occurs while participating in them.
The tables below focus on how various lifestyle choices can impact life insurance policies, premiums, and coverage options, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of the subject.
Impact Of Lifestyle Choices On Life Insurance Premiums
| Lifestyle Choice | Potential Impact on Premiums | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Smoking | Increase | Smokers are at a higher risk of health issues, leading to higher premiums. |
| Alcohol Consumption | Increase or Special Terms | Excessive drinking can lead to health risks, affecting premiums and policy terms. |
| High-Risk Hobbies | Increase or Exclusion | Activities like skydiving may lead to higher premiums or exclusions in coverage. |
| Diet and Exercise | Decrease | A healthy lifestyle can lead to lower premiums due to reduced health risks. |
Life Insurance Coverage Options And Lifestyle
| Coverage Option | Description | Lifestyle Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Term Life Insurance | Fixed coverage for a specified term. | It may require lifestyle adjustments for better rates. |
| Whole Life Insurance | Permanent coverage with a cash value component. | Lifestyle can impact cash value growth and premiums. |
| Critical Illness Cover | Provides a lump sum on diagnosis of certain illnesses. | Healthy lifestyle choices can potentially lower premiums. |
| Income Protection | Replaces income during illness or injury. | Active and healthy lifestyles may favour better terms. |
Health Conditions And Life Insurance Eligibility
| Health Condition | Impact on Eligibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Disease | Potential Restrictions | May require detailed medical history and lifestyle changes. |
| Diabetes | Case-by-Case Basis | Controlled diabetes through lifestyle may improve terms. |
| Cancer | Special Terms or Decline | Depends on cancer type, stage, and lifestyle factors. |
| Obesity | Increased Premiums | Weight management through lifestyle can positively affect rates. |
Lifestyle Changes And Policy Adjustments
| Lifestyle Change | Policy Adjustment Needed | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Quitting Smoking | Yes | This can lead to significantly lower premiums. |
| Starting a High-Risk Hobby | Yes | It may require additional coverage or exclusions. |
| Significant Weight Loss | Yes | Could qualify for lower premiums due to improved health. |
| Alcohol Consumption Reduction | Potentially | It may affect premiums if initial consumption is declared high. |
Do You Need To Tell Your Insurer If Your Health Changes?
It is important to keep your life insurance company up-to-date on any changes in your health after taking out a policy so they can adjust their risk assessment accordingly.
This could include anything from a new diagnosis of a serious condition such as cancer, diabetes or heart disease to something more minor like an increase in blood pressure readings since taking out the policy.
Failure to inform them of these changes could result in rejected claims should something happen.
Does UK Life Insurance Cover Private Health Care?
The cover offered by UK life insurance companies can vary greatly. However, most UK life insurance policies generally do not include coverage for private health care.
Our private medical insurance guide covers everything you’ll likely need to know on this subject and the types of plans available.
Therefore, it is essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of any policy to determine whether it includes such coverage.
Health Lifestyle And Life Insurance Conclusion
Life insurers consider many factors when deciding if they can provide coverage and how much it will cost–from pre-existing medical conditions to lifestyle choices like smoking or excessive drinking.
It’s also important to be upfront about these things during the application process and to keep them updated on any changes that occur afterwards.
Knowing what affects life insurance policies can help ensure you get the best possible cover at an affordable price.
Linking Health and Preparedness
Leading a healthy lifestyle and choosing life insurance are both ways of making sweet lemonade from life’s bitter lemons, ensuring that you’re ready to face the future with confidence and vitality.
What if other life insurance companies have turned me away?
Contact us and let us review your situation because we might be able to help you in your search for the best UK life insurance policy.
Steve Case is a seasoned professional in the UK financial services and insurance industry, with over twenty years of experience. At Insurance Hero, Steve is known for his ability to simplify complex insurance topics, making them accessible to a broad audience. His focus on clear, practical advice and customer service excellence has established him as a respected leader in the field.
