Asthma Life Insurance Coverage Guide

Have you been suffering from Asthma and considering life insurance coverage? Maybe you’ve been turned down before and are worried you’ve run out of options?

Have Asthma And Need Cover? Compare The Leading Life Insurance Companies Today

A Recent Asthmatic’s Life Insurance Policy (With Costs)

Applicant Information	Asthma Life Insurance Policy Details
Date of Birth & Smoking Status	Born in 1994, and doesn’t smoke
Height & Bodyweight	5 ft 9 tall and weighs 11 stone 8 pounds
Asthma Background	Diagnosed with asthma during their early teens
Medical History	Experienced a moderate episode in 2024 requiring two days in hospital with nebuliser treatment
Insurance Coverage	£246,000 mortgage protection cover
Policy Duration	30-year term
Premium Structure	Fixed monthly payments
Monthly Premium	£10.58 per month

An Explanation of Asthma

A simple definition of asthma is the inflammation of the bronchi, commonly known as the airways.

These tiny tubes carry oxygen in and out of the lungs, and when someone has asthma, they become inflamed after exposure to an irritant, causing chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

An asthma attack is classified by the onset of these symptoms, which can vary in severity. Depending on the severity, these symptoms may require the individual to go to a hospital for treatment.

Although the exact cause of asthma is unknown, several theories exist regarding how asthma develops in individuals.

Some of these theories link asthma to a family history of the condition and an association with other conditions, such as certain allergies and eczema.

Environmental factors, along with some of the theories mentioned earlier, are also considered when determining how asthma develops.

How is Asthma Treated?

There is currently no cure for asthma, but several treatments are available that are effective in managing the condition and preventing asthma attacks, as well as helping to control and alleviate symptoms.

These treatments include specific medications, identifying individual triggers or irritants, and some lifestyle changes.

Some treatments currently available in the United Kingdom include oral steroids, preventers, and reliever inhalers.

How Can Asthma Affect Your Life Insurance Application?

Having a pre-existing condition, such as asthma, can slightly increase life insurance premiums, as insurers consider pre-existing conditions when determining coverage and costs.

Insurers will closely examine the individual’s medical history when applying for life insurance.

For pre-existing conditions such as asthma, the increased cost of coverage is usually determined by the severity of the condition and the recency of symptoms.

Since asthma is a common condition diagnosed early, symptoms are usually well-managed when an individual applies for life insurance.

Because of this, many insurers will issue these individuals “standard term” insurance.

In cases where symptoms are more severe and have resulted in hospital attention or prescription needs in the previous two years, insurers may offer individuals “rater premiums.”

This means the policy costs more to account for the additional risk posed by the condition.

Another route that some insurance companies will take is to ask the applicant for more detailed information and a history of their condition to make a more informed decision.

It is important to remember that not all life insurance providers are created equally.

Because of this, each insurer may have a different policy regarding covering individuals with asthma and how they rate premium payments based on lifestyle factors and medical conditions.

The professional insurance consultants at Insurance Hero can help individuals who have conditions such as asthma find an affordable life insurance policy with pre-existing conditions that meets all their needs.

Types of Life Insurance Policies available

Policy Type	Description
Term Life Insurance	A common type of policy for family protection
Mortgage Life Insurance	Decreasing term for mortgage protection
Critical Illness Cover	For serious medical conditions
Income Protection	For loss of income due to illness
Whole of Life Insurance	For your entire life, often for tax planning
Family Income Benefit	Regular income payout instead of a lump sum

General Considerations To Be Aware Of

Consideration	Detail
Application Process	Similar to non-asthmatics
Severity of Asthma	Affects the ease of getting insurance
Regular Policy Review	Recommended
Comparison Across Providers	Advised

Is asthma a pre existing medical condition?

Asthma is considered a pre-existing medical condition in the UK life insurance market. Insurers evaluate its severity and management level to determine policy terms and premiums.

Controlled asthma may have minimal impact, but severe cases can sometimes affect coverage and costs. It is wise to disclose all health details for an accurate policy assessment.

How does smoking affect asthma life insurance coverage?

Smoking with asthma usually leads to higher life insurance premiums in the UK because underwriters view the combination as a higher respiratory and cardiovascular risk.

Most insurers class you as a smoker if you have used any tobacco or nicotine product, including vapes or nicotine replacement, in the last 12 months.

Athmatic smokers often face percentage loadings on top of standard smoker rates, especially if usage is heavier.

Stopping all nicotine for at least 12 months can allow reapplication or repricing as a non‑smoker with many providers, potentially reducing premiums if asthma remains stable.

Is asthma a critical illness?

Asthma is typically not classified as a critical illness, and critical illness coverage focuses on more severe conditions like cancer or heart disease.

Because it’s generally viewed as a low-risk, non-serious condition by many insurers, it usually isn’t included on the list of illnesses covered by most critical illness policies.

However, severe asthma cases might influence life insurance premiums and terms.

Current Statistics

According to Asthma + Lung UK’s 2024 Annual Report:

Statistic	Figure	Source
Total number of people diagnosed	5.4 million	Asthma + Lung UK (2024)
Children affected	1.1 million	NHS Digital, Hospital Episode Statistics (2023/24)
Adults affected	4.3 million	GP Patient Survey (2024)
The number of severe asthma cases	250,000 estimated	British Thoracic Society (2024)
% of the population with the condition	8.3%	ONS Population Estimates + Asthma + Lung UK
Annual Deaths	~3 per day (1,000+ annually)	Asthma + Lung UK Mortality Review

Sources:

1. Asthma + Lung UK. (2024). “Annual Asthma Survey Report 2024.”
   View Report
2. NHS Digital. (2024). “Hospital Episode Statistics 2023/24.”
3. British Thoracic Society. (2024). “Severe Asthma Guidelines.”
4. Office for National Statistics. (2024). “Population Estimates.”

Data Currency: All statistics verified as of November 2025
Next Update: Due June 2026 (following Asthma + Lung UK annual report)

Income Protection Insurance and Asthma

Income protection insurance provides financial support if you cannot work due to illness or injury.

If you have asthma, you may be concerned about how it will affect your income protection insurance application.

However, many insurance providers offer income protection insurance to people with asthma, and the severity of your symptoms will play a significant role in determining your premiums.

If you have mild asthma, you may be able to secure income protection insurance at standard rates.

However, if your asthma is more severe or you’ve experienced frequent asthma attacks, you may face higher premiums or special terms.

It’s important to disclose your asthma symptoms and medical history when applying for income protection insurance to ensure you receive accurate quotes and coverage.

Some insurance providers may offer income protection insurance with exclusions for asthma-related claims.

In this case, you may want to consider alternative providers that offer more comprehensive coverage. You should review your policy terms and conditions to understand what is covered and what is not.

Finding Affordable Life Insurance with Asthma

Finding affordable life insurance with asthma requires careful consideration and research.

Here are some tips to help you find the best life insurance policy for your needs:

• Compare quotes: Shop around and compare quotes from different insurance providers to find the best rates.
• Disclose your medical history: Be honest about your asthma symptoms and medical history to ensure you receive accurate quotes and coverage.
• Choose the right policy: When selecting a life insurance policy, consider your financial situation, dependents, and lifestyle.
• Consider a specialist broker: A specialist broker like Insurance Hero can help you find the best life insurance policy for your needs and budget.
• Review policy terms and conditions: Understand what is covered and what is not, including exclusions or limitations.

Medical Exams and Asthma

If you’re applying for life insurance with asthma, you may be required to undergo a medical exam. The purpose of the medical exam is to assess your overall health and determine the level of risk you pose to the insurance provider.

During the medical exam, you’ll be asked about your asthma symptoms, asthma medication, medical history, smoking status and treatment plan. You may also be required to provide medical records or undergo additional testing, such as a lung function test.

You may not be required to undergo a medical exam if you have mild asthma. However, if your asthma is more severe or you’ve experienced frequent asthma attacks, a medical exam may be necessary to assess your risk level.

You should be truthful about your asthma symptoms and medical history during the medical exam to ensure you receive accurate quotes and coverage.

Failure to disclose your medical history can result in your policy being invalidated or claims being denied.

In some cases, insurance providers may offer non-medical life insurance policies, which do not require a medical exam.

However, these policies may have higher premiums or limited coverage. It’s crucial to review policy terms and conditions carefully before deciding.

References & Sources

Medical Information Sources:

1. NHS. (2025). “Asthma: Overview.” NHS.UK.
   https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/asthma/
   Last reviewed: October 2025

2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2024).
   “Asthma: diagnosis, monitoring and chronic asthma management (NG80).”
   https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng80
   Published: November 2024

3. British Thoracic Society. (2024). “British Guideline on the Management
   of Asthma.” BTS/SIGN Guidelines.
   https://www.brit-thoracic.org.uk/quality-improvement/guidelines/asthma/
   Updated: September 2024

Statistical Data Sources:

6. NHS Digital. (2024). “Hospital Episode Statistics: Admitted Patient Care.”
   https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/hospital-admitted-patient-care-activity/2024-25
   Published: September 2024

Last Updated

All sources verified and accessed: November 28, 2025
Next scheduled review: May 28, 2026

Citation Standards

This page follows standard academic citation practices. Authoritative sources support all factual
claims. Where sources conflict, multiple perspectives are presented. For the most current information, please consult the sources linked above.

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