Denied Life Insurance in the UK: What Are The Next Steps?

Have you been refused life insurance cover?

Have you been denied life insurance because of lifestyle factors or even been given no reason at all?

Insurance Hero has a lot of experience with people who have had a life insurance application declined.

We have a panel of specialist insurers, so an experienced insurance advisor can discuss the specific reasons you were initially deemed too high risk.

In the calendar year 2024, of the people who contacted us who had been denied life insurance, we managed to get cover for 83.4% of them.

Please complete the form below to determine if our insurers are right for you.

Can you picture going to your nearby gym, eager for a healthier way of life, only to be told you’re too out of shape to begin?

When people seek life insurance in the UK and unexpectedly get denied, it can feel like that.

It’s like wanting to take a safety class but being turned away because you’re seen as too clumsy. How can we make good decisions if our needs are kept beyond our reach?

Attempting to secure life insurance can feel disappointing. One moment, you’re full of hope and the next, it feels nearly as if your safety net has been swiftly removed. Trust us, we realise how overwhelming this can feel.

Discover why insurers sometimes reject your applications, and we’ll help you plan effective steps to recover from such disappointments. We’ll even show you how getting expert advice or making some important lifestyle tweaks could reopen those closed doors.

The Impact of Lifestyle Choices on Life Insurance

Your daily choices can undoubtedly make a difference regarding life insurance applications. So, how do these everyday decisions impact it?

Insurance companies have one main thing in mind. They care about the risk they may take by covering you. An examination of medical history and age is performed.

What about smokers? Well, this habit makes getting life insurance more challenging. Why? It’s because health issues related to smoking, like heart disease and lung cancer, scare insurers. Too risky, they believe.

Are you into high-risk hobbies? Like skydiving or car racing? These might be a stumbling block when applying for life insurance. These hobbies can raise the chances of an accidental death, which insurers don’t like.

An inactive lifestyle with poor eating habits creates health issues. The mere thought of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes is enough for insurance companies to consider rejecting your application.

Controlling these risk factors is critical when applying for insurance. To improve your odds, sticking to a healthier routine is essential.

Adopting healthier lifestyles like working out and eating well could help a lot. It does not just boost health but also improves the chances of getting life insurance coverage.

How to respond when your life insurance application is denied even with specialist insurers

Even if your life insurance application got the thumbs-down due to health issues or risky antics, don’t lose hope – you’ve got options.

After that discouraging denial, your immediate response should be to challenge the insurance company’s choice. This involves asking them to rethink their circumstances and reassess their decision.

To boost your chances of scoring a successful appeal, ensure nothing supporting your case – like your medical records or other crucial documents – slips through the cracks. Getting an expert’s advice before you enter into an appeal could be helpful. 

If your appeal doesn’t pan out or the whole ordeal feels too daunting, you might want to seek assistance from a broker experienced in handling more complex cases. The Insurance Hero team would be more than happy to help.

We could be your lifeline and can often pinpoint insurance companies open to providing coverage to those rejected elsewhere. We know which insurers are more willing to accept certain risks.

Maybe your insurance needs a custom fit, like a 50s Life Cover plan, which doesn’t require a health checkup or Income Protection Insurance. These policy types don’t have such stringent acceptance rules.

A life insurance application denial isn’t the end of the world. There are steps to bounce back, and experts are ready to help guide you every step of the way.

Alternative Insurance Options in the UK for a first life insurance application

Have you considered Over 50s Plans? They are worth considering if you’re over half a century young. No intrusive health checks and guaranteed acceptance. And, of course, a monetary payout for your loved ones when you pass away.

Next up is the Critical Illness Cover. This is your safety net if you have an illness covered under your policy.

There’s another option: Guaranteed Life Insurance. You might know it as the “no medical questions” life insurance.

This is for people who’ve struggled to get regular coverage because of certain health conditions or age restrictions.

This policy lets you bypass a medical during application. The premiums might be slightly more than standard policies, but the point is that your family isn’t left high and dry.

It’s also worth giving your boss a nudge about group schemes. These often don’t demand your full medical history and can offer robust protection, even if you’ve been given the cold shoulder before.

They’re typically cheaper than going solo. The risk is shared among your colleagues, which cuts costs for all.

The Role of Specialist Brokers for High-Risk Applicants Wanting Cheap Life Insurance

A specialist broker is like your guide in unknown territory. They help you so you don’t make a mistake, and they assist you in picking the right path to get to your goal. The idea behind this is to keep you on track and to ensure your application process is successful.

Securing life insurance can feel like you’re climbing a daunting mountain, especially after experiencing denial.

As I mentioned earlier, specialist brokers can be your best option.

Specialist brokers know high-risk life insurance and are used to dealing with complex cases.

Unlike their standard counterparts, specialist brokers don’t shy away from the challenge of helping people with health issues or adrenaline-pumping hobbies.

They have industry experience but know who to contact to find insurers who’d bet on high-risk individuals.

Has your application been denied repeatedly? No problem. Insurance Hero can put forward a compelling case for reconsideration, underscoring any progress you’ve made since your last application.

The importance of complete honesty and consent to a medical exam

With life insurance applications, honesty, without a doubt, is the best policy.

It might seem tempting to downplay certain aspects of your health or lifestyle while hiding some bits here and there. But, honestly, it’s more trouble than it’s worth.

Insurance companies thoroughly scrutinise claims of concealing information using dependable techniques. These include tools like fraud detection systems, pre-insurance medical checkups, data from other insurance providers, and even investigations after death if a payout claim is made. 

You should also be aware that providing false information might land you with policy issues and legal trouble.

Being crystal clear in your communications during your life insurance application pays off. This honesty won’t just help you steer clear of potential pitfalls but also give you peace of mind.

Your loved ones will be well taken care of and have provisions laid out for them in the face of any unexpected situations.

When you provide the correct information, insurance providers have no reason to turn down your claims due to unexpected discoveries. You’ll then be able to secure a policy that aligns perfectly with your needs and lifestyle.

Reapplying for Life Insurance After Denial with different insurers who have not previously refused cover

Health generally sits high on the insurers’ radar. Issues like heart disease or diabetes probably tripped you up the first time around.

But if you’re on a mission to tackle these health challenges head-on with the proper exercise and medication, there’s a chance the insurance company could reconsider their initial stance.

Make sure to keep your weight balanced, quit cigarettes if you can, and reduce your alcohol consumption. Remember that insurers often expect you to prove your long-term health goals before they entertain the thought of amending their original stance on your application.

If you’ve been denied, contact your insurer, and don’t hesitate to ask for an in-depth explanation.

If health setbacks were the issue during your first run, obtaining more medical tests may help in your new application. A successful application is often related to accurate and detailed medical results.

A common question that crops up is – “When should I try again?” Putting off for six months to a year could buy you the time needed to make noticeable improvements and improve your odds.

Devote this time to improving the areas that may have let you down.

Being declined life insurance is more common than you expect

Considering your lifestyle and habits is a good first step when considering life insurance. Honesty is essential because even a little lie might deny your application or stop your future policy from paying out.

High-risk people may need help from a skilled agent. They do more than help with forms; they can find the best insurance companies for you.

All the application rules and laws should be followed, and you need to keep an open line of communication to prevent your application from being denied because of misunderstandings.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, limiting bad habits like smoking or drinking too much, and getting regular health checkups will show insurance companies that you’re in good health.

Avoid dangerous hobbies like skydiving because they could lead to high monthly payments or your application getting denied.

Think of it as helpful advice showing you a better insurance plan. Consider the different types of insurance available to see which one might be best for your needs.

Securing life insurance takes time and patience, but it’s worth it. It’s about more than just getting through the challenging parts; it’s about finding a deal that fits your budget.

Plus, looking at offers from well-known UK insurance companies like InsuranceHero could help save money.

Making sure your family will have enough money in the future with a quick, 60-second quote is less about spending a lot of money right now and more about probably saving a lot later.

If you’d like to see what InsuranceHero can do for you, please get in touch. We can shop around and get you the best possible deal. It’s free to get a quote and free to apply. Get in touch today!

Common issues and frequently asked questions you should consider before your next application:

• Common medical grounds due to your family medical history
• Medical information like blood sugar problems or high cholesterol
• Extreme sports participation or dangerous job
• Medical conditions impacting your driving record
• The impact of the waiting period