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Asthma Life Insurance Coverage Guide For 2025

Elaine Brookes Steve Case

Author: Steve Case - Insurance Expert

Reviewed & Fact Checked By: Elaine Brookes

Updated: 18th January 2025

asthma life insurance

Suffering from Asthma and considering life insurance? You can likely get cover when the condition is mild and identified a while ago.

Insurance Hero can help you find a life insurance policy that covers your pre-existing condition at a standard rate or with a small loading. With our help, your asthma does not have to affect the cost of life insurance.

Features Of Asthma Life Insurance Include:

  • Great terms for all age groups – not just over 50-year-olds
  • Life cover for those divorced or separated
  • Policies for UK ex-pats
  • Cover for mortgage payments
  • Over 50 life insurance no medical exam
  • Critical Illness coverage, separate or in combination with life insurance, at little extra cost
  • Competitive pricing on joint policies – excellent value

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

asthma life insurance companies
  • Our price match promise means we will find you the right cover for your personal circumstances at the lowest price possible. Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

life insurance asthma sufferers

Asthma Life Insurance Quotes Reasons To Choose Us:

  • Compared With The Main Competition, There Are Fewer Exclusions For Asthma Sufferers
  • Secure Online Quotes. 5-Star Rated Service
  • Protect Your Financial Future. 60-Second Form. Great Selection Of Insurance Plans. Safeguard Your Family
  • Reliability – Honesty – Caring – Trustworthy – Amazing Prices – Uk Based Staff And No Overseas Call Centres
  • Provides an inheritance gift for your children

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 suffers from asthma, they become inflamed after contact with an irritant, causing tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing.

An asthma attack is classified when these symptoms begin and 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 combined with some of the theories as mentioned earlier are also considered when determining how asthma is developed.

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 specific triggers or irritants for an individual, 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? Can you get life insurance if you have asthma?

life insurance denied asthma

Having a pre-existing condition such as asthma can slightly raise premium payments when applying for life insurance, as insurers consider pre-existing medical 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 life insurance with asthma 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 that the cost of the policy is higher to account for the additional risk of 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.

The tables below summarise key points about life insurance for people with asthma, including aspects of coverage, critical illness coverage, and factors affecting insurance premiums:

StatisticDetail
Total Diagnosed5.3 million
‘Difficult’ Asthma Cases1 million
‘Severe’ Asthma Cases200,000
Percentage of PopulationOver 12%
QuestionAnswer
Does life insurance cover asthma?Yes
Are recent hospitalisations a concern?Yes
Impact of SmokingHigher Risk
Possibility of CoverageHigh
AspectDetail
Payout PossibilityYes
Uses of PayoutMortgage, Debts, Rent, School Fees, Living Costs
QuestionAnswer
Does it cover asthma?No
Coverage for ComplicationsYes
Examples of ComplicationsLung Collapse, Respiratory Failure, Severe COPD
FactorConsideration
Age at DiagnosisAssessed
Medication and TreatmentAssessed
Severity and Frequency of AttacksAssessed
Hospitalisation HistoryAssessed
Work Absence Due to AsthmaAssessed
Policy TypeDescription
Term Life InsuranceA common type of policy for family protection
Mortgage Life InsuranceDecreasing term for mortgage protection
Critical Illness CoverFor serious medical conditions
Income ProtectionFor loss of income due to illness
Whole of Life InsuranceFor your entire life, often for tax planning
Family Income BenefitRegular income payout instead of lump sum
ConsiderationDetail
Application ProcessSimilar to non-asthmatics
Severity of AsthmaAffects the ease of getting insurance
Regular Policy ReviewRecommended
Comparison Across ProvidersAdvised

Is asthma a pre existing medical condition?

In the UK life insurance market, asthma is considered a pre-existing medical condition. 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. For an accurate policy assessment, it is wise to disclose all health details.

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

It’s essential to disclose your asthma symptoms when applying for asthma life insurance quotes to ensure appropriate coverage.

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: Consider your financial situation, dependents, and lifestyle when selecting a life insurance policy.
  • 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.

If you have mild asthma, you may not be required to undergo a medical exam. 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.

By following these tips, you can find affordable life insurance with asthma that provides financial protection for you and your loved ones.

Life insurance for asthmatics, Further medical references:

http://www.asthma.org.uk/

https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Asthma/