Ulcerative Colitis & Life Insurance

We know that having ulcerative colitis can be uncomfortable, but having it doesn’t mean that you can’t live to the full. It is our job to listen to you, listen to how you manage your health, and find an insurer that matches your needs.

Things we need to know:

• When were you diagnosed with ulcerative colitis?
• How regular are your flare ups?
• When was your last flare up?
• Do you take any medication to control your symptoms?
• Are you able to work?
• Are you due to have or have you had surgery (e.g. colectomy)?

Ulcerative colitis Life Insurance applications can be accepted by many insurers. For those who have a few flare-ups a year and are otherwise symptom free, ordinary rates can be secured for Life Insurance provided that only mild medications are in use. When you apply for Life Insurance, ulcerative colitis that causes regular symptoms combined with stronger medication/treatment (eg immunosuppressants), may result in your cover being accepted at non-standard terms (premium increase).

Where the ulcerative colitis has been combined with liver disease, there has been recent surgery or surgery is scheduled for the future e.g. colectomy or ileostomy, it is possible that the insurers on the standard market may postpone or decline your application for Life Insurance. You may also have your Life Insurance postponed by insurers on the standard market if you have been admitted to hospital in the last year, due to your ulcerative colitis, or are newly diagnosed with the condition.

If you find that you are unable to get Life Insurance on the standard market, there are specialist insurers that will be able to offer you the cover.

When you apply for Critical Illness Cover, ulcerative colitis will need to be detailed to the insurer in the same way as you would do for Life Insurance. The insurer is going to want to when you were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, details of medications and treatments you take, information regarding any surgery that has been performed or is planned, and how many flare ups you have each year. Where mild medication is in use, it is possible that Critical Illness Cover will be available at either normal terms. or with a premium increase depending upon the insurer that you choose.

Where the ulcerative colitis is controlled with stronger medication or treatments, it is likely that any offer of Critical Illness Cover that you have will be at non-standard rates. This could be a premium increase or possibly an exclusion for any claim related to the ulcerative colitis. In severe cases it is possible that your application will be postponed or declined.

As with Life Insurance, your Critical Illness Cover application may be postponed or declined by insure on the standard market, if you take strong medication to control the ulcerative colitis, there have been recent or upcoming surgeries planned, or hospital admission within the last 12 months. There are specialist insurers that can offer you Critical Illness Cover if this is the case.

When you apply for Income Protection, ulcerative colitis will result in your application being looked at quite thoroughly by insurance underwriters. You may find that the insurer wants to see a report from your GP, detailing how the ulcerative colitis affects you on a regular basis, and to get a general picture of your health. If you have few flare-ups per year and take mild medication, Income Protection will probably be accepted with a premium increase or an exclusion for ulcerative colitis related claims. Where strong medications are in use, regardless of the number of flare-ups a year, Income Protection may be available with a premium increase, an ulcerative colitis exclusion, or be declined.

Are you going on holiday? It can be worthwhile speaking with a specialist travel insurance broker, to find out exactly what you are and are not covered for, when it comes to the ulcerative colitis. For more details, please see our travel page here.