Behcet’s disease & Life Insurance

We understand that people with Behcet’s disease know how to properly monitor and best control their condition. While in some cases Behcet’s can have strong symptoms, in the vast majority of cases it will have no effect on a person’s lifespan. 

Despite, this, the condition can mean that an application for life insurance needs a bit more time to complete and find the right insurer for you.

For many people the symptoms of Behcet’s can be varied but it can often be treated quite easily. We also know that in some case people’s symptoms resolve completely. 

For many people with the condition, standard terms life insurance will be available. In other cases, for example, if you have frequent and persistent symptoms, you may be offered non-standard terms (which essentially means a higher price). This doesn’t necessarily mean that it becomes unaffordable.

To find the most appropriate policy for you, we’ll need some key information from you?

• Is your condition well controlled with medication?
• Do you have any secondary conditions?
• What is the frequency of the symptoms you experience?
• Are the symptoms persistent?
• What medication do you take?

From there, we can help you to find the most appropriate life insurance policy for your individual needs.

Critical illness cover pays out a cash lump sum of money, if you are diagnosed with a medical condition that is listed in the insurer’s claims set e.g. cancer, heart attack, stroke.

Behcet’s Disease will also have to be declared if you’re applying for critical illness cover. And the application for this type of cover will have a lot in common with the life insurance application.

The main things the insurer will be interested in are how severe the symptoms are that you experience, and how frequent they are. You’ll also be asked about how your condition is being managed and treated.

People with well controlled Behcet’s, where the symptoms do not occur very often, may be able get standard terms for critical illness cover. In other cases the policy may be offered at an increased premium or with exclusions.

Income protection pays you a replacement of your monthly income, if you are unable to work due to ill health.

Applications for income protection insurance when you have Behcet’s disease can be a little more difficult than the other types of insurances above. The main added layer of information to disclose here is the time you have had off work due to the condition. 

Because the symptoms of Behcet’s can be so varied, the effects upon a person’s ability to work with the condition vary too. Some symptoms (like stiff and swollen joints) can be painful and lead to absence from work. 

For that reason, most available income protection policies will have exclusions for claims related to Behcet’s disease, and may come at a higher price. 

If you do find that the terms you are offered on income protection simply don’t work for you, then Accident, Sickness and Unemployment Cover might be more appropriate. This sort of policy will provide you with a monthly income replacement of 12 to 24 months if you are unable to work due to long term injury, disability or redundancy.

Unlike income protection cover applications, there’s no medical underwriting required with Accident, Sickness and Unemployment cover. What that means is that your Behcet’s disease won’t have any bearing on the terms you are offered. That does make the application process simpler, but you should also be aware than that you won’t be able to make a claim relating to pre-existing medical conditions on the policy.  

Behcet’s Disease is a condition you should make any travel insurance provider aware of when travelling, either for a holiday or even work. Find out more by visiting our travel page here.