Fibromyalgia & Life Insurance

We know that fibromyalgia can be a complex condition; my mother was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in her 50s. It’s mainly invisible and it can be exhausting to have to explain to people that you are in pain, or that the fibro fog is making it a bit harder to understand things.

Our advisers take the time to listen to you, to explain the insurance to you, and then find an insurer that is considerate of your health.

Things we need to know:

• When were you diagnosed with fibromyalgia?
• What medications do you take?
• Do you require mobility aids?
• Are you able to work?
• How does the fibromyalgia affect your daily living?

If you have fibromyalgia you should have no concerns applying for life insurance. Please don’t be surprised if the insurer that you apply to ask if they can speak with your GP. This is to confirm the strength of your symptoms, and whether there are any other medical conditions that affect your health.

Fibromyalgia can be treated with quite strong medication including anti-depressants for their pain killing affect. You will be asked a set of questions about your mental health, but please be assured that this is a standard part of many life insurance applications.

Insurance providers will look at fibromyalgia differently, some will be more open to your application than others.  The final price offered for life insurance will depend upon how much the conditions affects. A good indication of this is how much it affects your ability to do day to day activities and work.

If you have also been diagnosed with depression, some insurers may increase the policy premiums, due to the combination of both health conditions. 

If your symptoms are quite mild and do not have a large impact on your daily activities, you are likely to be accepted at normal rates with the right insurance company.

For people that are experiencing quite strong symptoms that are having a bigger impact on their life, it is likely that life insurance will have an increased premium.

The sound of this can put people off applying and we completely understand that, but the price increases are often not as bad as people think. Plus, the reason you want insurance in the first place is still there.

Our expert advisers will talk you through all of the options and prices that are going to be available to you. There is no obligation or tie-ins when you speak with you. 

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. 

Having mild fibromyalgia, should not prevent you from getting critical illness cover. If your symptoms are well controlled, then you are likely to have your application for critical illness cover accepted at normal terms.

If you are taking strong medications and your symptoms of fibromyalgia are having quite a big impact on your life, then you may find that critical illness cover is offered at an increased premium.

It is worth noting that many critical illness plans have an additional benefit called TPD (Total Permanent Disability). This is a claimable condition that pays out if you become totally and permanently disabled. Many people with fibromyalgia will find that TPD is not available on their policy.

This might not sound ideal, but please bear in mind that this is one condition. Most critical illness plans cover you for the diagnosis of over 50 conditions, including cancer, heart attacks and strokes.

Our experienced advisers can explain all these ins and outs to you.  

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

Income protection can sometimes be available when you have fibromyalgia. To get income protection, you will generally need to have been symptom free of fibromyalgia for at least one year, and have had mild symptoms beforehand.

For many people with fibromyalgia, it is likely that income protection will come with an exclusion. This will mean that you will not be able to make a claim if you are unable to work, due to the fibromyalgia.

Sometimes it is possible to ask an insurer to consider offering income protection with a premium increase, instead of an exclusion. 

You may want to look a non-medically underwritten policy like Accident, Sickness and Unemployment Cover, if you cannot get full income protection.

This policy type is accepted with no medical questions (so no price increases), but any claims linked to your fibromyalgia will be excluded. 

Are you going abroad? It could be a good idea to speak with a specialist travel insurance broker, that can explain exactly what you are covered for when it comes to fibromyalgia. For more details please visit our dedicated travel insurance page here.