Haemochromatosis & Life Insurance

We understand that having haemochromatosis is a condition that is individual to each person. The symptoms and affect that haemochromatosis has on a person’s life, is unique.

We are here to help you find the right insurer, to support you and your health. The more symptoms that the haemochromatosis causes, the more important it is to research multiple insurers to get the right match for you.

Things we need to know to help:

• When did you find out that you have haemochromatosis?
• What tests have you had done?
• Do you regularly have a phelbotomy?
• Have you developed any complications in your organs?

When you apply for life insurance, haemochromatosis is probably going to fall into most insurers questions. You are often asked about details of regular medication, or tests that you have had in the last five years.

If your haemochromatosis is well controlled and causes little impact upon your ability work and do regular day to day activities, life insurance may be available at normal terms.

It’s a good idea to be prepared that the insurer might ask to see a report from your GP. This is only done with your expressed permission. These reports should hopefully cause you no concern, it is simply the insurer wanting to confirm your health, with the technical medical knowledge that your GP can provide.

Where your symptoms and treatments for haemochromatosis are quite strong, or you have developed additional complications, the insurer may offer life insurance at non-standard terms. This would mean that the premiums are increased.

If your symptoms are not stable and you have a lot of complications, it is possible that some insurers may decline your application for life insurance. Our expert advisers are here to help talk you through the options that could be available with specialist insurers, if this is the case.

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.

It is possible that critical illness cover may be available to people living with haemochromatosis, if the condition is well controlled and mild.

It is quite likely that the insurer will ask your permission to speak with your GP, to confirm your medical history. This is not that they don’t believe what you are saying, but there are sometimes technical things about your health that your GP may have more details on. 

People that are more strongly affected by haemochromatosis, possibly developing other related medical conditions, may find that critical illness cover is offered at non-standard terms. This is most likely to be a premium increase to the policy, but there may be some policies that exclude conditions linked to the haemochromatosis.

We are able to arrange insurances on the standard market and with specialist insurers. Our team will be able to talk you through all of the different types of critical illness cover, that could be available to you.

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

Income protection for people living with haemochromatosis might be available at standard terms. This is most likely if your symptoms are well controlled and you have not developed any secondary conditions.

The insurance provider will be particularly interested in any time off work you’ve had due to the haemochromatosis.

Your application will most likely need to be supported by a report from your GP, detailing your symptoms, medications and treatments. If your symptoms of haemochromatosis are quite strong, or you require quite a bit of regular medical intervention, income protection may be offered at non-standard terms. This would typically include an increase to the premium or an exclusion for claims relating to haemochromatosis.

If you find that income protection is not available to you or  you do not like the terms that are offered, it could be worthwhile considering Accident, Sickness and Unemployment Cover.

This type of cover will pay a monthly income replacement for 12-24 months if you are unable to work due to injury, long-term disability or involuntary redundancy. Accident, Sickness and Unemployment policies are not medically underwritten meaning that your haemochromatosis will have no bearing upon the policy acceptance terms.

But, any claim that you place will exclude any pre-existing conditions including the haemochromatosis.

When you go on holiday, the last thing that you want to worry about is if your travel insurance is right. We work with a specialist travel broker, that can help you find the right travel insurance for you. To find out more, please visit our travel page here.