Kidney Stones & Life Insurance

My dad has had recurrent kidney stones over the years, and he tells me it is one of the most painful things he has ever experienced. He does like to suggest it’s worse then childbirth, and we do have a little debate about that one!

Kidney stones may not be something that insurers are too bothered about, when you apply for life insurance. But sometimes they can lead to a few other questions, which is where we can step in and help you.

Things we need to know:

• How many kidney stones have you had?
• How often do you have them?
• Have you needed surgery to remove them?

When you have had kidney stones, iife insurance providers mainly want to know if there is a specific reason that you have had them. They will wonder if there is another condition that you have, that makes them develop.

Where kidney stones have passed naturally, and been a one-off instance, it is likely that life insurance will be offered at normal terms.

If you frequently have kidney stones, or have needed strong medication or surgery, it may be that the life insurer asks to see a report from your GP to confirm your health. This is most likely if you have another medical condition that is causing the kidney stones.

These reports are only seen by the insurer with your expressed permission, and it will not cost you a thing.

It is possible that if you have recurrent kidney stones, or you have another linked medical condition, that the life insurance will be offered at a higher premium. This is where the research that our advisers do on your behalf, becomes so important.

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 likely that kidney stones will pop up in your application for critical illness cover, especially if you have had them in the last few years.

Details about how many kidney stones that you have had and if you needed any treatment, will possibly need to be included.

If you have not had many kidney stones and have only had mild symptoms, critical illness cover might be available at normal terms.

If you have had multiple kidney stones and required strong treatment or medication, or have an illness that is causing the kidney stone production, you may be offered a policy at non-standard terms. This could include a premium increase, or some form of an exclusion to the policy.

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

Income protection for people that have had kidney stones can be available at standard terms. This is most likely if they have not caused you anytime off work, and you do not have them regularly.

If you regularly develop kidney stones, it is possible that the insurer will want to speak with your GP to establish your general state of health. Once the insurer has been able to review your medical records, you may be offered income protection at standard terms or special terms. This will typically be in the form of a premium increase of exclusion on the policy.

In cases where the kidney stones happen frequently and you have other medical conditions, it is possible that some insurers will decline your application for income protection.

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