Can I Get Covered UK Checker
Pre-existing Conditions & UK Insurance Understand Your Life, Health & Critical Illness Options
Worrying about a pre-existing health condition is stressful enough. The thought that it might stop you from getting life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection can add another layer of anxiety. Many people simply assume they won't be accepted, or that the cost will be impossibly high.
But is that really the case?
The truth is, the UK insurance market is vast and varied. How one insurer views your health condition can be completely different from another. The key is understanding your options and knowing where to look.
That's where our simple, free tool comes in. The Can I Get Covered? Checker is designed to give you a clearer picture of your chances of securing cover, helping you take the next step with confidence.
What is a Pre-existing Condition?
In the world of insurance, a "pre-existing condition" is any illness, injury, or medical complaint that you have had before you apply for a new policy. Insurers need to know about these because their job is to assess risk, and your past and present health is a key part of that puzzle.
Common examples include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2)
- Asthma
- Depression or anxiety
- Cancer (even if in remission)
- Heart conditions
- Back problems
Just because you have one of these doesn't automatically mean you'll be declined for cover. Insurers will want to know more about its severity, how well it's managed, and when you last had symptoms or treatment.
How to Use the Can I Get Covered? Checker
Our calculator is designed to be quick and straightforward. It gives you an initial indication of how insurers might view your application, saving you time and worry.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Select Your Condition: Choose your primary health condition from the drop-down list. We've included many of the most common ones.
- Enter Your Details: You'll be asked a few simple, multiple-choice questions about your condition. This might include:
- The date of your diagnosis.
- The type and frequency of your treatment.
- When you last experienced symptoms.
- Other related health factors, like your BMI.
- Get Your Instant Result: The calculator will process your answers and provide an immediate assessment.
Understanding Your Result
The checker will give you one of three likely outcomes:
- Standard Rates Likely: This suggests that for your specific circumstances, you have a good chance of being offered cover at a standard price, with no special terms.
- Special Terms Likely: This means you'll probably be offered cover, but with some changes. This could be a "premium loading" (a higher price) or an "exclusion" (the policy won't pay out for claims related to your specific condition).
- A Decline is Possible: This indicates that based on the information provided, securing cover may be difficult with many standard insurers. However, it does not mean it's impossible.
This result is your starting point. It empowers you with the knowledge to have a more informed conversation with an adviser.
Your Insurance Options with a Health Condition
The impact of a pre-existing condition varies depending on the type of insurance you're applying for.
Life Insurance
Life insurance pays out a lump sum if you pass away during the policy term. When you apply, insurers look at any condition that could affect your life expectancy.
- Well-managed, minor conditions (e.g., mild asthma, historic anxiety) might not affect your premiums at all.
- More significant conditions (e.g., well-controlled Type 2 diabetes, a history of heart attack) will likely lead to a loaded premium.
- Serious or recently diagnosed conditions (e.g., recent cancer diagnosis) may be harder to cover, but specialist options often exist.
Critical Illness Cover
This cover pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specific serious illness listed in the policy, like a stroke, heart attack, or some types of cancer. Because of this, insurers are very focused on your health history. It is common for critical illness policies to have exclusions for conditions you already have. For example, if you have a history of heart problems, a new policy might exclude claims for any heart-related illness.
Income Protection
Income protection pays a regular monthly income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. Similar to critical illness cover, you may face either higher premiums or an exclusion related to your pre-existing condition.
| Insurance Type | Common Outcome for a Well-Managed Condition |
|---|---|
| Life Insurance | Standard rates or a small premium increase. |
| Critical Illness Cover | Premium increase and/or an exclusion for that condition. |
| Income Protection | Premium increase and/or an exclusion for that condition. |
The key takeaway is that an issue for one type of cover isn't necessarily a barrier for another. Use the Can I Get Covered? Checker to get a better idea for your specific situation.
Connecting Results to PMI and Life Insurance
The insights from the checker are particularly valuable when considering your broader protection needs, such as life insurance and Private Medical Insurance (PMI).
While the checker helps estimate your eligibility for life cover, it's vital to understand how PMI works differently.
Private Medical Insurance (PMI), often called private health insurance, is designed to cover the costs of treatment for new, acute conditions that arise after your policy begins.
Crucially, standard UK PMI policies do not cover pre-existing or chronic conditions.
- A pre-existing condition is anything you had symptoms of, or received advice or treatment for, before taking out the policy.
- A chronic condition is one that is ongoing and needs long-term management, like diabetes or Crohn's disease. PMI will not cover the management of these conditions.
So, while you can get excellent private care for a new hernia or a knee injury that happens next year, you cannot use PMI to manage your existing asthma or high blood pressure.
At WeCovr, we help clients find the right life insurance and can also arrange competitive private health insurance to give you peace of mind against future illnesses. As a bonus, WeCovr customers who purchase PMI or life insurance can often get discounts on other types of cover.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not Being Honest: The single biggest mistake is hiding a medical condition. Insurers can request your medical records when you make a claim. If you haven't declared something, your policy could be voided, and your family would receive nothing. Always be 100% truthful.
- Giving Up Too Easily: Don't assume a single rejection means you're uninsurable. The market is huge. What one company declines, another might accept with special terms.
- Not Using an Expert: Trying to navigate this alone is tough. A specialist broker, like the team at WeCovr, knows which insurers are more favourable for certain conditions. We do the shopping around for you, saving you time and stress.
What to Do After You Get Your Result
The checker provides a powerful first look. Here are your next steps:
- If you get a "Standard Rates" or "Special Terms" result: This is great news! Your next move is to gather any relevant medical information (e.g., recent check-up results, medication names) and speak to an adviser. They can help you complete an application and find the insurer offering the best possible terms.
- If you get a "Decline is Possible" result: Don't be disheartened. This is where expert help is most valuable. Many specialist insurers exist who are not on price comparison websites. An experienced broker can approach these providers on your behalf to find a solution.
No matter the result, knowledge is power. You're now in a much better position to find the right cover.
Get Clarity Today
Stop wondering and start knowing. In less than two minutes, our Can I Get Covered? Checker can give you the clarity you need to protect yourself and your family.
Once you have your result, let the expert team at WeCovr take it from there. We'll compare options from across the market to find you the best possible terms, whatever your medical history. What's more, all our valued customers get complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, to help support their health and wellness journey.
Use the checker now and take the first step towards securing your financial future.
