Life Insurance for People with Arthritis UK

Living with arthritis presents unique daily challenges, from managing pain and stiffness to navigating a world that isn't always built for those with mobility issues. Amidst these concerns, the thought of securing your family's financial future with life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection can feel like another daunting hurdle.

Many people with musculoskeletal conditions worry that their health will automatically lead to exorbitant premiums or outright rejection. But is this really the case?

The good news is that having arthritis does not mean you are uninsurable. Far from it. In the UK, millions of people with arthritis successfully secure the financial protection they need every year. The key lies in understanding how insurers view your condition, how to present your case, and the vital role that expert advice plays in the process.

This comprehensive guide will demystify life insurance for people with arthritis. We will explore how your musculoskeletal health impacts your policy, what insurers need to know, and the practical steps you can take to secure the best possible terms for you and your loved ones.

Does musculoskeletal health impact your policy?

Yes, absolutely. Your musculoskeletal health is a significant factor in any application for life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection. Insurers are in the business of assessing risk, and a long-term condition like arthritis is a key part of that evaluation.

To an underwriter—the person who assesses your application—a diagnosis of arthritis raises several questions:

• Longevity: Could the condition or its treatments potentially impact your life expectancy?
• Co-morbidity: Does it increase the risk of developing other health problems, such as cardiovascular disease?
• Disability: How does it affect your ability to perform daily activities or, crucially for income protection, to work?
• Severity and Progression: Is the condition stable and well-managed, or is it progressive and likely to worsen over time?

With over 10 million people in the UK living with arthritis or similar joint conditions, according to the NHS, insurers are very familiar with these applicants. They have sophisticated methods for assessing the associated risks, but their conclusions will depend entirely on the specific details of your individual situation.

The type of arthritis you have is the first and most crucial piece of the puzzle.

Understanding Arthritis: What Insurers Need to Know

The term "arthritis" is an umbrella for over 100 different conditions. Insurers do not treat them all the same. The most common forms they encounter are Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, and their approaches to each are markedly different.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

This is the most prevalent type of arthritis in the UK, affecting over 8.5 million people. Often described as "wear and tear" arthritis, it occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaks down over time.

How Insurers View Osteoarthritis: For the most part, mild to moderate OA is viewed favourably. If your condition is confined to one or two joints, managed with occasional painkillers or physiotherapy, and doesn't significantly impede your daily life, you may even secure life insurance at standard rates.

Insurers will want to know:

• Which joints are affected (e.g., knees, hips, hands).
• The severity of your symptoms (pain, stiffness).
• The type of medication you take (over-the-counter vs. strong prescription opioids).
• Whether you have had, or are waiting for, joint replacement surgery.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing painful swelling, primarily in the joints. It is a systemic disease, which means it can also affect other parts of thebody, including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.

How Insurers View Rheumatoid Arthritis: Because of its systemic nature, insurers assess RA more carefully than OA. They are concerned not only with the joint damage but also the potential for complications affecting major organs, which can increase the risk of a claim on a life or critical illness policy.

Insurers will focus on:

• The date of your diagnosis.
• The frequency and severity of "flare-ups".
• Your current treatment plan, especially the use of Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) like methotrexate or biologic therapies.
• Any evidence of the disease affecting other organs.
• Results from recent blood tests and check-ups with your rheumatologist.

Other Forms of Arthritis

Insurers will also ask about less common types, each with its own underwriting considerations:

• Psoriatic Arthritis: An inflammatory arthritis that affects some people with the skin condition psoriasis. Underwriting is similar to RA, looking at severity and systemic involvement.
• Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): Primarily affects the spine, causing vertebrae to fuse over time. Insurers will be interested in your mobility, posture, and any respiratory complications.
• Gout: Caused by a build-up of uric acid. If it's an isolated, well-managed case, the impact on your application may be minimal. However, chronic gout can be linked to kidney and heart issues, which will be assessed.

Here’s a summary of what insurers typically focus on for each condition:

The Insurance Application Process with Arthritis

Applying for protection insurance when you have arthritis requires a bit more detail than for someone with no pre-existing conditions. Being prepared can make the process smoother and faster.

Step 1: The Application Form This is your opportunity to provide a clear and accurate picture of your health. It is legally vital that you declare your arthritis and answer all questions with complete honesty. Failure to disclose a pre-existing condition can invalidate your policy, meaning your family would receive nothing if you were to pass away.

Expect questions such as:

• What type of arthritis were you diagnosed with?
• When was your initial diagnosis?
• Which parts of your body are affected?
• How would you describe the severity of your symptoms (e.g., mild, moderate, severe)?
• Please list all medications you take for the condition, including dosage.
• Have you undergone or are you scheduled for any surgery (e.g., joint replacement)?
• Does your condition limit your ability to work or perform normal daily tasks (e.g., washing, dressing, walking)?

Step 2: The GP Report (GPR) For almost all applications involving arthritis (especially RA and severe OA), the insurer will write to your GP for a copy of your medical records. This is a standard part of the process and is done at the insurer's expense. The GPR allows the underwriter to verify the information you’ve provided and get a complete medical history, including consultation notes, test results, and specialist letters.

Step 3: A Nurse Screening or Medical Exam In some cases, particularly if you are applying for a very large amount of cover or if your medical history is complex, the insurer may request a medical examination. This is usually carried out by a nurse at your home or workplace and is also paid for by the insurer. It typically involves measuring your height, weight, blood pressure, and taking blood and urine samples. This gives the insurer the most up-to-date information on your current health status.

How Arthritis Affects Different Types of Insurance

The impact of your arthritis diagnosis will vary significantly depending on the type of cover you are applying for.

Life Insurance

Life Insurance pays out a lump sum or a regular income upon your death. It's designed to help your loved ones manage financially, covering things like mortgage payments, household bills, and funeral costs.

• For Osteoarthritis: If your OA is mild, well-controlled, and doesn't severely impact your mobility, you have a good chance of securing life insurance at standard rates (the same price as someone without the condition). For more severe cases, or if you are awaiting major surgery like a hip or knee replacement, you might face a premium loading (an increase of 25-75% on the standard price).
• For Rheumatoid Arthritis: Due to the systemic risks, standard rates are very rare. You should expect a premium loading, which could range from +50% to +150% or more, depending on the severity, control, and complications of your RA. In very severe, poorly controlled cases, an application could be postponed or declined.

Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

CIC pays out a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a specific list of serious illnesses, such as some forms of cancer, heart attack, or stroke.

This is often the most challenging cover to secure for those with inflammatory arthritis.

• Arthritis is not a "critical illness": You cannot claim on a CIC policy for your arthritis diagnosis itself.
• Increased Risk Factor: Insurers are concerned that the systemic inflammation associated with RA or psoriatic arthritis increases your risk of developing other covered conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease.
• Potential Outcomes:
  • Premium Loading: A significant premium increase is highly likely for anyone with RA applying for CIC.
  • Exclusions: The insurer might offer cover but exclude claims for certain conditions. For example, Total Permanent Disability (TPD) is often excluded for people with severe arthritis, as the condition itself can lead to disability.
  • Decline: In cases of severe, active, or complicated RA, a CIC application may be declined.

Income Protection (IP)

Income Protection is arguably the most important policy for anyone of working age, especially those who are self-employed. It pays a monthly replacement income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury.

Given that musculoskeletal issues are one of the leading causes of long-term work absence in the UK, insurers are extremely cautious when underwriting IP for people with arthritis.

• Potential Outcomes:
  1. Standard Terms: This is very unlikely unless you have the mildest form of OA with minimal symptoms.
  2. Premium Loading: The insurer may increase the premium to reflect the higher risk of a claim.
  3. Musculoskeletal Exclusion: This is the most common outcome. The insurer will offer you a policy but will add an exclusion clause stating that you cannot claim for any condition related to your bones, muscles, or joints.

Is IP with an exclusion still worthwhile? Absolutely. While you wouldn't be covered for time off due to your arthritis, you would still be protected against every other possibility—cancer, stroke, heart attack, mental health issues, a serious accident, and more. For many, this provides invaluable peace of mind.

Case Studies: Real-Life Examples

To see how these principles apply in practice, let's look at three typical scenarios.

Example 1: Mild Osteoarthritis

• Applicant: Mark, a 52-year-old accountant with OA in his right knee. He manages it with occasional paracetamol and by maintaining a healthy weight. He walks daily without issue.
• Application: £200,000 Level Term Life Insurance to cover his mortgage.
• Likely Outcome: Standard Rates. His condition is localised, well-managed, and has a negligible impact on his life expectancy. An insurer would likely offer him the standard premium.

Example 2: Stable Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Applicant: Priya, a 41-year-old marketing manager diagnosed with RA six years ago. Her condition is stable on methotrexate. She sees her rheumatologist annually and has had no recent flare-ups or organ involvement.
• Application: £350,000 Life Insurance and £100,000 Critical Illness Cover.
• Likely Outcome:
  • Life Insurance: Accepted with a premium loading of +75%. This reflects the long-term systemic risks of RA.
  • Critical Illness Cover: Accepted with a premium loading of +100% and a Total Permanent Disability exclusion. The higher loading reflects the increased risk of cardiovascular events, and the exclusion is standard practice for a condition that can be disabling.

Example 3: Self-Employed with Ankylosing Spondylitis

• Applicant: Tom, a 34-year-old freelance electrician with Ankylosing Spondylitis. He experiences significant morning stiffness and back pain, managed with anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Application: Income Protection to cover 60% of his average earnings.
• Likely Outcome: Accepted with a full musculoskeletal exclusion. The insurer is unwilling to take on the risk of him being unable to work due to his back, but they are happy to cover him for everything else at a standard premium. For Tom, this is a vital safety net.

Solutions for Business Owners and the Self-Employed

If you run your own business or are self-employed, the financial implications of your health are even more direct. Arthritis can impact not just your personal finances, but the viability of your entire business.

For the Self-Employed and Freelancers

As highlighted in Tom's case study, Income Protection is non-negotiable. Without an employer's sick pay scheme to fall back on, you are your own safety net. Even a policy with an arthritis-related exclusion protects your income from a vast array of other potential illnesses and injuries. Working with a specialist adviser, like our team at WeCovr, is crucial to navigate the market and find the insurer offering the most favourable terms for your specific circumstances.

For Company Directors

If you are a director of your own limited company, you have access to some highly tax-efficient protection solutions.

• Executive Income Protection: This is an Income Protection policy owned and paid for by your business. The premiums are typically an allowable business expense, and it provides you with a replacement salary if you're unable to work. The underwriting process is identical to a personal policy, so a musculoskeletal exclusion is still likely, but the tax efficiency makes it a very attractive option.
• Relevant Life Cover: This is effectively a 'death-in-service' policy for directors. The business pays the premiums, which are a tax-deductible expense, but the benefit is paid out tax-free to your family or a nominated trust. The underwriting is the same as for personal life insurance, meaning a diagnosis of well-managed OA may have little impact, while RA will likely lead to a loaded premium.
• Key Person Insurance: This is a life insurance or critical illness policy that protects the business itself. It pays out a lump sum to the business if a 'key' individual—such as a director with unique skills or client relationships—dies or becomes seriously ill. The business can use the funds to recruit a replacement or manage the financial disruption. The underwriting is based on your personal health, including your arthritis.

Improving Your Chances of Getting Favourable Terms

While you can't change your diagnosis, you can take several steps to present yourself as a lower-risk applicant to insurers and potentially improve the terms you're offered.

1. Demonstrate Proactive Management: Insurers look favourably on individuals who actively manage their health. Follow your treatment plan diligently, attend all your medical appointments, and engage with your GP and specialist. A history of consistent, proactive management is a big plus.

2. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle: This is crucial for anyone, but especially for those with arthritis.

   • Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight puts significant strain on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, worsening OA. Reducing your weight can alleviate symptoms and shows insurers you are taking positive steps. At WeCovr, we believe so strongly in supporting our clients' health that we provide complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, to help you on your journey.
   • Stay Active: Gentle, low-impact exercise such as swimming, cycling, or walking strengthens the muscles that support your joints and improves overall cardiovascular health.
   • Don't Smoke: Smoking is a major inflammatory trigger and a huge red flag for insurers. Quitting is the single best thing you can do for your health and your insurance premiums.
   • Eat a Balanced Diet: An anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, oily fish, and whole grains can help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.

3. Keep Good Records: Before you apply, gather all the relevant information: the exact date of your diagnosis, the names and dosages of your medications, and the dates of your last check-ups. Having this to hand makes the application process quicker and more accurate.

4. Use an Expert Broker: This is perhaps the most important step. Do not simply go to a price comparison site or a single insurer. The market for people with pre-existing conditions is complex and varied.

   • Expert Knowledge: A specialist broker understands the different underwriting stances of each insurer. They know which provider is more likely to offer better terms for RA, and which might offer standard rates for mild OA.
   • Application Support: They will help you frame your application accurately and in the best possible light, ensuring all necessary information is provided upfront to avoid delays.
   • Market Access: An independent broker like WeCovr can access policies from across the entire market, including specialist insurers you wouldn't find on your own. This massively increases your chance of finding cover at a competitive price.

What if My Application is Declined?

A decline can be disheartening, but it's not always the end of the road.

• Find Out Why: The insurer is obliged to tell you why they declined your application. Understanding the reason is the first step to overcoming it. Was it the severity of your arthritis, or a combination of factors?
• Don't Re-apply Blindly: A decline is recorded and can be seen by other insurers. Simply applying to another insurer without changing anything might lead to the same result.
• Consult a Specialist Broker: This is where an expert truly proves their worth. If you've been declined, a broker can review your case, understand the insurer's reasoning, and approach a different, more suitable insurer on an informal basis to gauge your chances before submitting a formal application. This 'pre-underwriting' process protects you from accumulating further declines on your record.
• Consider Alternatives: If traditional life insurance or CIC is proving impossible, there may be other options, such as a Guaranteed Life Insurance plan (though these have limitations) or reviewing your need for cover.

Taking Control of Your Financial Future

Living with arthritis requires resilience, planning, and a proactive approach to your health. Securing financial protection for your family requires the very same mindset.

A diagnosis of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis is a hurdle, not a roadblock. By understanding how insurers view your specific condition, presenting a clear and honest application, and actively managing your health, obtaining the cover you need is an achievable goal.

The single most powerful step you can take is to seek independent, expert advice. A specialist broker can be your advocate, navigating the complexities of the insurance market on your behalf to find the right policy, from the right insurer, at the best possible price. This ensures your focus can remain where it belongs: on living a full and healthy life, with the peace of mind that your loved ones are protected, no matter what the future holds.