Life Insurance for People with Asthma UK

Living with a long-term health condition like asthma often brings a unique set of considerations, and planning for your financial future is certainly one of them. If you have asthma, you might be wondering if you can get life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection. You may even worry that it will be prohibitively expensive or that you’ll be declined outright.

The good news is that for the vast majority of people with asthma in the UK, securing comprehensive and affordable protection is entirely achievable. Insurers have become increasingly sophisticated in their understanding of respiratory conditions, and having asthma is by no means a barrier to getting the cover you and your family need.

This definitive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about applying for life insurance and other protection products with asthma. We'll explore how insurers assess your condition, the types of cover available, and the practical steps you can take to secure the best possible terms.

Exploring Cover for Respiratory Conditions

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions in the United Kingdom. According to Asthma + Lung UK, around 5.4 million people in the UK currently receive treatment for asthma. That's a staggering 1 in every 12 adults. Given its prevalence, UK insurers are very familiar with assessing applications from people with asthma.

When you apply for cover, an insurer's primary goal is to understand the level of risk you present. For a respiratory condition, this means they'll want to know:

• The severity of your condition: Is it mild and intermittent, or severe and persistent?
• The level of control: Are your symptoms well-managed with treatment?
• The impact on your lifestyle: Does it limit your daily activities or require time off work?
• Your overall health: Are there other related conditions or lifestyle factors, such as smoking?

Insurers don’t apply a blanket approach. Each application is assessed individually, a process known as underwriting. This is why two people with an asthma diagnosis can receive very different offers. The key is providing a clear and accurate picture of your health, allowing the insurer to make a fair and informed decision.

How Do Insurers View Asthma?

To an underwriter, not all asthma is the same. They will categorise the condition based on the information you provide in your application, and potentially from your doctor's records. Understanding these categories can help you anticipate the likely outcome of your application.

Generally, asthma is viewed in three tiers:

1. Mild Asthma: This is the most common form. You might use a reliever inhaler (the blue one) occasionally when you have symptoms, and possibly a regular preventer inhaler (e.g., the brown, purple, or red one) at a low dose. You haven't needed emergency treatment or oral steroids in recent years, and your daily life is unaffected.

2. Moderate Asthma: You may use your reliever inhaler more frequently and are likely on a combination of preventer inhalers. You might have had flare-ups requiring a course of steroid tablets in the past, or perhaps visited A&E, but without needing hospital admission. Your asthma might be triggered by exercise or seasonal allergies but is generally well-managed.

3. Severe Asthma: This affects a smaller percentage of people. You may be under the care of a specialist, require high-dose inhalers or other treatments like biologics, and have a history of repeated courses of oral steroids or hospitalisations. Your breathing may be impacted more consistently.

The table below gives a clearer idea of how an insurer might classify your condition and the potential impact on your application.

The Key Questions Insurers Will Ask

During your application, you'll be asked a series of specific questions about your asthma. Honesty and accuracy here are paramount. Hiding or misrepresenting your condition can lead to a future claim being denied.

Be prepared to answer:

• When were you diagnosed with asthma?
• How often do you experience symptoms (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly)?
• What medication do you take? (Be specific about names, dosages, and types—reliever, preventer, tablets, etc.)
• Have you ever been prescribed oral steroids (e.g., Prednisolone) for your asthma? If so, when and how many courses in the last 5 years?
• Have you ever been hospitalised or attended A&E because of an asthma attack? If so, when?
• Have you had to take any time off work due to asthma in the last few years?
• Do you smoke or use any nicotine products? (This is a critical question.)
• Have you ever been referred to a respiratory specialist?
• Do you have any other related conditions, such as eczema, hay fever, or nasal polyps?

Your answers to these questions create the medical snapshot the underwriter will use to assess your application.

The Impact of Asthma on Different Types of Insurance

Your asthma diagnosis will be considered differently depending on the type of protection you're applying for. Let's break down the main products.

Life Insurance

Life Insurance pays out a lump sum or regular income to your loved ones if you pass away during the policy term.

• For mild, well-controlled asthma: You have an excellent chance of securing life insurance at standard rates. This means you pay the same price as an applicant with no health conditions.
• For moderate asthma: It's common for insurers to apply a "loading" to your premium. This is a percentage increase on the standard price. For example, a +50% loading means if the standard monthly premium is £20, you would pay £30.
• For severe asthma: A more significant loading is likely. In some cases, a mainstream insurer might decline an application. However, this is where a specialist broker becomes invaluable, as we know which insurers take a more favourable view of complex cases.

Product Spotlight: Family Income Benefit

If a loading makes a traditional lump-sum policy feel expensive, consider Family Income Benefit. Instead of a single large payout, this policy pays your family a regular, tax-free monthly or annual income for the remainder of the policy term. It can be a more budget-friendly way to ensure your family's living costs are covered, and often more affordable for applicants with medical conditions.

Critical Illness Cover

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

Underwriting for CIC is often stricter than for life insurance. Insurers are assessing the risk of you making a claim while you're alive.

• For mild asthma: You may well be offered standard terms.
• For moderate to severe asthma: The outcome is more varied. An insurer might:
  • Apply a premium loading: Similar to life insurance, but often a higher percentage.
  • Apply an exclusion: This is a common outcome. The insurer might offer you the policy but exclude claims related to respiratory failure or other specific lung conditions. This can still be a valuable policy, as you remain covered for dozens of other illnesses like cancer and heart attacks.
  • Decline the application: This is more likely with severe, unstable asthma, especially if combined with smoking.

Income Protection

Income Protection (IP) is designed to replace a portion of your monthly earnings if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. It's arguably one of the most important policies for anyone who relies on their income, particularly the self-employed.

For IP, underwriters are focused on one key question: how likely is your asthma to stop you from working?

• History of time off work is crucial: If you have taken significant or repeated time off due to your asthma, insurers will see this as a higher risk.
• Potential outcomes:
  • Standard terms: Possible for very mild, well-controlled cases with no work absence.
  • Premium loading: A common result for moderate asthma.
  • Exclusion: The insurer might offer cover but exclude any claims related to asthma or respiratory conditions.
  • Longer deferred period: Insurers may be unwilling to offer short deferred periods (e.g., 4 weeks) but may be happy to offer cover that kicks in after 13 or 26 weeks.

Product Spotlight: Personal Sick Pay

For those in riskier jobs, like tradespeople or healthcare workers who might be exposed to dust, fumes, or other triggers, a standard IP policy might be harder to secure. Personal Sick Pay insurance is a type of short-term IP, often with 1 or 2-year claim periods, that can be easier to obtain and provide a crucial safety net.

The Crucial Role of a Specialist Broker

If you have asthma—or any pre-existing medical condition—going directly to an insurer can be a lottery. You might happen to pick the one insurer that is most cautious about respiratory conditions and receive a high quote or a decline, leaving you disheartened.

This is where a specialist advisory broker like WeCovr makes all the difference.

1. Expert Knowledge: We work with the whole of the UK insurance market every single day. We know the underwriting philosophies of each provider—who is more lenient on asthma, who has recently updated their criteria, and who is best for combined conditions like asthma and smoking.

2. Framing Your Application: We help you gather the right information and present your case in the clearest possible light. We can speak to underwriters on an anonymous basis before you even apply to gauge the likely terms, saving you time and avoiding declines on your record.

3. Access to the Whole Market: We compare quotes and terms from all the major UK insurers, as well as smaller, specialist providers you may not have heard of. This ensures you are seeing the very best terms available for your specific circumstances.

Trying to navigate this complex market alone can be daunting. With an expert in your corner, the process becomes simpler, clearer, and ultimately more successful.

Managing Your Asthma to Improve Your Premiums

Beyond getting expert advice, one of the most powerful things you can do to secure better insurance terms is to actively manage your health. When an insurer sees evidence of good control and positive lifestyle choices, they view you as a lower risk.

Here are some tangible steps that can improve both your health and your insurance prospects:

1. Medication Adherence

Taking your preventer medication exactly as prescribed is the cornerstone of good asthma management. It reduces inflammation in your airways and makes severe attacks far less likely. A GP report showing consistent prescription collection and adherence is a huge positive for an underwriter.

2. Regular Reviews

Attend your annual asthma review with your GP or asthma nurse. This demonstrates proactive management of your condition. These reviews are a chance to optimise your treatment, check your inhaler technique, and create a written asthma action plan—all of which are positive indicators for an insurer.

3. Know and Avoid Your Triggers

Whether your triggers are pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or air pollution, taking steps to minimise exposure can significantly reduce your symptoms. This might involve:

• Using air purifiers at home.
• Investing in allergen-proof bedding.
• Checking pollen and pollution forecasts before spending time outdoors.

4. The Power of Exercise

While exercise can be a trigger for some, regular, appropriate physical activity is proven to improve lung capacity and overall cardiovascular health. Activities like swimming, yoga, and walking are often recommended for people with asthma. Always use your reliever inhaler before exercise if advised by your doctor. A fit, active lifestyle is a major plus point on any insurance application.

5. Diet and Nutrition

While no diet can cure asthma, certain foods can help manage inflammation. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids (found in oily fish) can support your respiratory health. Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial, as obesity can worsen asthma symptoms.

At WeCovr, we believe in supporting our clients' long-term wellbeing. That's why our customers receive complimentary access to CalorieHero, our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app. It's a simple, effective tool to help you manage your diet and work towards your health goals, showing our commitment extends beyond just the policy.

6. Quit Smoking—The Single Biggest Factor

If you have asthma and you smoke, quitting is the single most impactful change you can make for your health and your insurance premiums. Smoking is a major irritant that dramatically increases the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

From an insurance perspective, applicants who smoke and have asthma are considered very high risk. Premiums can be two to three times higher than for a non-smoker with the same level of asthma. Most insurers will only classify you as a non-smoker after you have been completely nicotine-free (including vapes and patches) for at least 12 months. Quitting is a win-win: your health will improve, and your insurance will become significantly more affordable.

Case Studies: Real-Life Scenarios

Let's look at how these factors play out in practice. These fictional case studies are based on real-world outcomes we see regularly.

Case Study 1: Mark, the Self-Employed Plumber

• Client: Mark, 42, a self-employed plumber.
• Condition: Moderate asthma, diagnosed in his 20s. He uses a Fostair inhaler daily and a Salbutamol inhaler about twice a week, more often when working on dusty sites. He had one course of oral steroids two years ago after a chest infection. He's a non-smoker and is fit and active.
• Goal: Income Protection to cover his earnings if he can't work.
• The Process: Mark initially applied to his bank's insurer and was offered a policy with a total exclusion for any respiratory condition. He felt this defeated the purpose, as a severe chest infection could easily put him out of work. He then came to WeCovr. We identified an insurer known for its fair assessment of tradespeople. We highlighted his excellent work attendance record and non-smoking status.
• Outcome: We secured Mark a full Income Protection policy with no exclusions. The insurer applied a 50% premium loading due to his occupation and steroid use within the last two years, which Mark was happy to accept for comprehensive cover.

Case Study 2: Chloe, the Company Director

• Client: Chloe, 50, director of a successful marketing agency.
• Condition: Severe and persistent asthma. She has been hospitalised once (four years ago) and requires two or three courses of oral steroids most years. She is under a specialist and is a smoker (5-10 cigarettes a day).
• Goal: A £500,000 Key Person life insurance policy to protect her business if she passed away.
• The Process: Chloe's business partner had tried to arrange this cover directly and was declined. The combination of severe asthma and smoking was deemed too high a risk. At WeCovr, we knew this would be a challenge. We collated detailed information from Chloe's specialist confirming her condition was now stable on her current treatment plan. We approached a niche, specialist insurer that deals with high-risk cases.
• Outcome: The specialist insurer offered cover, but with a 150% premium loading. While expensive, the board agreed this was a vital business expense. We also worked with Chloe to create a plan to quit smoking, with the agreement from the insurer that they would review the premium loading 12 months after she became nicotine-free.

Specialised Insurance for Business Owners & Directors

If you run your own business, your health directly impacts the company's stability and your own financial security. Asthma, especially if it's moderate or severe, makes business protection insurance not just a good idea, but essential.

• Key Person Insurance: As seen with Chloe, this protects the business from financial loss if a key individual dies or is diagnosed with a critical illness. The payout can be used to recruit a replacement, clear debt, or reassure investors. An asthmatic condition will be underwritten, but cover is often very possible.

• Executive Income Protection: This is a policy paid for by your limited company to provide an income to a director if they are unable to work. It's highly tax-efficient, as the premiums are usually an allowable business expense and benefits are paid to the company to then distribute as salary. For someone with asthma who might face a high premium on a personal policy, an executive plan can be a more affordable and efficient solution.

• Relevant Life Cover: This is a tax-efficient 'death-in-service' benefit for small companies. The company pays the premiums, but the payout goes directly to the employee's family, free from inheritance tax. It's a fantastic employee benefit and is often available at standard rates for individuals with mild, well-controlled asthma.

The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for insurance with a medical condition doesn't have to be intimidating. Here's what the journey looks like with a specialist broker:

1. Initial Consultation: The first step is a no-obligation chat with an advisor. You'll discuss your needs, your budget, and the details of your health.
2. Fact-Finding: We'll ask you the key questions about your asthma that we listed earlier. This gives us the information needed to start our research.
3. Market Research: This is where we do the hard work. We'll assess the entire market, identify the most suitable insurers, and potentially hold pre-underwriting discussions to find out the likely terms without leaving a footprint on your record.
4. Recommendation & Application: We'll present you with the best options and our recommendation. Once you're happy, we'll help you complete the application form accurately.
5. The Underwriting Phase: The insurer will now assess your application. They may be happy to offer terms based on the form alone. However, they might also request:
   • A GP Report (GPR): They will write to your GP (with your permission) to get a full report on your medical history. This is very common for moderate or severe asthma.
   • A Nurse Screening: An insurer may arrange for a nurse to visit you at home to take basic measurements like height, weight, blood pressure, and a breathing test (spirometry). This is free of charge.
6. Receiving Your Terms: Once underwriting is complete, the insurer will issue their decision. This will be either standard rates, a loading, an exclusion, or in rare cases, a postponement or decline.
7. Policy Live: We'll review the final terms with you. If you're happy to proceed, the policy is set up and your cover begins from the very first payment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Taking the Next Step

Living with asthma requires careful management, and planning your financial protection is a vital part of that. While the process may seem complex, the key takeaways are simple: your asthma is not a barrier, the severity and control of your condition are what matter, and honesty is always the best policy.

Most importantly, you don't have to navigate this journey alone. By working with a specialist advisor who understands the nuances of the insurance market, you can be confident that you are getting the right cover, from the right insurer, at the best possible price.

Protecting your family's future or your business's stability is one of the most important financial decisions you can make. Let us help you get it right.