Life Insurance for People with Epilepsy UK

Living with epilepsy brings its own unique set of challenges, and navigating the world of financial protection can often feel like another hurdle. If you have epilepsy, you might worry whether you can get life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection. You might ask yourself: "Will I be accepted? Will my premiums be sky-high? What do I even need to tell them?"

These are all valid concerns. But here is the good news: having epilepsy does not automatically disqualify you from getting the vital financial protection you and your family need.

Welcome to your definitive guide on securing life insurance and other protection policies with epilepsy in the UK. As specialists in the UK protection market, we understand the nuances that insurers consider. This article will demystify the application process, explain exactly how your medical history influences an insurer's decision, and provide actionable steps to help you find the right cover at the best possible price.

The single most important factor for insurers is your seizure history. Let's dive into exactly what that means.

How Seizure History Affects Premiums and Cover

When you apply for life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection, the insurer's primary job is to assess risk. For an applicant with epilepsy, their focus will be almost entirely on the nature, frequency, and management of your seizures. This is because seizure activity can, in some circumstances, increase the statistical risk of mortality (for life insurance) or morbidity (the risk of illness or disability, for critical illness and income protection).

Insurers don't have a single, one-size-fits-all rule for epilepsy. Instead, they will ask a series of detailed questions to build a clear picture of your specific situation. Here’s what they are looking for and why it matters:

1. Type of Seizure

Not all seizures are the same, and insurers know this. They will want to know the specific type you experience.

• Tonic-Clonic (formerly Grand Mal): These seizures involve a loss of consciousness, muscle stiffening, and convulsions. Due to the physical intensity and associated risks (like injury or, very rarely, Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy - SUDEP), insurers view these as higher risk than other types.
• Absence Seizures (formerly Petit Mal): These involve brief lapses in awareness. As they don't typically involve convulsions or loss of posture, they are generally considered lower risk, especially if well-controlled.
• Focal Seizures (formerly Partial Seizures): These originate in one area of the brain. The risk assessment will depend on whether your awareness is affected and if the seizure can evolve into a tonic-clonic seizure.

2. Date of Your Last Seizure

This is perhaps the most critical question you will be asked. The length of time you have been seizure-free is a powerful indicator of how well-controlled your condition is.

• Long-term Seizure-Free (e.g., 5+ years): If you've been seizure-free for several years, with or without medication, you have a much stronger chance of securing cover at standard or near-standard rates.
• Recently Seizure-Free (e.g., 1-4 years): You can still expect to get cover, but the insurer may apply a "premium loading" – an increase on the standard premium price. The size of this loading will decrease the longer you have been seizure-free.
• Recent Seizures (within the last 12 months): This presents a higher risk to insurers. For life insurance, you may still get cover but with a significant premium loading. For critical illness and income protection, your application may be postponed or have specific exclusions applied.

3. Frequency of Seizures

If you are still having seizures, their frequency is a key underwriting factor. Someone having one or two seizures a year will be viewed very differently from someone having them weekly or daily. Infrequent, predictable seizures are a much lower risk.

4. Medication and Treatment

Insurers want to see stability. They will ask:

• What medication are you taking?
• Has your medication changed recently?
• Do you comply with your treatment plan and attend regular reviews with your GP or neurologist?

A consistent, long-term treatment plan with no recent changes is a very positive sign. It tells the insurer your condition is stable and well-managed. Conversely, recent medication changes can lead to an application being postponed for 6-12 months to allow for a period of stability.

The table below gives a simplified overview of potential underwriting outcomes based on your seizure history. Please note this is a guide, and the final decision always rests with the individual insurer.

What Information Will Insurers Ask For?

Being prepared for the application process can make it smoother and less stressful. When you apply for cover, you (or your broker) will need to complete a health questionnaire. Honesty and accuracy here are non-negotiable.

Expect to be asked the following questions about your epilepsy:

• When were you first diagnosed with epilepsy?
• What type of seizures have you been diagnosed with (e.g., tonic-clonic, absence, focal)?
• What was the exact date of your last seizure?
• In the last 5 years, how many seizures have you had?
• Are your seizures triggered by anything specific (e.g., lack of sleep, alcohol, stress, photosensitivity)?
• What medication(s) do you currently take, including the dosage?
• Have there been any changes to your medication in the last 1-2 years?
• Have you ever been hospitalised as a result of a seizure?
• Do you attend regular reviews with a specialist or neurologist?
• Do you hold a valid UK driving licence? If so, have you had any restrictions placed on it?

The Importance of Full Disclosure

It can be tempting to downplay your symptoms or omit details to get a better price. Do not do this. Non-disclosure is a form of insurance fraud. If you fail to declare your epilepsy and later need to make a claim, the insurer has the right to investigate your medical history. If they find you withheld crucial information, they can void the policy entirely, meaning your family would receive nothing. It's always better to be upfront and find an insurer who will accept you on fair terms.

Types of Insurance Available for People with Epilepsy

Understanding the different types of cover can help you decide what's right for your needs. The underwriting decision for each will be heavily influenced by your epilepsy history.

1. Life Insurance

Life insurance pays out a tax-free lump sum if you pass away during the policy term. This can be used by your loved ones to pay off a mortgage, cover funeral costs, or simply replace your lost income.

• For people with well-controlled epilepsy (seizure-free for 2+ years): You should be able to get standard life insurance (Level Term or Decreasing Term). You may face a small premium loading, but a specialist broker like WeCovr can help find insurers who offer the most favourable terms.
• For people with more recent or frequent seizures: Cover is often still possible, but the premium loading will be higher. In very severe, uncontrolled cases, an application might be declined by standard insurers, but specialist options may still exist.
• Gift Inter Vivos: This is a specific type of life insurance used for inheritance tax planning. If you gift a large sum of money or an asset, it may be subject to inheritance tax if you pass away within seven years. This policy pays out a lump sum to cover that potential tax bill. The underwriting for your epilepsy would be the same as for standard life insurance.

2. Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

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

This is often more difficult to secure than life insurance for someone with epilepsy. The main reason is not the risk of claiming for epilepsy itself (which is rarely a defined condition unless it causes permanent neurological damage), but the perceived increased risk of other neurological events or accidents.

• Potential Outcome 1: Accepted with an Exclusion. This is a common outcome. The insurer provides cover but excludes any claim directly or indirectly related to epilepsy or seizures. For many, this is a good compromise, as it still provides comprehensive cover for dozens of other conditions like cancer and heart disease.
• Potential Outcome 2: Accepted with a Premium Loading. For very well-controlled cases (e.g., seizure-free for 10+ years with a childhood diagnosis), you may be offered cover with an increased premium but no exclusion.
• Potential Outcome 3: Declined. If seizures are recent, frequent, or poorly controlled, it is likely your application for CIC will be declined or postponed.

3. Income Protection (IP)

Income Protection is designed to replace a percentage of your monthly income (typically 50-60%) if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. For anyone who is self-employed or doesn't have a generous employer sick pay scheme, it is arguably the most important policy you can own.

Unfortunately, it is also the most challenging type of cover to get with epilepsy. The risk of being unable to work, even temporarily, after a seizure is significantly higher.

• Exclusions are very common. Most insurers, if they offer cover, will apply an exclusion for any claim related to epilepsy. This means if you can't work due to a seizure or recovery from one, the policy won't pay out. However, it would still cover you for any other illness or injury, from a bad back to a mental health condition.
• Deferment Periods may be longer. The deferment period is the time you have to be off work before the policy starts paying. An insurer might insist on a longer period (e.g., 6 months instead of 3) for someone with epilepsy.
• Declines are frequent. For anyone with tonic-clonic seizures within the last 5 years, or any type of seizure within the last 2 years, getting income protection can be very difficult.

Despite the challenges, speaking to an expert is key. At WeCovr, we have access to the whole market, including specialist providers who are more willing to consider applications from people with complex health conditions.

Navigating the Application Process: Tips for Success

You can significantly improve your chances of getting the cover you need by approaching the application process strategically.

1. Gather Your Medical Information: Before you even start, get your facts straight. Know your diagnosis date, last seizure date, medication names and dosages, and your neurologist's contact details. Having this to hand makes the process much faster.
2. Demonstrate Good Management: Insurers love to see proactive health management. If you can show that you take your medication consistently, attend all your medical appointments, and follow your doctor's lifestyle advice (e.g., regarding sleep and alcohol), it builds a picture of a responsible individual whose condition is under control.
3. Work With a Specialist Broker: This is the single most effective tip. A specialist broker doesn't just put your application into a computer. They:
   • Understand the Market: They know which insurers are more lenient towards epilepsy and who to avoid.
   • Frame Your Application: They can present your case in the most positive light, highlighting the well-managed aspects of your condition.
   • Offer Pre-underwriting Enquiries: They can speak to underwriters anonymously on your behalf to gauge the likely outcome before you make a formal application, protecting you from unnecessary declines on your record.
4. Consider Your Overall Wellness: Insurers look at your health as a whole. Maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and keeping your alcohol intake within recommended limits will always help your application. As part of our commitment to our clients' wellbeing, we at WeCovr provide complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracker, CalorieHero, to help you stay on top of your health goals.

Epilepsy and Specific Professions: Cover for Directors, Self-Employed & Tradespeople

Your profession can add another layer to the underwriting process, especially if it involves driving, operating machinery, or working at heights.

For the Self-Employed and Freelancers

If you're self-employed, there's no safety net. You have no employer sick pay to fall back on. This makes Income Protection absolutely essential. As discussed, getting IP with epilepsy can be tough, but it's not impossible. It may mean accepting a policy with an epilepsy exclusion. While not perfect, this is infinitely better than having no cover at all. It protects your income against every other possible illness or injury that could stop you from earning a living.

For Company Directors

Company directors have access to tax-efficient business protection policies, but the underwriting still hinges on their personal health.

• Relevant Life Insurance: This is a director's 'death-in-service' benefit, paid for by the business as an allowable expense. The application process is identical to a personal one. If you have well-controlled epilepsy, you can likely secure this valuable, tax-efficient cover for your family.
• Key Person Insurance: This policy protects the business itself from the financial fallout if a key director or employee dies or suffers a critical illness. The underwriting will focus on the health of the 'key person'. If that person has epilepsy, the insurer will assess them just as they would for a personal policy, potentially leading to increased premiums or exclusions on the CIC element.
• Executive Income Protection: This is an income protection policy owned and paid for by the business for an employee or director. It's a highly valued benefit, but underwriting is strict. A director with a history of recent seizures may struggle to get this cover without an epilepsy-related exclusion.

For Tradespeople, Nurses and other High-Risk Jobs

If your job involves physical risk – for example, an electrician working at height, a nurse on a busy ward, or a lorry driver – insurers will be extra cautious. A seizure in one of these environments could have severe consequences. This can lead to:

• Stricter Underwriting: Insurers may be less willing to offer terms.
• Occupational Exclusions: A policy might exclude claims arising from an accident at work.
• Higher Premiums: The combined risk of the medical condition and the occupation may result in a higher premium.

Again, transparency is key. You must be honest about both your health and your job duties.

Improving Your Chances: Wellness, Lifestyle, and Managing Epilepsy

A healthy lifestyle not only helps in managing epilepsy but also strengthens your insurance application.

• Sleep: Prioritising a regular sleep schedule is vital. Sleep deprivation is one of the most common seizure triggers. Insurers will look favourably on an applicant who can demonstrate they manage this aspect of their life well.
• Diet and Nutrition: While the specific impact of diet varies, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet contributes to overall wellbeing, which is a positive factor for insurers. For some, particularly children, a medically supervised ketogenic diet can have a significant impact on seizure control.
• Alcohol: Alcohol can lower the seizure threshold, and insurers will always ask about your consumption. Being honest is crucial, and keeping intake to a minimum is advisable for both your health and your application.
• Stress Management: Stress is another known trigger. Incorporating activities like exercise, mindfulness, or hobbies that help you manage stress can be beneficial for your health and demonstrates a proactive approach to your condition.

What if My Application is Postponed or Declined?

Receiving a postponement or a decline can be disheartening, but it doesn't have to be the final word.

If you are postponed: This is actually a positive signal. The insurer isn't saying "no," they're saying "not right now." It usually means they want to see a period of stability—for example, 12 months after a change in medication or following your last seizure. Use this time to focus on your health, keep a good record, and then re-apply with the help of a broker.

If you are declined:

1. Don't Panic: One insurer's "no" can be another's "yes, with conditions." Insurers have different underwriting philosophies (known as their 'appetite for risk').
2. Understand Why: Ask for the reason for the decline. This information is valuable for future applications.
3. Speak to an Expert: This is where a specialist broker truly proves their worth. We know the market inside-out and can take your case directly to underwriters at more specialist or accommodating insurers who may be willing to offer cover where mainstream providers will not.

There may also be alternative types of cover, such as an 'Accident, Sickness & Unemployment' policy (though these often have more limitations than full income protection) or simplified guaranteed-acceptance life insurance, which asks fewer or no medical questions but has lower cover limits and higher premiums.

Real-Life Scenarios

Let's look at how these principles apply in practice.

Case Study 1: Sarah, the Graphic Designer

• Situation: 35-year-old self-employed graphic designer. Diagnosed with childhood absence epilepsy but has been seizure-free without medication since she was 16 (19 years).
• Goal: Life insurance to cover her mortgage and income protection.
• Likely Outcome: For life insurance, Sarah would almost certainly be offered cover at standard rates with no premium loading. For Income Protection, given the long seizure-free period and the nature of her original diagnosis, she has a very strong chance of getting standard cover, potentially with no exclusions.

Case Study 2: David, the Electrician

• Situation: 42-year-old electrician. Diagnosed with tonic-clonic epilepsy 3 years ago after a single seizure. He has been seizure-free on medication for 2.5 years.
• Goal: A new life and critical illness policy to protect his young family.
• Likely Outcome: For life insurance, David would likely be accepted but with a moderate premium loading (perhaps +75% to +100%) due to the tonic-clonic diagnosis and relatively recent seizure-free period. For Critical Illness Cover, he would likely be offered a policy with an exclusion for epilepsy and neurological conditions. This still provides valuable cover for cancer, heart attack, stroke and other conditions.

Case Study 3: Fatima, the Company Director

• Situation: 50-year-old managing director. Has focal seizures with impaired awareness every 4-6 months, despite trying several medications.
• Goal: Key Person insurance for her business and personal income protection.
• Likely Outcome: This is a challenging case. Personal Income Protection would almost certainly be declined due to the frequency of seizures. Key Person insurance that includes critical illness cover would face similar issues or a definite neurological exclusion. However, a life-insurance-only Key Person policy might be possible, albeit with a very high premium loading (e.g., +200% or more). Working with a specialist broker to negotiate directly with an underwriter would be her only realistic path to getting any form of cover.

Taking the Next Step

Living with epilepsy requires management, awareness, and planning. Arranging your financial protection should be no different. While the path to securing cover can seem complex, it is far from impossible.

The key takeaways are clear: your specific seizure history is what matters most, complete honesty during the application is vital, and demonstrating stable management of your condition will always work in your favour.

Most importantly, you do not have to navigate this journey alone. Using a specialist protection adviser, like the team here at WeCovr, transforms the process. We can save you time, stress, and money by taking your unique circumstances to the right insurers and fighting your corner to secure the best possible terms.

Protecting your family's future or your business's stability is too important to leave to chance. Take the first step today towards peace of mind.