Life Insurance for People with Genetic Conditions UK

A genetic condition in your family, or a personal diagnosis, can bring a wave of uncertainty. Alongside managing your health, you might worry about your financial future and protecting your loved ones. A common question we hear is: "Can I still get life insurance if I have a genetic condition?"

The answer, in most cases, is a resounding yes.

Navigating the world of life insurance with a hereditary condition can feel complex, but it is far from impossible. The UK insurance industry has specific guidelines in place to ensure you are treated fairly. Understanding these rules and how underwriters assess risk is the first step towards securing the financial peace of mind you and your family deserve.

This comprehensive guide will demystify the process. We’ll explore how hereditary risks affect underwriting, explain your rights under the Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance, and provide actionable steps to help you find the right cover at the best possible price.

How hereditary risks affect underwriting

When you apply for life insurance, critical illness cover, or income protection, the insurer needs to understand the level of risk you present. This process is called underwriting. An underwriter's job is to build a complete picture of your health and lifestyle to calculate the likelihood of a claim being made in the future.

Your family's medical history is a crucial piece of this puzzle. Many serious conditions, such as certain cancers, heart diseases, and neurological disorders, can have a genetic component. If a close blood relative (parent, sibling, or child) was diagnosed with or passed away from one of these conditions, particularly at a young age (typically under 65), underwriters will take note.

This doesn't automatically mean you'll be penalised. Instead, underwriters use this information to assess your potential future risk. They will consider:

• The specific condition: Some genetic conditions have a much higher probability of being passed on and causing health issues than others.
• The relative's age at diagnosis/death: An early onset of a condition in a family member is a more significant risk factor.
• The number of relatives affected: A single instance is less concerning than a recurring pattern across multiple family members.
• Your own health and lifestyle: Your personal factors, such as your age, whether you smoke, your BMI, and any preventative measures you're taking, are weighed against your family history.

It's a balancing act. The underwriter is trying to determine if your family history translates into a higher personal risk for you. This is where genetic testing and the regulations surrounding it become critically important.

The Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance: Your Rights Explained

One of the biggest sources of anxiety for applicants is the role of genetic tests. Many people fear that a predictive genetic test result—one that reveals a predisposition to an illness you don't yet have—could make insurance unobtainable.

Fortunately, the UK has one of the most robust agreements in the world to protect consumers: The Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance. This is a voluntary agreement between the UK Government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) that has been in place for over two decades. It was updated and strengthened in 2018 and is set to continue.

The Code's fundamental principle is simple: Insurers cannot ask you to take a genetic test, and for the vast majority of policies, they cannot ask for or use the result of a predictive genetic test.

Let's break down what this means for you.

Predictive vs. Diagnostic Tests

The Code makes a vital distinction between two types of genetic tests:

• Predictive/Presymptomatic Test: This is a test taken when you have no symptoms. It looks for a specific gene fault to predict your future risk of developing a condition (e.g., a BRCA test for cancer risk or an APOE test for Alzheimer's risk). You DO NOT have to disclose the results of these tests for most insurance policies.
• Diagnostic Test: This is a test conducted by a doctor to confirm a diagnosis after you have already developed signs or symptoms of a condition. You MUST disclose the result of a diagnostic test, just as you would disclose any other medical diagnosis.

When Can Insurers Use Predictive Test Results?

The protection offered by the Code is comprehensive, but there is one major exception. Insurers are permitted to ask for the results of a predictive genetic test for Huntington's Disease, but only for life insurance policies with a value over £500,000.

• For life insurance policies under £500,000, you do not need to disclose a predictive test result for Huntington's.
• For other types of cover like critical illness or income protection, you never have to disclose a predictive Huntington's test result, regardless of the cover amount.

For all other genetic conditions, insurers cannot ask for or use predictive test results to assess your risk for policies up to a certain high value. As of 2025, the limits are:

• Life Insurance: £500,000
• Critical Illness Cover: £300,000
• Income Protection: £30,000 per year

If you need cover above these amounts, the insurer could theoretically ask for predictive test results, but only if the specific test has been approved for use by the government. Currently, Huntington's Disease is the only one on that approved list.

This means that for the overwhelming majority of people buying protection, your predictive genetic test results remain completely private.

What You MUST Disclose

While you are protected from disclosing predictive test results, you must be completely honest about:

1. Your Family Medical History: Insurers will ask detailed questions about the health of your parents and siblings. You must answer these truthfully.
2. A Clinical Diagnosis: If a genetic condition has been formally diagnosed by a doctor (whether through a genetic test or other clinical methods), you must disclose this.
3. Preventative Treatment or Surgery: If you have undergone procedures like a preventative mastectomy due to a BRCA gene mutation, you should disclose this. It is often viewed very positively by underwriters as it significantly reduces your future risk.

Honesty is paramount. Failing to disclose relevant information (an act known as 'non-disclosure') can lead to your policy being voided when your family needs it most.

Common Genetic Conditions and Their Impact on Life Insurance

How an insurer views your application depends heavily on the specific condition, its typical progression, and how it is being managed. Here’s a look at some common hereditary conditions and the likely underwriting outcomes.

This table illustrates a key point: a genetic condition does not have one single outcome. The result is highly personal and depends on your specific circumstances. An experienced broker can help present your case in the most favourable way.

The Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Knowing what to expect can make the application process far less intimidating. Here’s a typical journey for someone with a genetic condition in their family.

Step 1: The Initial Application

You will complete an application form, either online or with an adviser. It will ask standard questions about your age, occupation, and lifestyle (e.g., smoking and alcohol consumption). It will also contain a detailed medical section. Be prepared to answer questions about:

• Your personal medical history.
• Your parents' and siblings' medical history, including their current age (or age at death) and any major illnesses they have had.

Step 2: Full Disclosure is Crucial

This is the most important step. You must answer every question accurately and completely.

• For family history: State the condition, which relative was affected, and their age at diagnosis.
• For a personal diagnosis: State the condition, the date of diagnosis, the treatment you receive, and the name of your GP or specialist.

Remember the Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance: you do not need to mention predictive test results unless applying for over £500,000 of life insurance and have tested positive for Huntington's.

Step 3: The Insurer's Assessment

Once the insurer has your application, the underwriter gets to work. Based on your disclosures, they may require more information. This can include:

• A GP Report (GPR): The insurer may write to your GP for a full report on your medical history. They can only do this with your explicit consent, as protected by the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988. You have the right to see the report before it is sent to the insurer.
• A Specific Questionnaire: You might be sent a form with detailed questions about the specific genetic condition.
• A Nurse Screening or Medical Examination: For larger policies or more complex histories, an insurer may arrange for a nurse to visit you to take measurements like height, weight, blood pressure, and a blood or urine sample.

Step 4: The Underwriting Decision

After gathering all the necessary information, the underwriter will make a decision. There are several possible outcomes:

1. Standard Terms: Accepted at the standard price with no changes. This is the best-case scenario and is achievable for many people, especially those with a family history but good personal health.
2. Premium Loading (or 'Rating'): You are offered cover, but at a higher premium than the standard rate. This is common for conditions that present a moderate increase in risk. The increase might be a percentage (e.g., +50%, +100%) or a flat extra cost per £1,000 of cover.
3. Exclusions: You are offered cover, but the policy will not pay out for claims related to a specific condition. This is more common with Critical Illness Cover or Income Protection. For example, a policy for someone with a BRCA mutation might exclude claims for breast cancer.
4. Postponement: The insurer decides not to offer cover now but may reconsider in the future (e.g., after 6-12 months) pending further tests, stability of a condition, or a certain period of time passing.
5. Decline: The insurer determines the risk is too high to offer cover at this time. While disheartening, a decline from one insurer does not mean all insurers will say no.

This is where specialist advice is invaluable. At WeCovr, we understand the nuances of different insurers' underwriting philosophies. If one insurer declines an application, we know which other insurers might take a more favourable view.

What Types of Protection Should You Consider?

While life insurance is the primary focus, a robust financial safety net often includes other types of protection. Your genetic history can influence these, too.

• Life Insurance (Term or Whole of Life): This pays out a lump sum upon death. Term insurance covers a specific period (e.g., until your mortgage is paid off), while Whole of Life covers you indefinitely. This is often the most straightforward cover to secure, even with a genetic condition.
• Family Income Benefit: A type of life insurance that pays a regular, tax-free monthly income to your family upon your death, rather than a single lump sum. It can be a more affordable and manageable way to replace your lost income.
• Critical Illness Cover (CIC): This pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specific serious illness listed in the policy, such as some cancers, heart attack, or stroke. Underwriting for CIC is more stringent than for life insurance. If you have a genetic predisposition to a certain illness (e.g., cancer via a BRCA gene), that condition may be excluded from the policy.
• Income Protection (IP): This is arguably one of the most vital policies. It replaces a portion of your monthly income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. For those with genetic conditions that could cause periods of ill health, this provides a crucial safety net. Underwriters will look closely at any existing symptoms or the likelihood of future incapacity. Premiums may be loaded or exclusions applied.
• Gift Inter Vivos Insurance: A specialist life insurance policy designed for Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning. If you gift a large sum of money or an asset, it is only fully exempt from IHT if you survive for seven years. This policy pays out a lump sum to cover the potential IHT bill if you pass away within that seven-year window.

Solutions for Business Owners and the Self-Employed

If you run your own business or are a freelancer, the financial consequences of illness or death can be even more acute. Protection insurance is not just a personal matter; it’s a core part of business continuity planning.

• Relevant Person Cover (formerly Key Person): This protects your business financially if a key individual—whose skills, knowledge, or leadership are critical to your profits—dies or is diagnosed with a critical illness. The policy is owned and paid for by the business, and the proceeds can be used to recruit a replacement or manage losses. The underwriting for the "key person" is identical to a personal application; their genetic history will be assessed in the same way.
• Executive Income Protection: This is a policy taken out by a limited company to provide income protection for an employee or director. It's a highly tax-efficient benefit, as the premiums are typically an allowable business expense and are not treated as a P11D benefit for the employee. For directors with genetic conditions, this can be an excellent way to secure high-quality cover.
• Shareholder or Partnership Protection: This provides a lump sum to the remaining business owners to buy out a deceased or critically ill owner's share of the business. This ensures a smooth transition, prevents the family from being forced into selling the shares at a low price, and allows the remaining partners to retain control.

For business owners and the self-employed, the inability to work due to a hereditary condition can threaten not just their family's finances, but their entire livelihood. A specialist adviser can help structure a comprehensive plan that combines personal and business protection.

Proactive Steps to Improve Your Application and Your Health

Insurers love to see proactive applicants. Taking control of your health not only improves your quality of life but can also directly lead to better insurance terms and lower premiums.

1. Engage with Medical Professionals: Regularly see your GP and any relevant specialists. Following their advice and attending all recommended appointments demonstrates to an underwriter that you are actively managing your health.
2. Adhere to Screening Programmes: If you are in a screening programme due to your family history (e.g., regular mammograms for BRCA or colonoscopies for Lynch syndrome), make sure you attend. This surveillance is a powerful risk-reduction tool and is viewed very favourably. A history of normal screening results is a huge plus.
3. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle: This is your opportunity to influence the factors you can control.
   • Quit Smoking: Smokers can pay double the premiums of non-smokers. Quitting is the single most effective way to reduce your insurance costs and health risks.
   • Manage Your Diet: A balanced diet is key to maintaining a healthy weight and managing conditions like Familial Hypercholesterolaemia. At WeCovr, we go the extra mile for our clients by providing complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, helping you stay on track with your health goals.
   • Stay Active: Regular, moderate exercise has a proven positive impact on cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and overall mortality risk.
   • Moderate Alcohol Intake: Keep your alcohol consumption within recommended NHS guidelines.
4. Keep Detailed Records: When you apply, being organised can speed up the process. Have letters from your specialists, dates of check-ups, and the results of any recent tests to hand. A clear, well-documented medical history makes the underwriter's job easier.

The Role of a Specialist Insurance Broker

You can apply for insurance directly, but when a genetic condition is involved, this can be a shot in the dark. Each insurer has its own underwriting manual and a different appetite for risk. An insurer that is brilliant for someone with well-managed diabetes might be overly cautious with a family history of heart disease.

This is where a specialist broker like WeCovr becomes your greatest asset.

• Expert Market Knowledge: We work with the entire UK market, from major household names to smaller, specialist insurers. We know which underwriters are most likely to offer favourable terms for your specific genetic condition.
• Anonymous Pre-application Enquiries: Before you even submit a formal application (which leaves a digital footprint), we can speak to senior underwriters on your behalf. We present your case anonymously, with all the relevant medical details, to get an indicative decision. This allows us to "test the market" without any risk to you.
• Framing Your Application: We know what information underwriters need and how to present it. We help you gather the right details and build a comprehensive case that highlights all the positive, risk-mitigating factors.
• Fighting Your Corner: If an insurer comes back with an unfair decision, we can challenge it. We can provide additional evidence, seek second opinions, and leverage our relationships to argue for a better outcome.

Securing protection insurance with a genetic condition isn't about finding any policy; it's about finding the right policy, with the right terms, at a fair price. Expert guidance is the key to achieving that.

In Conclusion

A genetic condition in your family tree is a part of your story, but it does not have to define your financial future. The UK's robust regulatory framework ensures you are treated fairly, and your predictive genetic information is protected.

By understanding the underwriting process, being diligent with your health, and partnering with a specialist adviser, you can navigate the application process with confidence. Life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection are all within reach, providing the security needed to ensure your loved ones are protected, no matter what the future holds.