Epilepsy and life insurance

Yes, it is possible to get life insurance if you have epilepsy.

If you’re ever unsure about any of the requirements of your life insurance policy, you should consider speaking to an independent financial adviser.

The policies you are offered will depend on the type of epilepsy you have, how severe it is, and your medical history.

Types of epilepsy

Epilepsy can involve more than seizures. For example, it may be associated with additional complex cognitive, developmental, psychological, and psychosocial conditions.

Seizures are classified depending on where they arise in the brain, their impact on level of alertness and other symptoms such as muscle movement. There are many seizure types which are explained by the epilepsy society.

The NHS website provides further helpful guidance on epilepsy ^{Footnote [1]}.

Severity and frequency of seizures:

Your insurer will also want to know how often you have seizures and how bad they are when you have them.

If your epilepsy is well-controlled and you have few seizures, with no loss of awareness, your premiums may be lower than if you have frequent or severe seizures. If your condition is currently unstable or if you have had recent seizures, the insurer may postpone their decision and wait until your condition is better controlled.

Medical history and treatment

Any past hospitalisations you’ve had due to epilepsy can affect the life insurance you will be offered. If you have any other health conditions, these will also be considered. For this reason, your insurer might ask to access your medical records or request an examination. In rare cases, your application may be declined. This usually only happens if you have particularly severe or uncontrolled epilepsy.

Yes, epilepsy is considered to be a pre-existing medical condition by insurers.

When you apply for life insurance, you’ll be asked to provide detailed information about your epilepsy diagnosis, including:

• The type of seizures you have.
• How often you have seizures.
• How severe your seizures are.
• Any other diagnosed medical conditions.

Insurers will consider the type of epilepsy you have and how it affects your daily life. You can read more about pre-existing medical conditions and life insurance here.

Yes, you need to tell your insurance company about your epilepsy as soon as possible. It’s really important to be honest and supply everything that your insurer needs to know. If you don’t, you may not be able to get life insurance and any claims you make could be denied.

This is because insurers use information about your health, including your epilepsy, to calculate the risk they are taking and to work out how much you need to pay them.

Knowingly hiding the truth about your epilepsy could be considered fraud, and insurers could take legal action against you. Being upfront and honest about your epilepsy not only ensures your policy is valid, but also ensures your loved ones will get the financial support you’ve planned.

Securing life insurance with epilepsy may seem challenging, but it is possible with the right approach. Here are some useful tips:

• Shop around for the best deal and compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best prices and terms that suit your needs.
• Provide complete and accurate information about your epilepsy and medical information to avoid problems with claiming in the future.
• Choose an experienced insurer who often works with people who have epilepsy, as they can offer more tailored cover options.
• If you’re over 50, you could consider an over 50s life insurance plan. These plans often don’t require medical information, though the cover amounts are typically lower. For example, we offer Over 50 Life Insurance which has no medical checks or questions and provides lifelong protection. If you die within the first 12 months, and it isn’t an accidental death, we won’t pay out the cover amount, but we’ll pay a sum that’s equal to the premiums that have already been paid. There is no cash-in value at any time with our Over 50s Life Insurance.