Kidney transplant life insurance
There are lots of reasons why you might need to give or receive a kidney transplant in your lifetime. Kidney transplant life insurance is designed to protect your family financially before, during and after events like this.
The number of people receiving a kidney transplant in the UK is relatively high compared to other European countries. The current ratio of kidney transplants is 54.5 for every one million of the population in 2019.
According to official figures, the numbers of organ transplants in the UK are:
| Period | Number of organ transplants |
| 2020/2021 | 2,947 |
| 2019/2020 | 3,760 |
| 2018/2019 | 3,952 |
| 2017/2018 | 4,038 |
Our team of highly skilled insurance experts has years of expertise in helping to protect families of transplant patients.
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Here are some of the answers to some of the most common questions that we get asked about kidney transplant life insurance.
Will life insurance payout for kidney transplants?
Yes – if you die because of a kidney transplant, before, during, or after then your family should receive their claim from your insurer.
There are several risks related to any organ transplant and therefore you should have the right cover in place, especially for anyone with children or dependents. A proper life insurance policy can give you peace of mind that your family is financially secure.
There are several main reasons why you might want to consider life insurance, such as:
- Protect your mortgage (home)
- Payment of school fees
- Tax planning
- Pay costs of living
If you die from a kidney transplant or another reason then your family should receive a tax-free lump sum to use however they need to.
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Does critical illness cover kidney transplants?
Yes – critical illness cover is an extremely valuable and useful policy for someone receiving a kidney transplant or most other organ transplants.
Most of these types of policies will pay out a tax-free lump sum for kidney transplants to help you through this period financially. You can use a critical illness cover policy to provide you with some financial support through the recovery period and beyond.
Critical illness cover can be used for:
- Mortgage or rent payments
- Clear outstanding debts
- School fees
- Costs of living
Most people who undergo kidney transplant surgery will be unable to work for a long period of time after the procedure, or potentially will have to change their occupation.
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Will income protection payout for kidney transplants?
Yes – if you need to have a kidney transplant then you should be able to claim on your income protection policy, usually after 4 weeks. Most income protection policies will payout for 12 months or 24 months after surgery, or when you are fit to return to work.
This type of policy is specifically designed to replace your (Net) income through periods where you are unable to work. Being unable to work means that you have been signed off by a doctor due to sickness, illness, or injury.
Income protection is a very flexible product and can be tailored to suit your requirements and to fit your budget.
About life insurance after a kidney transplant
Here is some information and the answers to some of your questions about how life insurance works after a kidney transplant.
There are 2 things to consider for a kidney transplant which is those receiving the organ and people who donate the organ.
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Can I get life insurance after a kidney transplant?
Yes – we are often asked by people who donate and receive organs whether they can get life cover after this type of procedure.
Many people who receive a kidney transplant are confused about whether they can get life insurance and what to do. It’s something that we have many years of experience in helping people with and certainly, there are a number of options available to you.
The first point is that for people who have donated a kidney, life insurance should be available without any major issues. You should have been very closely monitored to become a kidney donor and therefore it is generally considered to be low-risk.
If you have received a kidney transplant then insurers will want to know more about the procedure, reasons for the transplant, and whether you have recovered well.
In most cases, you should be able to get cover almost instantly after the procedure which is specifically designed to provide an element of protection. The next stage will be 12 months or more after the transplant which should then give you more options for cover.
How much is life insurance after a kidney transplant?
Premiums and cost of cover can vary for many reasons and it’s important to make sure that you get advice from a specialist or expert.
All insurers will have a very different policy and attitude towards organ transplants so you will need to find the best provider for your situation. A specialist insurance advisor will know which insurers are best which will save you time and money.
Will I need a medical for kidney transplant life insurance?
In most cases, if you’ve had a kidney transplant then you will probably need to provide some medical evidence.
This is a completely normal process for someone applying for life insurance with a history of medical issues. A kidney transplant is classed as a major event and therefore should be fully investigated to get the best outcome.
The GP report will be applied for by your insurer and paid for by them as well so there should be no problems for you.
Common causes for kidney transplants
There are several medical and health reasons for someone needing to receive a kidney transplant, including:
- Diabetes
- Chronic hypertension
- Chronic glomerulonephritis
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
Reasons for having a kidney transplant
There are several health benefits and medical reasons for having a kidney transplant, including:
- Quality of life
- Reduced risk of mortality
- Fewer dietary restrictions
- Lower medical costs
Common questions about kidney transplant
Some of the most common questions that we found about kidney transplants and what people want to know.
How long can you live after a kidney transplant?
When compared to people who are receiving dialysis treatment, the life expectancy of someone receiving a kidney transplant is considerably longer.
| Treatment | Life expectancy |
| Dialysis | 5 years |
| Kidney transplant (living donor) | 12 to 20 years |
| Kidney transplant (deceased donor) | 8 to 12 years |
Will donating a kidney shorten my life expectancy?
The simple answer is ‘No’, there are no known issues with a living donation and it is not a cause for early death. Most donors living with a single kidney don’t have any problems and there is no known increased risk of kidney failure.
What’s the best age for a kidney transplant?
Most current patients who have developed end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and can get a kidney transplant are between 45 and 65 years of age.
Useful resources for kidney transplant
Here are a few useful resources and links that we have found for people looking for more information about kidney transplants.
NHS Choices – kidney transplant
