Can you get life insurance if you have depression?
Yes, you can usually get life insurance if you have been diagnosed with depression or have had depression in the past, although the questions you are asked and the price you pay will depend on how severe or how well controlled your condition is. Many people with mild or well-managed depression are accepted on standard terms, while those with more complex mental health histories may pay a higher premium or be referred to a specialist insurer. Getting life insurance with a mental health problem can be stressful, so it can be easier and cheaper to get cover with a fee-free regulated life insurance broker.
Will you always be accepted for life insurance with depression?
No, acceptance is not guaranteed, but many applicants with depression are offered life cover, especially where symptoms are mild, stable and well treated. Some people with severe depression and other medical complications may find getting cover more difficult, which is where a specialist broker may still be able to find options if you have previously been declined.
Does having depression always increase life insurance premiums?
Not necessarily, as some people with a low-risk, well-managed history of depression can be offered standard rates, while more severe, recent or unstable depression may lead to a premium increase or extra medical checks. Every life insurance company approaches life insurance underwriting differently with mental health and depression, so you may find that some insurers are significantly cheaper than others.
Do you have to declare depression on a life insurance application?
Yes, you must answer all mental health questions honestly, including any past diagnosis of depression, because withholding information could lead to a claim being reduced or refused later on.
Is it worth using a broker for life insurance with depression?
For many people it is, as a broker who understands mental health underwriting can quickly compare multiple insurers, explain the questions in plain English and help you find suitable, low cost cover that matches your budget.
Key Points: Life insurance guide for people with depression 2026.
- You can often get life insurance with depression, including if you have a past diagnosis or are currently on antidepressants.
- Insurers will ask specific questions about your mental health, treatment, symptoms and any history of self harm or hospitalisation.
- Depression may have no impact on price if it is mild and stable, but severe or recent episodes can mean higher premiums, postponement or, in some cases, refusal.
- You must disclose depression and other pre existing conditions fully, otherwise future claims may be rejected.
- Different insurers treat mental health very differently, so comparing quotes through an FCA regulated broker can save you time and money.
- Several types of life cover are available, including term life, family income benefit, whole of life and over 50s plans with guaranteed acceptance.
- Some policies include extra wellbeing support, such as access to mental health consultations or remote GP services at no extra cost.
- If you have more complex mental health needs, there are specialist insurers and impaired risk teams who focus on finding cover for harder to insure cases.
Our life insurance experts are here to answer all the UK’s top questions about depression and life insurance to protect your family or your home. Most people with depression can buy life insurance, and often from popular insurers like Vitality, LV, or Legal & General.
Insurance underwriting for depression is constantly improving, so you should have access to more options and fairer prices than ever before. If you manage your symptoms well, life insurance for depression can be far cheaper than you might expect.
This comprehensive depression life insurance guide explains how life insurance for depression works and how to find the best and cheapest protection for your loved ones. Our life insurance specialists have included real price examples, and our top tips to help you save money on your life cover.
What is depression?
According to the NHS, depression is a ‘persistent feeling of sadness’ which lasts for weeks or months rather than days. We all feel sad or experience low moods occasionally, but depression is an ongoing condition which can affect your daily activities.
How to talk to your GP about your mental health
This video from mental health charity Mind offers tips and advice for talking to your GP about your mental health.
When you apply for life insurance, you will be asked if you have depression currently or have experienced depression in the past. The insurer may also ask if you have any other related mental health conditions such as stress or anxiety.
Can you get life insurance with depression?
You can often get life insurance with depression, and mental health is now more openly discussed in the UK. Many top UK life insurance companies will offer cover to people with depression, especially if your symptoms are mild or well-managed.
It can be difficult to discuss your mental health with a stranger, which is why our experts work hard to make this as easy as possible for you. While it may be uncomfortable, it’s important to answer any questions about your mental health as honestly as you can.
The insurance company needs to have a full understanding of your health and medical history before they can decide whether to offer you cover. If you miss out any important details, you risk your policy being invalid or not suitable for you.
Does depression affect life insurance?
Having depression won’t change how your life insurance policy works, and you will receive the same level of protection as anyone else. The main difference is that you will be asked extra questions about your mental health and any treatment.
This isn’t anything to worry about, and an experienced life insurance expert can give you as much time as you need to answer these questions. In some cases, you may need to provide extra evidence such as a GP medical report. The insurance company can ask for medical records on your behalf, so you won’t need to arrange this yourself.
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How does depression life insurance work?
There are millions of people with depression in the UK, and the symptoms and their severity can vary massively between each person. The price of life insurance will also vary, as insurers will assess each person who applies on a case-by-case basis.
Common questions when applying for life insurance with depression:
- When were you diagnosed with depression and how serious are your symptoms?
- Have you been prescribed medication to treat symptoms of depression?
- Do your depression symptoms prevent you from working as normal?
- Have you ever been hospitalised due to your mental health?
- Have you ever self-harmed or experienced suicidal thoughts/attempts?
- Have you ever needed time off work because of depression?
- Have you ever seen a counsellor or psychiatrist due to depression?
Life insurance questions about mental health are often very specific and you will typically be asked about depression symptoms and treatment within the last 5 years.
When you apply for life insurance with depression, there are several possible outcomes:
1. Offered standard cover immediately
You are offered standard cover with no price increase (usually if your symptoms are mild or well managed with medication, counselling etc).
2. Offered cover but with a price increase
You may be offered a slightly higher premium if the insurer thinks you are more likely to claim due to your mental health or other risk factors (e.g. high risk hobby).
3. Application postponed
Your application might be postponed if your symptoms have recently gotten much worse or your treatment has changed. This just means that the insurer wants to wait to assess your application until your symptoms improve or you have been on your treatment for longer.
4. Your application is declined
Your application could be declined if the insurer isn’t the right fit for you. The insurer must have a valid reason to decline your application and can’t discriminate based on your mental health.
Note: While many insurers will ask about symptoms/treatment within the last 5 years, others may ask if you have ever experienced symptoms. It’s always best to be honest, as this guarantees that your cover is valid.
Can I be denied life insurance due to depression?
A life insurance company could refuse to offer you cover based on your mental health, medical history, or lifestyle. They will need a valid reason for this, and insurers are fully regulated so they must treat you fairly.
Being declined for life insurance in the past doesn’t necessarily mean that you can never get covered. You might have applied at a bad time (e.g. when your symptoms were worse) or with an insurer that isn’t suitable for you.
There should still be some options, and it’s worth checking to see if another insurer can offer the cover that you need. Insurers also won’t know if you have applied to another insurance company before unless you mention this to them.
Does life insurance cover depression?
Standard life insurance will always cover pre-existing conditions including mental health conditions like depression. If you mentioned your diagnosis when you applied, you will be covered for depression.
You will also be covered for any other physical or mental health conditions that occur in the future. This is because life insurance policies are based on your health and lifestyle at the time that you applied.
Does life insurance for depression pay out?
Your life insurance company will pay out a cash lump sum to your loved ones if you die for any reason related to your mental health. Your policy should also pay out if you die from other causes such as an illness or an accident.
One of the main exclusions for life insurance is suicidal death, which most insurers don’t cover for at least 12 months. We understand that this is a sensitive topic to discuss, and you can find more details in our guide ‘Does life insurance pay out for suicide?’.
How much does depression life insurance cost?
Based on our experience, life insurance can cost around £20 – £30 per month or less for people with milder cases of depression. You might pay more or less based on factors like your age, smoker status, and job role.
Every insurer will have a different approach to mental health, which means that prices can vary a lot between insurance companies. It’s a good idea to check quotes from multiple insurers to make sure that you are getting a fair price.
The simplest ways to save money on your life insurance policy include:
Make improvements to your health/lifestyle
Improving your lifestyle (e.g. quitting smoking or weight loss) can save you money on your life insurance. Insurers tend to offer the lowest premiums to applicant with a healthy lifestyle, so this helps to improve your chances of being offered a lower price.
Apply at the right time
It’s always best to start the life insurance application process at the right time. You should avoid applying when your symptoms are bad or if you have recently changed your treatment or medication.
Shop around for the best quotes
It’s a good idea to check quotes from multiple insurers to see which companies are offering the lowest prices. Some insurers are more understanding of mental health conditions, and you should assess all of your options to see which insurer offers the best deal for the cover that you need.
Life insurance for depression can still be affordable, and especially for younger applicants. It’s always best to get life insurance as early in life as you can to get the best prices. The example below is a real live policy, which demonstrates how affordable life insurance can be.
What is the best life insurance for depression?
Many of the UK’s best life insurance companies will offer cover to people with a history of depression. This includes top insurers like Aviva, Legal & General, and AIG. If you have severe symptoms or multiple conditions, there are specialist insurers that may be able to help (e.g. The Exeter).
The right insurer for you will be based on your own situation and the type of cover that you need (family life insurance, mortgage life insurance etc). There are a lot of options for life insurance in the UK, so it’s worth comparing policies to figure out which is ‘best’ for you.
Can I get critical illness cover with depression?
Critical illness insurance can be added to life cover and is often available for people with a history of depression. This policy offers additional protection by paying a cash lump sum if you are diagnosed with serious conditions like stroke or cancer.
This money can be life changing for many people and can help you to maintain your usual lifestyle or make necessary changes following your diagnosis. Most life insurance companies offer critical illness cover, either as an add on to life insurance or a standalone policy.
How can I compare the best life insurance with depression?
Getting life insurance with depression can be simpler than you would imagine if you speak to the right insurance companies. You could even get cover from one of the UK’s biggest insurers, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
The simplest way to work out which insurer is right for you is to speak to an experienced depression life insurance specialist.
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Useful resources
Chasing the Stigma
Chasing the Stigma is a national mental health charity on a mission to normalise and humanise conversations about mental health, whilst ensuring that everyone in the UK can access clear pathways to support, whenever and wherever they need it.
Chasing the Stigma's 'Hub of Hope' database is the UK's biggest directory of mental health support services, and is used by the NHS as well as other organisations. They also provide a range of mental health training and suicide awareness courses to try and reduce the rate of suicide and self-harm within the UK.
Contact Chasing the Stigma
Email - info@chasingthestigma.co.uk
To find mental health support in your area, visit the Hub of Hope website.
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Mental Health UK
Mental Health UK has been supporting the mental health of people across the UK for more than 50 years. They deliver services both locally and nationally to empower people with the information they need to take care of their mental wellbeing.
They work to combat and raise awareness of the root causes of mental health issues and give people the necessary resources to enhance their well-being in their home, academic, and professional environments.
There are 4 organisations that merged to form Mental Health UK which are Rethink Mental Illness (England), Adferiad (Wales), Change Mental Health (Scotland) and Mind Wise (Northern Ireland).
Contact details
Telephone (England) - 0121 522 7007
Telephone (Wales) - 01792 816 600/832 400
Telephone (Scotland) - 0131 662 4359
Telephone (Northern Ireland) - 0289 040 2323
Email - info@mentalhealth-uk.org
