Epilepsy Life Insurance Guide UK 2026

Can you get life insurance with epilepsy in the UK?

Yes, it is often possible to get life insurance if you have epilepsy, although the cover, price, and insurer you are offered will depend on the type of seizures you have, how well controlled they are, your general health and the type of policy you choose. By answering medical questions honestly, comparing quotes from several insurers and, where helpful, using a specialist broker, many people with epilepsy are able to arrange affordable life cover that helps protect their mortgage, bills and family finances.

Can epilepsy patients be accepted for standard life cover?

In many cases, yes. If your epilepsy is well controlled with medication, you have not had a recent seizure and your seizures do not cause a loss of consciousness, some mainstream insurers may offer standard terms or only a small increase in your premium. Some people with more severe symptoms can find that life insurance premiums will be higher or they may need to apply with a specialist pre existing conditions company.

Will epilepsy always make life insurance more expensive?

Not always. Mild or well managed epilepsy may have only a limited impact on your premiums, especially if you are otherwise healthy, a non-smoker, and choose a modest amount of cover over a shorter term. Some individuals with more severe or uncontrolled epilepsy are likely to pay higher premiums when they apply for life cover.

Can you be refused life insurance because of epilepsy?

You can be declined in some situations, for example where seizures are very frequent, the condition is newly diagnosed, you have other serious health issues or there are several high risk factors together, but a refusal from one insurer does not mean every provider will say no.

Is there life cover for epilepsy with no medical questions?

If you are aged between 50 and 85, you may be able to take out an over 50s life insurance plan that does not ask for medical details, in which case your epilepsy will not affect acceptance, although the cover amount is usually smaller and premiums can be relatively high for the sum assured.

Key Points: Best life insurance for people with epilepsy 2026.

• You can usually apply for life insurance with epilepsy, but your condition will be treated as a pre existing medical condition.
• Insurers look closely at seizure type, frequency, date of last seizure, medication and any hospital stays when deciding whether to offer cover.
• Well controlled epilepsy may have only a minor effect on price, while uncontrolled or recent seizures can lead to higher premiums or, in some cases, a decline.
• Over 50 life insurance and specialist providers can be useful options if you have struggled to get standard cover.
• Using a broker who understands epilepsy can save time, help you avoid unnecessary medical exams and often secure more competitive quotes.

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This guide looks at some of the main issues that you might find if you’re applying for life insurance with epilepsy. Our medical life insurance experts explains how life cover works for people with epilepsy, what it might cost, and what options will be available to you based on your medical situation.

Can I get life insurance with epilepsy?

If you have epilepsy, it is understandable to worry that no insurer will want to cover you or that premiums will be sky high. In reality, UK insurers see many applications from people with epilepsy and will usually assess you as an individual, rather than making a blanket decision. They will consider what sort of seizures you experience, how often they occur, how stable your condition is and how it affects your day to day life.

Over 630,000 people in the UK are living with epilepsy, so your situation is far from unusual. Because of this, most large insurers have clear underwriting rules for epilepsy. Some people with well controlled seizures are able to secure life insurance at standard rates, while others may have a small or moderate increase applied to reflect the extra risk perceived by the insurer. If you have more complex epilepsy, you may find that some insurers are cautious or decline, but that does not mean all of them will.

Working with a broker can be especially helpful here. A broker can discuss your medical history with you in plain English, highlight which providers are usually more sympathetic to epilepsy, and put you forward only to insurers that are likely to say yes. They can also explain how different cover types work so that you are not paying extra for features you do not really need.

How does life insurance work with epilepsy and seizure types?

One of the first things underwriters will look at is the type of seizure you have and how often they occur. In the past, you might have heard terms like “grand mal” or “petit mal”, but modern classifications are a bit more detailed, and your medical notes are likely to use these newer descriptions.

Common seizure types insurers may ask about include:

• Absence seizures (previously called petit mal), where you briefly lose awareness of your surroundings.
• Focal aware seizures, where you remain conscious but may have unusual sensations or movements.
• Focal impaired awareness seizures, where your awareness is affected and you may behave oddly or have gaps in your memory.
• Myoclonic seizures, which involve brief, shock like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles.
• Tonic and atonic seizures, where the body suddenly stiffens or goes limp.
• Tonic clonic seizures (previously called grand mal), which involve stiffening followed by jerking, often with loss of consciousness.

If you have been living with epilepsy for some time you might still use older labels, but this should not cause problems. The insurer is interested in how your seizures actually present and what the medical records say, not whether you know the textbook name. When you apply, try to give clear, simple explanations about how your seizures affect you, how long they last and how they have changed over time.

What is life insurance for epilepsy?

There is no special policy officially called “epilepsy life insurance”. The phrase simply describes a standard life insurance policy that has been taken out by someone who has an epilepsy diagnosis. From a product point of view, it works just like any other life policy, the main difference is that your medical history has been taken into account during underwriting.

Life insurance is designed to pay a cash sum to your loved ones if you die while covered. That lump sum can be used in any way your family chooses, but common uses include:

• Paying off a mortgage or reducing other major debts.
• Catching up on household bills and everyday outgoings after an income has been lost.
• Covering funeral costs so relatives are not left trying to find the money at short notice.
• Providing a nest egg or small inheritance for children or grandchildren.
• Offsetting a potential inheritance tax bill if your estate is large enough to be affected.

For anyone with a long term medical condition like epilepsy, life insurance can provide extra reassurance that loved ones will have financial breathing space if the worst happens. A policy will not change your condition, but it can remove at least one worry from your mind and help you feel that you have taken a practical step to protect the people who rely on you financially.

Is epilepsy a pre existing medical condition with life cover?

From an insurer’s point of view, epilepsy is classed as a pre existing medical condition if you have been diagnosed before you apply for cover. This means you must declare it and answer follow up questions about your seizures. You will also need to disclose any other conditions you have, such as heart problems, depression or diabetes, as well as any relevant family history.

You should always answer these questions honestly and in full. Insurers use your medical details to decide which policies they can offer you and at what price. If you leave information out or underplay your symptoms, you risk having a claim refused later on, which could leave your family without the money they were counting on.

If your medical history is quite complicated, or if you have previously had an application for life insurance declined, you might benefit from speaking to a broker who specialises in pre existing conditions. They can point you towards insurers who are more open to non standard risks and help you understand documents and terms which might otherwise be confusing.

Does epilepsy affect life insurance?

Epilepsy can affect both your chances of getting life insurance and the price you pay, but exactly how big that impact is will depend on a range of factors. Underwriters do not simply see “epilepsy” and treat everyone the same. Instead, they build a picture of your overall risk using the information you provide.

If your epilepsy is well controlled with medication, you have not had a seizure for several years, and you have no loss of consciousness or complications, many insurers will see you as relatively low risk. In these cases, life cover may be available on standard terms, especially if other risk factors, such as smoking or high BMI, are not present.

On the other hand, if you have frequent seizures, especially with loss of consciousness or injuries, if your treatment has recently changed or you have been admitted to hospital, the insurer may view you as higher risk. That could lead to an increased premium, specific exclusions, a request for more medical evidence, or, in some cases, a postponement or decline.

Why consider a broker for epilepsy life insurance?

Many people are comfortable buying straightforward life insurance directly from an insurer, but epilepsy can make things more complicated. A broker who understands how different insurers treat epilepsy can be a real asset, particularly if you have been turned down before or if your seizures are hard to control.

Good reasons to use a broker include:

• Experience in dealing with epilepsy cases and knowledge of which insurers tend to be more flexible.
• Time saving, since you can provide your medical details once and let the broker do the shopping around.
• Support with paperwork, helping you answer questions clearly and avoid accidental contradictions or gaps.
• Access to specialist insurers who may not deal with the public directly but who can take a more tailored view of complex medical histories.
• Extra services such as help putting your policy in trust, which can protect the payout from inheritance tax and speed up payment to your beneficiaries.

A broker is usually paid by the insurer rather than by you, so you should not be charged a fee for getting quotes or advice. That makes it a low cost way to get extra help and potentially secure better value cover than if you went straight to a single provider.

What is the best life insurance for epilepsy?

The “best” life insurance product for someone with epilepsy will depend on your budget, health, age and what you want the policy to achieve. Epilepsy does not stop you from choosing between the main types of cover, but it can affect the price and the terms you are offered. Below is a simple overview of the main options and how they might suit someone with epilepsy.

Level term life insurance

Level term life insurance pays a fixed lump sum if you die within a set period, such as 20 or 30 years. The payout amount stays the same throughout the term, which makes it a popular choice for covering an interest only mortgage, providing family protection or replacing a breadwinner’s income for several years.

For applicants with epilepsy, level term life cover will usually involve full medical underwriting. The insurer will assess your seizures, medication and general health before confirming a price. Well controlled cases may attract only a small increase in premium, while more severe epilepsy is likely to cost more. Level term can be a good fit if you want a clear, fixed payout figure and are comfortable answering health questions up front.

Decreasing term life insurance

Decreasing term life insurance is mainly used alongside a repayment mortgage. The sum assured reduces roughly in line with your mortgage balance, so if you die during the term there should still be enough to clear the outstanding loan. Because the payout reduces over time, decreasing term is often cheaper than a level policy with the same starting amount and length.

The medical questions will be similar to those for level term cover, and epilepsy will be assessed in the same way. This type of policy is worth considering if your top priority is protecting your home and you are happy for the payout to fall as you pay off your mortgage.

Whole of life insurance

Whole of life insurance is designed to last for the rest of your life, with a guaranteed payout whenever you die, as long as premiums are maintained. This can be useful if you are planning for funeral costs, leaving a guaranteed legacy, or managing a potential inheritance tax bill.

Since the insurer knows they will definitely have to pay out at some point, whole of life cover is usually more expensive than term insurance, especially if you are younger when you start the policy. For someone with epilepsy, the insurer will still underwrite your medical history, and any extra risk may be reflected in higher premiums. It is sensible to think carefully about long term affordability, as cancelling later can be poor value.

Over 50 life insurance

Over 50 life insurance is a simple type of whole of life cover for people typically aged between 50 and 85. Acceptance is usually guaranteed as long as you fit the age criteria and live in the UK, and there are no medical questions. That means epilepsy, and most other medical conditions, will not affect whether you are accepted.

The trade off is that sums assured are usually relatively modest, often in the region of £1,000 to £20,000, and premiums can look high compared to term insurance, especially if you live for many years. Over 50 plans can be a useful safety net if you have been declined for standard life insurance or if you simply prefer not to go through medical underwriting.

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Other insurance options for people with epilepsy

Life insurance is not the only type of cover that may be relevant if you have epilepsy. Depending on your situation and budget, there are several other policies that could provide extra financial security for you and your family.

Terminal illness cover

Many term life policies automatically include terminal illness benefit at no extra cost. This allows you to claim the full sum assured early if you are diagnosed with a condition that your doctor believes will lead to death within 12 months. The payout can help with end of life care costs, clearing debts or putting your affairs in order.

For someone with epilepsy, it is worth checking whether any exclusions apply to conditions linked to your seizures. For example, if a serious brain injury or complication arises directly from a seizure, the policy wording might exclude it. Always read the key facts document carefully and ask questions if anything is unclear.

Critical illness cover

Critical illness cover pays a tax free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a list of specified serious conditions while the policy is in force. These often include illnesses like cancer, heart attack and stroke. Critical illness can be added to life insurance for an extra cost or bought on its own.

If you have epilepsy, insurers may apply exclusions for certain neurological conditions, or they may decide not to offer critical illness at all if they feel the risk is too high. Where it is available, the policy can be very useful, providing money to replace lost earnings or pay for private treatment if you become seriously ill.

Income protection insurance

Income protection is designed to replace part of your income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury. Policies typically cover between 50 and 70 per cent of your usual salary, paid as a regular monthly benefit after a chosen waiting period.

For people with epilepsy, insurers will want to know how seizures affect your capacity to work, especially if your job involves driving, operating machinery or working at heights. They may offer cover with exclusions related to epilepsy, or, in more severe cases, they may decline. If you can secure appropriate terms, income protection can be extremely valuable, because it protects your day to day finances rather than only paying out on death.

Family income benefit

Family income benefit is a type of life insurance that pays a monthly income to your beneficiaries if you die during the policy term, instead of a single lump sum. This can make budgeting easier for your family, as it mimics the regular income they are used to, and it is often good value because the total potential payout reduces over time.

For someone with epilepsy, the underwriting process is similar to other life policies. If accepted, this can be a practical way to ensure your family could continue to pay the mortgage or rent and everyday bills without having to manage a large one off sum.

How much is life insurance for someone with epilepsy?

There is no single price for epilepsy life insurance, because premiums are calculated individually. Two people with epilepsy can pay very different amounts depending on their age, seizure pattern, overall health, and the type and size of policy they choose. As a rough rule of thumb, the higher an insurer believes the risk is, the more you can expect to pay.

Insurers will usually look at three broad areas of information when setting your premium:

1. General personal details

• Age younger applicants normally pay less, as statistically they are at lower risk of death during the term.
• General health and wellbeing including any other medical conditions.
• Smoking status smokers and recent ex smokers normally pay more than non smokers.
• Weight and BMI being significantly underweight or overweight can affect the price.
• Occupation and lifestyle high risk jobs or hobbies can increase premiums.

2. Details about your epilepsy

• Type of seizures and whether they involve loss of consciousness.
• How often seizures happen and when the last one was.
• Medication, dosage and how long your treatment has been stable.
• Any hospitalisations, injuries or complications linked to seizures.
• Whether an underlying cause has been identified and how that is managed.

3. Policy features

• Policy type such as level term, decreasing term, whole of life or over 50 cover.
• Sum assured a higher payout amount leads to a higher monthly premium.
• Policy term longer terms increase the chance of a claim, so cost more.
• Optional extras such as critical illness cover or waiver of premium.

Because so many factors are involved, comparing quotes is essential. Getting several offers side by side makes it much easier to see which insurers are more sympathetic to your condition and where you can get the best value for the level of protection you want.

Can you be refused life insurance because of epilepsy?

It is possible for an insurer to decline a life insurance application because of epilepsy, particularly if your seizures are frequent, uncontrolled or have led to serious complications. A recent diagnosis can also be an issue, as many underwriters prefer to see how your condition develops and responds to treatment over time before committing to cover.

Other risk factors can compound this. For example, being older, smoking heavily, drinking a lot of alcohol or having a dangerous job can all add to the overall risk picture. If the insurer feels that the combination of risks is simply too high, they may say no, or they may postpone a decision for a year or two.

What if you have been declined previously?

If you have already been refused life insurance, try not to lose heart. Different insurers have different underwriting rules, and a decline from one provider does not automatically mean the same outcome everywhere. A specialist broker can often identify insurers who are more open to epilepsy cases similar to yours and present your application in the best possible light.

You might also want to consider alternative products. For example, if you are between 50 and 85, an over 50 plan could provide guaranteed acceptance without medical questions, giving at least some protection for funeral expenses or a small legacy. While the cover may be more limited, it can still be very valuable to your family.

Will you need a medical exam for epilepsy life insurance?

Not everyone with epilepsy will be asked to attend a medical exam. In many cases, insurers can make a decision based on your application answers and, if necessary, a short medical report from your GP. This report cannot be requested without your consent, and you have the right to see what your doctor sends.

You are more likely to be asked to attend a medical if your epilepsy is complex, if there have been recent changes in your condition or treatment, or if you have other health issues that need clarification. The exam is usually carried out by a nurse at your home or a local clinic, and the insurer pays for it. If you refuse to provide the requested medical evidence, the insurer will not have enough information to underwrite your policy, so the application would not be able to proceed.

Compare life insurance quotes for people with epilepsy

Life insurance for someone with epilepsy does not need to be confusing or unaffordable, but securing the right policy at a fair price does usually mean taking time to shop around. Because every insurer views risk differently, the first quote you see may not be the most competitive, and a refusal from one provider does not mean cover is impossible elsewhere.

If you are ready to explore your options, start by thinking about how much cover your family would realistically need, how long for, and what you can comfortably afford each month. Then compare quotes from several reputable UK insurers, or speak to a broker who can do the legwork for you. With the right guidance and clear, honest information about your epilepsy, there is a strong chance you will be able to put suitable protection in place for the people who matter most.

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