Does mental health affect life insurance in the UK?
Yes, your mental health can affect a life insurance application, but it rarely means that you won’t be able to get cover for your family. Most UK insurers will look at your full medical history, including any diagnoses, treatment, and hospital admissions in the past 5 or 10 years. This is to work out the level of risk and decide whether to offer standard terms, increase your premium, or, in a small number of cases, postpone or refuse cover. Mild, well-managed mental health issues are often accepted at normal rates, while more severe, recent or unstable issues, such as ongoing suicidal thoughts, multiple recent hospital stays or active substance misuse, usually need more detailed underwriting and can lead to higher premiums or limited options.
Can I still get life insurance with a mental health condition?
In most cases you can still get life insurance if you have, or have had, a mental health condition, especially if it is mild or well-controlled with medication or therapy. Specialist brokers and insurers can often help even where there is a history of self-harm, suicide attempts, or hospital treatment and admissions.
Will I pay more for life cover because of mental health?
Your life insurance premiums might increase if your mental health history suggests a higher level of risk, for example, if there have been recent relapses, suicide attempts or complex comorbidities, but many people with common conditions such as anxiety or depression still pay standard rates. Each insurer uses its own underwriting rules, so prices can vary a lot between providers.
Do life insurance policies pay out for mental health-related deaths?
Most UK life insurance policies pay out for deaths linked to mental health, including suicide after the suicide clause period has passed, as long as you answered all application questions truthfully. Almost all policies include a suicide exclusion during the first 12 and, sometimes, 24 months of the policy.
How can a broker help if I have a mental health history?
A specialist life insurance broker can present your situation clearly to insurers, highlight how well your condition is managed and identify providers with more flexible underwriting for mental health. This can save you time, reduce the risk of unnecessary declines and help you find affordable, realistic cover.
Key Points: Life insurance and mental health in the UK.
- You can usually still secure life insurance if you have a mental health condition, particularly if it is stable and well managed.
- In England, around 1 in 4 people experience a mental health problem of some kind each year, so insurers see these disclosures very regularly.
- Applications are assessed on a range of factors, including your age, health, lifestyle, diagnosis, treatment and how stable your condition is.
- Mild, well controlled conditions often have little or no impact on your premium or eligibility.
- Honesty on your application is vital, as non disclosure could lead to a claim being refused and no payout for your family.
- Using a specialist broker that understands mental health underwriting can help if you are worried about being declined or have more complex needs.
If you have a mental health condition you might be wary of applying for life insurance, assuming it won’t be possible for you or it will cost too much. This may not be true, and in fact, life insurance can often be both available and affordable in this situation.
What is mental health? | Jigsaw Mental Health
This video from Jigsaw explains more about what our mental health is and how it can be impacted by various factors during our lives.
Why mental health does not have to stop you getting life cover
Many people are understandably worried that revealing a mental health history will automatically block them from getting life insurance, but that is not how the UK market works. Insurers recognise that anxiety, depression and other conditions are widespread, and underwriting processes are designed to look at the full context of your health and lifestyle rather than a single label. While some applicants will face higher premiums or extra questions, particularly where there has been recent self-harm, suicidal thoughts or substance misuse, a large proportion of people with mental health disclosures are still offered cover.
Key factors for life insurance with mental health conditions:
- What mental health condition do you have and when were you diagnosed?
- What treatment(s) are you receiving? (e.g. antidepressants, CBT)
- Have you ever been hospitalised due to your mental health?
- Do you have any other pre-existing medical conditions?
- Does your mental health prevent you from working?
- Have you ever harmed yourself or thought about self harm?
- Have you ever attempted to take your own life or thought about taking your own life?
Underwriters are trying to build a picture of risk over the lifetime of the policy. They will pay close attention to how long you have been stable, how consistently you attend therapy or take medication, and whether there are any ongoing crises or safeguarding concerns. If your condition is well controlled, with no recent hospital stays or suicide attempts, the outcome may be far more positive than you expect. This is why preparing for questions in advance and, where possible, working with a broker that can guide you through the application is so valuable.
Life insurance options for people with mental health conditions
There is no single “mental health life insurance” policy in the UK. Instead, people with mental health conditions usually apply for the same types of life cover available to everyone else, with underwriting tailored to their circumstances. The right product for you will depend on your age, budget, family situation and what you want the payout to do, such as clearing a mortgage, replacing lost income or covering funeral costs.
If your mental health condition is considered mild or well controlled, you may be able to take out a standard policy with no special terms. Where there is a history of severe episodes or hospital stays, it may be better to work through a broker that has access to flexible or specialist underwriters. In some cases the insurer might add an exclusion, postpone your application for a period of stability, or offer a lower sum assured than you originally requested. Understanding the main types of policy can make it easier to decide what to apply for and how to balance cost against protection.
| Type of cover | How it works | Key benefits | Considerations for breast cancer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family life insurance (Level term) | Level term life insurance pays a fixed lump sum if you die within a chosen term, usually between 1 and 40 years. | The payout and your monthly premium stay the same throughout, making it a popular way to protect family living costs, children’s expenses or an interest-only mortgage. | If you have a well-managed mental health condition, many insurers will consider offering standard rates for this type of cover. |
| Mortgage life insurance (Decreasing term) | Decreasing term life insurance is mainly used to cover a repayment mortgage, as the insured amount reduces broadly in line with your outstanding loan. | Because the risk to the insurer falls over time, this is usually one of the most affordable policy types. | If you are on a tight budget but want to make sure the family home is protected, this can be a cost-effective option, even if your mental health history means the premium is slightly higher than average. |
| Whole of life insurance | Whole of life insurance is designed to pay out whenever you die, as long as you keep paying the premiums, so it can be useful for inheritance planning or leaving money towards funeral costs. | Can fund a guaranteed inheritance or help with future costs such as funeral expenses or unpaid debts. | Underwriting is often stricter too, so if you have more severe or ongoing mental health issues, you may find it easier to secure term insurance rather than whole of life at an affordable price. |
| Over 50 life insurance | Over 50 life insurance plans offer guaranteed acceptance to UK residents aged between 50 and 85, with no medical questions on the application. | This can be a good fallback if your mental or physical health makes standard underwritten policies difficult to obtain. | The trade-off is that cover amounts are usually lower, and there is often a waiting period of 12 to 24 months before full cover for death by illness or natural causes applies. |
If you are unsure which option might fit your circumstances, a conversation with an adviser can help you weigh up how long you need cover for, what you want the payout to achieve, and how much you can realistically afford each month.
How much does life insurance cost with a mental health history?
Life insurance premiums are always personalised. Insurers look at a mix of factors such as your age, smoker status, BMI, medical history, job, lifestyle and both physical and mental health. When there is a mental health history, they will also assess the specific diagnosis, how long you have had the condition, what treatment you receive and how stable things are at the moment. Someone with historic, well-controlled mild depression may pay little more than a person who has never disclosed any mental health issues, while premiums can rise where there are more severe or recent problems.
Underwriters will pay close attention to the timeline of your condition. If you have been symptom-free for several years, are in stable employment and have no recent self-harm, substance misuse or suicide attempts, that is usually seen as a positive sign. On the other hand, recent hospital admissions, crisis team involvement or multiple changes of medication can indicate a higher level of risk. In some circumstances you might be offered cover with a rating, meaning you pay a percentage on top of the standard premium, or you may be asked to wait a period of time before reapplying. Being transparent about your history gives the insurer confidence in their decision-making and helps protect any future claim.
Questions insurers may ask about your mental health
During a life insurance application, you should expect some specific questions if you disclose a past or current mental health condition. These are not intended to judge you, but to help the insurer assess risk in a fair and consistent way. The detail requested will vary from provider to provider, and more complex situations might lead to follow up questions or a request to write to your GP for a factual medical report. Insurers cannot contact your GP without your explicit consent, and if you refuse, they will usually be unable to progress your application.
- Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or an eating disorder?
- What specific diagnosis or diagnoses have you been given?
- When were you first diagnosed, and when did you last experience significant symptoms?
- Are you on any medication at the moment, and have there been recent changes in dosage or type?
- Have you received therapy, counselling or other professional support, and are you still attending?
- Have you ever been admitted to hospital or under the care of a crisis team because of your mental health?
- Have you ever self-harmed, had suicidal thoughts or made a suicide attempt, and if so, when did this last occur?
- How would you describe your condition now – for example, well managed, improving, or currently unstable?
Taking a few minutes before your application to note down dates of diagnoses, hospital admissions, medication changes and key treatment milestones can make this part of the process smoother and less stressful. A broker can also help you phrase answers clearly and accurately so that underwriters get the right picture the first time.
Added mental health support benefits with life insurance
Many modern life insurance policies include added-value services that can be particularly helpful if you are managing a mental health condition. These are often provided at no extra cost and can be used even if you never make a life insurance claim. They might include digital GP access, talking therapy sessions, wellbeing apps or signposting to further support for you and your family members.
| Insurer | Benefit | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Aviva | Aviva Digicare+ app | Wellbeing support through an app, including annual health checks, nutrition advice, bereavement counselling, second medical opinions and access to therapy, usually for you, your partner and your children. |
| Aviva (formerly AIG Smart Health) | Smart Health | Access to a virtual GP, lifestyle guidance and a set number of therapy sessions with qualified professionals, often available to partners and older children as well. |
| The Exeter | Healthwise | A member app that can include health MOTs, mental health consultations and other remote medical services. |
| Smart Insurance | Health and wellbeing services | On-demand 24/7 GP consultations, tools for tracking mood and managing anxiety or depression, plus additional wellbeing support such as nutrition guidance. |
| Royal London | Helping Hand | Signposting to a wide range of mental health and wellbeing resources, from local support groups to helplines and online information. |
When comparing quotes, it can be worth considering these added benefits as part of the overall value of a policy, especially if you or a family member might use ongoing mental health or wellbeing support.
What if I have been refused life insurance because of my mental health?
Being turned down for life insurance can feel upsetting, but one refusal does not mean every insurer will say no. Providers all have their own underwriting rules and appetite for risk, and some are more comfortable than others with certain mental health histories. A decline today may also become a “yes” in the future if your condition stabilises, you remain free from self-harm or substance misuse, or you are able to return to work after a period off sick.
If cover has been postponed rather than flatly declined, the insurer will often suggest a timeframe after which they may be willing to look again, such as one or two years after your last hospital admission or suicide attempt. In the meantime, speaking to a specialist impaired risk broker can be helpful. They can identify which insurers are more likely to consider your situation, ensure applications are not made repeatedly to unsuitable providers and help you avoid unnecessary hard searches on your records.
Do life insurance policies pay out for mental health?
Most standard UK life insurance policies pay out regardless of the cause of death, including deaths linked to mental health conditions or suicide, as long as you have been honest on your application. The main exception is the suicide clause, which is a standard feature across the market. This typically states that no payout will be made if the policyholder dies by suicide within the first 12 months of the policy starting, although some insurers apply a 24-month period.
Once the suicide clause period has passed, claims are generally considered in the same way as any other death claim. The clause exists to reduce the risk of someone taking out a large policy with the intention of dying by suicide shortly afterwards to provide a financial benefit to their family. It is not designed to punish people who live with ongoing mental health difficulties. The crucial point is always that you disclose any history of self-harm or suicidal thoughts when you apply, even if it feels difficult to discuss. If the insurer later discovers undisclosed information that would have affected their decision, they may be entitled to reduce or refuse the claim.
Which mental health conditions matter for life insurance?
Insurers are interested in any diagnosed mental health condition that could reasonably affect your long-term wellbeing or risk of early death. Common examples include anxiety, depression, stress-related disorders, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and schizophrenia. You might also be asked about substance misuse, personality disorders, perinatal mental health issues or neurodevelopmental conditions if they have led to significant impairment or risk in the past.
- Anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder
- Depression, whether single episode or recurrent
- Stress-related conditions, particularly where they have led to time off work
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
If your situation feels complicated, do not assume that it is hopeless. What underwriters usually want to see is evidence of stability, engagement with treatment and reduced risk over time. Talking your case through with a knowledgeable adviser before you apply can help you understand likely outcomes and choose a realistic level of cover that fits both your needs and your budget.
Frequently asked questions about life insurance and mental health
Does taking antidepressants affect life insurance?
If you mention any type of medical condition, your insurer is likely to ask if you have been prescribed treatments or medications. Insurers may want more information about medication like antidepressants such as:
- How long have you been taking antidepressants?
- Has your medication changed recently?
- Has your medication dose increased or decreased since you started taking it?
There aren’t any ‘wrong’ answers, and you should always try to answer questions about medication or treatment as honestly as you can. Insurers will want all the relevant medical information they need and if you leave anything out you risk your policy being invalid.
Does seeing a psychiatrist affect life insurance?
If you disclose a mental health condition, you will be asked whether you have been referred to a psychiatrist or a specialist. If you have, this can be a positive thing because it means that you have received treatment or proper care.
It is usually part of the application process to be asked about any treatment (e.g. CBT) or specialist care that you have received. This is purely to see whether you are or have been through a process to try to help you with your mental health.
Is mental health a pre-existing condition for life insurance?
A pre-existing medical condition is defined as something that you have suffered symptoms, received treatment or medication for, over a period of time. Some conditions may be ‘ever had’ and some may be within a period of time (e.g. within 5 years).
Examples of conditions you have ‘ever had’ include eating disorders, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Examples of conditions from within the past 5 years would include conditions like depression, anxiety or stress.
Is depression covered by life insurance?
YES – In most cases, you should be able to get life insurance with a history of depression. The insurer will ask a few questions about your depression and any treatment you may have received.
It can be helpful to apply at a time where your depression symptoms are less severe, as you may be able to get a better price.
Is anxiety a mental disorder for life insurance?
YES – Anxiety would be classed a pre-existing condition when you apply for life insurance if you have had symptoms or treatment within the last 5 years.
People with anxiety can live completely normal lives provided they have the right support and anxiety shouldn’t prevent you from getting the life insurance that you need.
Comparing life insurance that covers mental health
Comparing policies is one of the most effective ways to find affordable life insurance if you have a mental health condition. Different insurers will often make very different decisions on the same medical history, which is why narrowing yourself to one brand or going straight to a single high street name can end up costing you more or leading to a declined application. A good broker will ask about your condition in a sensitive way, then approach providers they know are more open to similar cases.
When comparing options, pay attention not only to price but also to the length of the term, the sum assured, any exclusions and the quality of the insurer’s claims and support services. Check that the policy fits the financial pressure points in your life, such as the years until your mortgage is cleared or your children become financially independent. If your budget is limited, it can be better to secure a smaller, affordable amount of cover now rather than delaying in the hope of a perfect deal later. That way, your loved ones have at least some protection in place while you continue working on your financial and mental wellbeing.
Key points for Mental Health and life insurance
- Mental health conditions are common in the UK, and most people who disclose them can still arrange life insurance.
- Insurers look at the overall picture, including diagnosis, treatment, stability and any history of self-harm or suicide attempts.
- Honesty on your application is essential to protect future claims.
- There is usually a suicide clause in the first 12 to 24 months of a policy.
- Specialist brokers and impaired risk teams can make a big difference if your history is complex or you have been declined before.
- Comparing quotes and policy features helps you find the right balance between cost and protection for your family.
If you are ready to explore your options, you can speak to a fee-free, FCA-regulated life insurance broker that understands mental health and will work with you to secure the best terms available for your circumstances.
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Useful resources: Mental Health
Mind
Mind is one of the UK's biggest and best known mental health charities and they work hard to empower and support anyone with mental health issues or questions. Mind help to provide various support services and many informative online guides and resources.
Mind has been established for over 60 years and has provided services to millions of people through over 1000+ local support services in England and Wales.
Contact details
Telephone - 0300 123 3393
Email - info@mind.org.uk
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
