Getting life insurance can be difficult for individuals with kidney disease. It is possible that you have encountered difficulties in receiving appropriate assistance or guidance, and as a result, you may feel uncertain about your ability to obtain life insurance. 

To assist you, we have compiled information on the various types of life insurance that are accessible and how to go about obtaining them if you have kidney disease. The cost and extent of cover will differ, therefore we advise obtaining quotes from a few businesses to identify the one that best meets your requirements and financial situation. 

If you would like to learn more about kidney disease life insurance, please keep reading. 

What is life insurance?

The purpose of life insurance is to provide financial security for your family or business in the event of the policy holder's death. Your life insurance policy can offer a one-time payment or regular monthly benefit as specified in the policy terms. 

Life insurance options

• There’s more to life insurance then just covering the cost of a mortgage. Some of the options available include:
  • Family life insurance
    • Typically pays out a lump sum of money to your beneficiaries to help them cover their living expenses or other financial obligations. The policy can be tailored to your specific needs. Family life insurance can be purchased as a joint policy, covering both you and your spouse, or as an individual policy.
  • Family income benefit
    • A family income benefit policy works in exactly the same way as any other life insurance product, as it pays out a tax-free payment on death. The main difference between Family Income Benefit and other life insurance policies is that this type of cover pays-out a regular income rather than a lump sum payment
  • Over 50’s life insurance
    • Unlike regular life insurance, an over 50’s life insurance plan is slightly different. You do not need to answer any medical questions or provide evidence to complete the application, however you can choose to answer two very brief medical questions which will reduce the qualifying period from 2 years to 6 months. It is a guaranteed acceptance policy, and anyone who is over 50 can take out a policy.
  • Whole of life insurance
    • Whole of life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that provides cover for the entirety of the policyholder’s life, rather than a specific term. It is called “whole of life” because it covers the policyholder for their entire life, rather than just a specific term (such as 10, 20, or 30 years). 
  • Mortgage life insurance
    • Is a type of life insurance policy that is designed to pay off your mortgage balance if you die during the policy term. This type of policy is typically used by homeowners who have a mortgage on their property and want to ensure that their loved ones can continue to live in the home if they pass away.
  • Business life insurance
    • There are many types of business life insurance such as
      • Group life insurance
      • Keyman insurance
      • Shareholder protection insurance
      • Business loan protection

 

Factors to think about when considering life insurance:

• Duration of the policy (term). How long would you like the cover to run. The average duration is around 20-25 years...however you can also take out a policy for 40 years
• Amount of cover needed. Consider factors such as covering your mortgage, rent, if you want your family to receive a lump sum and funeral costs
• Family medical history. If you know of any family medical history, such as a history of cancer – it’s best to declare this as it may affect the pay-out if you don’t. 

Life insurance & kidney disease 

Kidney disease and life insurance

The cost of life insurance for people with Kidney Disease will vary greatly dependent on what type of Kidney Disease has been diagnosed and what treatment has been prescribed. In certain cases, cover may include a higher premium whereas in others you may be able to obtain cover without any increase in cost. 

How will my condition affect my insurance premiums?

Having a pre-existing medical condition such as Kidney Disease may cause an increase to your life insurance premiums. Although rates available for kidney patients have improved in recent years. An expert protection adviser will know which insurers offer the best rates for your particular condition and severity of symptoms. 

Can I get cover after a transplant?

Most insurers require a postponement period following a transplant before offering full cover, this is usually two years. This doesn’t mean you need to go without cover, a specialist brokers can help you arrange some interim cover in this period that would exclude pre-existing conditions. 

Once the postponement period is complete, your adviser should get back in contact and carry out the full client application. 

What if i’ve been declined life insurance previously?

Don’t worry, a decline elsewhere doesn’t mean you can’t get cover. A medical condition such as kidney disease, really requires a specialist who knows where best to place your application and which insurers can offer cover for your personal circumstances. 

What information do I need to apply for life insurance:

When applying for kidney disease life insurance, underwriters will need to know details such as:

• When you received your diagnosis
• Regular medication you are taking
• How your health is currently and any acute attacks
• Information on results / readings (GFR and Creatinine)
• Have you had any surgery or treatment? Or are you currently awaiting any? 

Applying through a specialist life insurance broker

A specialist life insurance broker will deal with lots of people that live with Kidney Disease and many other conditions on a regular basis. They will understand and provide support on getting the best policy in place. An expert adviser will know how to:

• Review your application
• Understand the information required
• Request & follow up on the correct medical reports - that may be required to ensure your application can be considered and cover arranged
• Negotiate with the underwriter to approve the application 

A broker will do the hard work, so you don’t have to. 

Life insurance brokers:

• The Insurance Surgery (mild – severe cases)
  • Broker & specialist service for people in the mild to high risk category and may offer life insurance for Transplant patients
    Website : the-insurance-surgery.co.uk
    E-mail : [email protected]
    Telephone : 0800 083 2829
• BIBA British Insurance Brokers Association (list of insurance brokers)
  • Website : biba.org.uk
    Telephone : 0344 7700 266
    E-mail : [email protected] 

NKF Caveat

Although we have a rigorous screening process, we always advise conducting your own research to make an informed decision. We do not endorse any specific provider, including the listed on this page. 

Donation Caveat

We have collaborated with a specialist insurance broker to provide you with the above information. If you choose to purchase a policy from The Insurance Surgery, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the National Kidney Federation. This contribution is provided by the company and will not result in any additional costs to you.