What counts as a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition is any health issue you had before taking out the policy — including conditions you've had treatment for, been prescribed medication for, or received advice about. This includes both physical and mental health conditions.
See cover from Aviva, L&G, Vitality, Royal London, Zurich and more — side by side, your exact profile.
Get a Free Quote →How insurers handle pre-existing conditions
There are three common approaches:
- Full medical underwriting — you disclose everything upfront. The insurer assesses your history and either accepts at standard rates, applies a premium loading, or excludes specific conditions. You know exactly where you stand from day one.
- Moratorium underwriting — no medical questions asked. Instead, any condition you've had in the past 5 years is automatically excluded for the first 2 years of the policy. After 2 years symptom-free, the condition is usually covered.
- Guaranteed acceptance — rare for IP, and usually comes with significant restrictions.
Common excluded conditions
Back problems, mental health conditions, and musculoskeletal issues are among the most commonly excluded conditions — not because insurers dislike them, but because they are so frequently claimed and the insurer needs to assess the risk carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — but back problems are commonly excluded or subject to a loading. An independent broker can find insurers most sympathetic to back conditions.
Moratorium underwriting automatically excludes conditions you've had symptoms or treatment for in the past 5 years, for the first 2 years of the policy. After 2 symptom-free years, cover for that condition kicks in.