Can I Get Life Insurance with Crohn's Disease?
Yes — Crohn’s disease is insurable by most UK life insurers. Like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and insurers have significant experience assessing it. Those with mild or moderate Crohn’s that is in remission can often obtain cover at standard or near-standard rates.
The outcome depends heavily on the current disease activity, the medications being used, any surgical history, and the presence of complications such as fistulae or strictures.
How Does Crohn's Disease Affect My Premium?
The premium impact is driven by:
- Current disease activity: Sustained remission is the most favourable scenario. Active disease may result in postponement until remission is achieved
- Medication: Mesalazine and azathioprine attract modest or no loading. Biological therapies (e.g. adalimumab, infliximab) indicate more severe disease and may attract a higher loading
- Surgical history: Bowel resection surgery and the extent of bowel remaining affects underwriting
- Complications: Fistulae, abscesses, or strictures may attract additional loading
- Associated conditions: Crohn’s alongside liver disease, arthritis, or anaemia attracts a combined assessment
What Information Will the Insurer Ask For?
Insurers will typically ask:
- When were you first diagnosed and where in your GI tract is the disease?
- What is your current disease activity — remission or active?
- What medication are you currently taking?
- Have you had any surgery related to Crohn’s?
- Have you had any hospitalisations?
- Are there any complications such as fistulae or strictures?
- When did you last see a gastroenterologist?
Which Insurers Are Most Competitive?
Most major UK insurers have experience with Crohn's disease and take a nuanced approach based on disease activity, medication, and surgical history. Legal & General, Aviva and Royal London are generally competitive for well-managed Crohn's.
The most competitive insurer for your specific profile can only be identified by comparing the whole market. Premiums vary significantly — sometimes by 30–40% — for the same applicant across different providers.
Can I Also Get Critical Illness Cover and Income Protection?
Critical illness cover is generally available for Crohn’s applicants, with Crohn’s itself not being a covered CIC condition. A loading may apply for more severe cases.
Income protection is available for most Crohn’s applicants, though a gastrointestinal or IBD exclusion may apply. Cover for all other causes of incapacity remains. Those in sustained remission may be able to obtain cover without a GI exclusion from some insurers.
Tips for Applying with Crohn's Disease
- Be fully transparent: Always disclose your full medical history. Non-disclosure is the most common reason for a declined claim — and insurers check medical records at the point of claim.
- Use a whole-of-market adviser: They know which insurers are most favourable for your condition and can submit your application to get the best available terms.
- Apply when well-controlled: If your condition is managed with medication, applying when your condition is stable and well-controlled gives the best chance of favourable terms.
- Don't self-reject: Many people assume they cannot get cover or will pay extortionate premiums. In the majority of cases, cover is available at reasonable cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Crohn’s disease in sustained remission typically attracts standard or near-standard rates from most UK insurers. Active or more severe Crohn’s may attract a premium loading depending on medication and complications. A whole-of-market adviser identifies the insurer most favourable for your specific Crohn’s history.
Biological therapies for Crohn’s indicate moderate-to-severe disease and typically result in a modest premium loading. This reflects the disease severity rather than the medication per se. Those who are in sustained remission on biologics, with no complications or hospitalisations, may still obtain relatively competitive rates from the most favourable UK insurers.