Can I get life insurance after a heart attack?

It’s easy for life to leave you unprepared, especially where health issues are concerned. Having a heart attack is one of the scariest things that can happen to someone and is often a complete surprise. If the worst happens and you’re not insured, you may think it’s too late to get a life insurance policy.

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about getting a life insurance policy after having a heart attack, including how a heart condition is defined, what you’ll need when applying and the different types of insurance offerings available.

Read on or skip to a specific section below:

• What is considered a ‘heart condition’ in insurance?
• Can I still get life insurance after a heart attack?
• What to ask yourself if you’re buying life insurance
• What else could the insurer ask?
• Types of life insurance
• How can I get life insurance?

What is considered a ‘heart condition’ in insurance?

Heart attacks are one of the main reasons for health and life insurance claims in the UK. While you may know generally what a heart condition is, insurance companies have specific criteria that points to what a heart condition can entail. This includes:

• Heart disease, including heart attacks and angina
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Heart bypass surgery

If you have any of these pre-existing conditions, it’s common to be concerned that you may not qualify for any type of life insurance, but the truth is there are plenty of variables.

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See also: Can I get life insurance with a pre-existing condition?

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Can I still get life insurance after a heart attack?

The short answer is: yes, but you may have to shop around. Thousands of people take out life insurance after experiencing some form of heart difficulties in the past, though there are some caveats you need to be aware of, and you should be prepared for some insurers rejecting you outright.

Existing conditions will always be a factor when applying for some type of health or life insurance, and it’s the same for those suffering from heart problems. These will depend on what provider you choose, but generally, you may have to settle with a capped policy or may have to pay a higher premium.

Just like other types of insurance-related health, insurers will want to look into your lifestyle and personal circumstances, including your age, weight, overall health and whether you smoke or not.

How long it’s been since your heart attack is also a big factor that insurers will consider, with the majority of insurance providers requiring you to wait at least 6 months before you can apply for a policy.

What to ask yourself if you’re buying life insurance after a heart attack

Before you begin searching for a life insurance policy after a heart attack, there are a number of questions you need to ask yourself and answers to record. These are very similar to what you’ll be asked by an insurer, and doing so early can save you some time. Having this information from the start will also help you to identify the type of policy you need:

• When did your heart attack occur?
• What treatment did you receive?
• What heart medication do you currently take?
• What heart condition diagnoses do you have?
• What’s your most recent blood pressure as recorded by your doctor?

What else could the insurer ask?

Along with questions about your medical history, your potential insurer will also ask about your family’s records. For example, if your family has a history of heart problems or other issues (cancer, diabetes etc.) these will also be considered when creating your policy.

While this is unlikely to block you outright from being sold life insurance, you might be asked to pay a higher premium than others if your family has a history of heart conditions.

Finally, there are other types of personal info that are unrelated to health (which are standard for getting insurance), including income, job/employment history, driving record and criminal record.

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See also: What is accident only income protection insurance?

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Types of life insurance

While many people think of life insurance as just one thing, there are actually many types, making your search a bit easier if you’re finding it hard to find a policy that’s right for you:

• Level term life insurance – A policy that’s valid for a specific period of time, rather than being ongoing.
• Decreasing term life insurance –  Decreasing term life insurance is for those whose financial commitments decrease over time, such as a mortgage, with any payout going down the longer you’re on the policy
• Whole of life insurance – This policy offers a guaranteed payout, regardless of when you die.
• Joint life insurance – This is a combined policy that covers both you and your partner in the event of death, and pays out once.
• Over 50s life insurance – Similar to a ‘whole of’ life policy, but only for people over 50.

How can I get life insurance?

We’ve partnered with Pulse to get life insurance into the hands of those who need it the most. Pulse are specialists in offering insurance to people who have pre-existing conditions, including heart problems, meaning you can be catered for specifically.

As well as Pulse, there are a number of other providers offering a similar level of coverage. However, when shopping around, the sheer amount of policies and providers can easily be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to narrow your search and find what works for you:

• Compare, compare, compare – Of course the main rule of shopping for insurance is to compare every policy you come across to what the wider market is offering. You can do this manually or use a comparison site, but be aware that some providers only offer policies when you go to them directly.
• Ask your doctor to log your progress – If your health has improved since your heart attack, asking your doctor for evidence will be helpful when applying for a policy and getting a good rate.
• Guaranteed acceptance policies – You may want to look into policies where you’re guaranteed to be accepted, regardless of your situation. These are often more expensive than other products but could be an option if required.