Arthritis Life Insurance
If you are looking to obtain life insurance and you suffer from Arthritis, you may find that companies will class you as “higher risk” and increase your premium accordingly. The impact will vary depending on the type of Arthritis you have and the severity of your condition, so it’s important to ensure that you know all the facts when obtaining a quote.
What Is Arthritis
Arthritis is a common condition that affects the joints causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. It is estimated that 10 million people in the UK are affected, making it a condition of extreme importance in healthcare. There are several different types of arthritis, the two most common being Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Each has a different cause and in turn a different range of symptoms.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that many people refer to as ‘wear and tear’ of the joint. It is by far the most common type of Arthritis and results from a gradual breakdown of the cartilage within the joint that normally prevents bones from rubbing together. As the amount of cartilage in the joint gradually becomes less and less, the bones are free to rub against each other more and more causing symptoms of pain and reduced mobility. Typically it effects people over the age of 50, however is can occur at any age, particularly after sustaining a joint injury.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect people of all ages, but is most commonly affects women in their 40’s and 50’s. It is a result of the body’s own immune system attacking the joints, for reasons we fail to fully understand. As the immune system goes about breaking down the joints it causes symptoms of pain and inflammation that are often worst first thing in the morning. It is important that this condition is treated early to prevent permanent joint deformity. It is possible to get specialist Rheumatoid Arthritis Life Insurance.
Diagnosis
Both types of arthritis can be diagnosed by the GP who will ask various questions and perform routine examination of the effected joint(s). In addition they may send patients for blood tests and X-rays to confirm not only the diagnosis, but also the extent of the disease.
Treatment
Treatment of arthritis depends largely on which type of arthritis an individual is suffering with. Rheumatoid Arthritis requires aggressive early treatment with medications that target the immune system and prevent further destruction to effected joints. Osteoarthritis on the other hand, is treated more conservatively, initially with simple painkillers and regular physiotherapy. As disease progresses, more potent painkillers and steroid joint injections are introduced.
In both diseases, if severe enough, the individual may be offered joint surgery in the form of knee, hip and shoulder replacements for Osteoarthritis and joint reconstruction for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Life Insurance with Arthritis
There are several questions that you can expect to be asked when it comes to Arthritis Life Insurance. We have detailed them below so that you can be prepared with all of the relevant information to make the process easier:
- What type of Arthritis do you have? E.g. Rheumatoid, Psoriatic, Osteoarthritis etc…
- Are you awaiting any surgery?
- Have you had any surgery?
- How often do you experience symptoms?
- What medication are you taking?
- Does the condition limit your ability to carry out daily activities?
It can be challenging to find low cost life insurance if you are suffering from Arthritis, but knowing where to look can save time and money. Your Life Protected work with the UK’s leading and specialist life insurers meaning we have access to a huge range of Arthritis life insurance policies. We understand the underwriting procedures of each of the companies and can easily identify the provider best placed to offer low cost life insurance for your individual needs.
To find out more about life insurance with Arthritis or to get a quote, call us on 01275 404268 or fill in our online Get a Quote form.
Proud to support Arthritis Action
- I've been refused Life Insurance previously, can you help?
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Many clients we help have been refused Life Insurance elsewhere. There are several companies who will refuse cover if your Arthritis is considered ‘Severe’, or you take certain medications, so knowing where to look is half the battle, our experts will asses your situation and help track down a provider that can help.
- How much will my Arthritis affect my premium?
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This will very much depend on the impact the condition has on your lifestyle and the type of medication you take. For milder cases, often there will be no change, whereas in some cases your premium may double. To find out what options are available, get in touch and one of our advisers will let you know the best options.
- Can I get Critical Illness Cover if I have Arthritis?
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In most cases the answer is yes. Many insurers will refuse cover if you have more severe Arthritis and use certain medications, but in many cases we are able to secure this type of cover for Arthritis sufferers.
- How much will my Life Insurance cost because of my Arthritis?
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When Life Insurance providers increase premiums because of medical conditions, they typically use a percentage increase to factor in additional mortality risk. In many ‘well controlled’ Arthritic cases your premium may increase by around 50%. So, if your original quote was say £10 per month, you’d end up paying £15. Obviously, each case is different, so the best way to get a quote is to speak with one of our advisers.
- My Arthritis has improved, can I reduce my Life Insurance premiums?
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As many people living with Arthritis know, symptoms can vary in severity over time (certainly in the early years). If you took out a policy when your Arthritis was not particularly well controlled, there may well be a chance of reducing monthly premiums.
