Can I get cover for pre-existing conditions?
If you have a medical condition before taking out private health insurance, it is natural to ask whether you can still be covered. The short answer is sometimes yes, but it depends on how the insurer underwrites your application and the details of your health history.
Private health insurance providers need to assess the risk of future claims before offering cover. When an applicant has a pre-existing condition, this assessment influences whether the condition is covered, partially covered, or excluded altogether. With the right guidance, many people with existing health issues can still find suitable protection.
A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, symptom, or medical concern that you experienced, were diagnosed with, treated for, or sought advice about before the policy start date. This includes both ongoing conditions and past issues that may still affect your health.
Examples might include:
The more detail you provide when completing your health declaration, the clearer the underwriting outcome will be.
How a condition is treated in your policy depends on the type of underwriting used:
Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)
You disclose your complete medical history. The insurer reviews this and decides whether to include, exclude, or charge extra for specific conditions. Often, conditions can be accepted with an exclusion clause, meaning you’re covered for unrelated illnesses but not the excluded condition.
Moratorium Underwriting
You do not provide a full history upfront. Conditions that have not required treatment or advice for a set period (often two years) may become covered after that time. Recent or ongoing conditions may be excluded until symptom-free and treatment-free for the moratorium period.
Different insurers use different definitions and timeframes, so the outcome can vary.
It is crucial to answer all health questions honestly when applying. Failure to disclose relevant details can lead to claims being denied or your policy being invalidated. Providing accurate information upfront gives the best chance of a fair underwrite and avoids issues if you need to claim.
Navigating pre-existing conditions and underwriting choices can be confusing. Different insurers treat conditions in different ways, and policies vary in terms and exclusions. Coversure Health advisers can make a real difference by:
Explaining how different underwriting methods work
Helping you complete your health declaration accurately
Comparing insurers to find the best chance of acceptance
Clarifying what will and will not be covered
This tailored approach ensures you get the right level of protection for your health needs and budget.
Get Personalised Guidance
If you have one or more medical conditions and are wondering whether you can get cover, speak to Coversure Health today for personalised advice.
Our experts can assess your situation and help you secure suitable private health insurance that fits your circumstances. Request a free quote or contact an adviser now to get started.
