Life Insurance and Arthritis
Life Insurance and Arthritis: What Insurers Really Look For
Arthritis is a broad term used to describe inflammation or degeneration within the joints. For many people, it affects mobility, comfort, and daily function. When applying for life insurance, it can also raise questions about cost and eligibility.
The reassuring news is that Arthritis does not usually prevent you from securing life insurance. However, premiums will usually be higher than for someone without the condition. What determines the cost is not simply the type of arthritis you have — but how it affects you.
At Your Life Protected, we regularly support clients with both degenerative and autoimmune forms of Arthritis. Understanding how insurers assess the condition is key to securing fair and competitive terms.
Common Types of Arthritis
While insurers assess similar core factors across all types, it’s helpful to understand the differences between the main forms.
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis, often linked to age, joint wear and tear, or previous injury. It typically affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, or spine.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
An autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks joint tissue, leading to inflammation and potential joint damage. It can also have systemic (whole-body) effects in more severe cases.
Psoriatic Arthritis
An inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. It can affect both joints and skin, and severity varies widely.
Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)
A form of inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints. In more advanced cases, it can reduce spinal flexibility.
What Insurers Consider When Assessing Arthritis
Regardless of the specific type, insurers generally assess the same core factors during underwriting.
Number of Joints Affected
The extent of joint involvement is important. Single-joint arthritis is viewed more favourably than widespread inflammatory disease.
Impact on Daily Life
Underwriters want to understand functional impact, including ability to work, mobility restrictions, need for assistance, and any long-term disability. Minimal impact on daily life typically results in more favourable terms.
Disease Severity and Stability
Insurers consider frequency of flare-ups, progression over time, evidence of structural damage, and whether the condition is stable or active.
Complications
Particularly with autoimmune types, insurers assess whether there is any systemic involvement, such as cardiovascular complications, lung involvement, eye inflammation, or long-term steroid-related effects.
Treatment History
Treatment provides insight into severity. Insurers look at use of pain relief, DMARDs, biologics or Anti-TNF therapies, and long-term steroid use. These help indicate how active or advanced the condition may be.
How Arthritis Can Affect Different Types of Protection
Life Insurance
Life cover is typically available across most forms of arthritis. Premiums increase based on severity, systemic involvement, and functional impact.
Critical Illness Cover
Critical Illness policies may involve exclusions or increased premiums. Underwriting differences between insurers can be more noticeable here.
Income Protection
Income Protection is often the most sensitive product for musculoskeletal conditions. Insurers assess occupation, time off work, functional limitations, and future incapacity risk. With this type of product there will almost certainly be exclusions applied.
Why Specialist Advice Matters
With arthritis, small differences in medical detail can significantly affect underwriting outcomes. Identifying insurers most likely to take a balanced view is crucial and that’s where Your Life Protected can help. Speak with an Adviser today.