Rheumatoid Arthritis Life Insurance

Q: Why secure rheumatoid arthritis life insurance through Reassured?

We’re rated ‘ Excellent ’ on Trustpilot with over 80,000 reviews We compare quotes from both the UK’s leading providers and smaller specialists (through our advised team) We have an award-winning customer service team We’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Our quotes are personalised, fee-free & no-obligation We can support you through the whole application process We have a specialist impaired risk team on hand to help those applicants previously declined cover We can help find the most suitable life insurance for those with rheumatoid arthritis

Q: How does smoking affect rheumatoid arthritis life insurance?

Smoking can affect life insurance for those with rheumatoid arthritis by causing further premium increases. Smoking has been identified as a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis which can intensify symptoms or cause further health complications [1] . For this reason, if you're an active smoker and are applying for life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience a significant increase to your premiums. Smoking is also linked to many conditions that could arise as a result of rheumatoid arthritis (such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer), creating a greater risk. You’re classed as a smoker if you've used any nicotine products within the last 12 months. Quitting smoking could have a beneficial impact on your condition as well as help you to secure a cheaper policy depending on other personal circumstances.

Q: Is rheumatoid arthritis covered by critical illness?

No, rheumatoid arthritis isn’t covered under critical illness cover if the condition is pre-existing. This means you won’t be able to make a claim on your policy for this reason. It’s also likely that there will be exclusions added for any related conditions. However, if you’re diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during the term of your policy, the condition may be covered. Not all providers will cover rheumatoid arthritis within their critical illness cover and any diagnosis would need to match the definition of the insurer.

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Rheumatoid arthritis life insurance

Is it possible to get life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis?

Yes, it could be possible to secure life insurance if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

'Rheumatoid arthritis life insurance' isn't a specific cover option, it simply refers to a life insurance policy taken out by someone with the condition.

Most insurers could provide cover to applicants with rheumatoid arthritis, but you may pay a higher premium or have your eligibility affected depending on your personal circumstances.

With the help of an expert, such as Reassured, it could be possible to find life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis to help protect your loved ones.

Our knowledgeable team can identify the most suitable insurers from our panel and compare quotes to help you find the right cover to suit your needs.

We work hard to offer you our best possible deal. Simply get in touch for your free, no-obligation quotes.

Continue reading this 2025 guide to learn all about rheumatoid arthritis life insurance…

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Why secure rheumatoid arthritis life insurance through Reassured?

We’re rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot with over 80,000 reviews
We compare quotes from both the UK’s leading providers and smaller specialists (through our advised team)
We have an award-winning customer service team
We’re regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
Our quotes are personalised, fee-free & no-obligation
We can support you through the whole application process
We have a specialist impaired risk team on hand to help those applicants previously declined cover
We can help find the most suitable life insurance for those with rheumatoid arthritis

Does rheumatoid arthritis affect life insurance?

Yes, rheumatoid arthritis could affect your life insurance, depending on the severity of your condition.

As it’s usually not a fatal condition, rheumatoid arthritis life expectancy can be similar to the national average - meaning the risk to the insurer can be lower than with other pre-existing conditions.

However, your level of risk (and the effect on your life insurance) will depend on how severe your condition is and other personal circumstances.

Rheumatoid arthritis is more prevalent among women. However, you'll not pay more due to your gender.

For those with mild rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience an increase on the price you pay compared to someone without rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, in some cases, it can be possible to take out cover on standard terms (no increase to your premium due to your condition).

In some cases, you may be charged a slightly higher premium compared to someone without rheumatoid arthritis.

If your condition is more severe, you have regular flare ups and you’re on certain medications/treatments, this will have a greater impact on your life insurance.

Like any autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to other medical complications. Including (but not limited to):

Infections
Heart disease
Respiratory complications

If you’re diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during the term of your policy, your new diagnosis won’t impact your existing cover. However, if your policy expired and you required a new one, you would likely pay higher premiums due to your new condition.

It’s best to check the terms and conditions of any policy to see what’s covered. Alternatively, you can contact Reassured who can compare fee-free, no-obligation rheumatoid arthritis quotes for you.

Should I disclose that I have rheumatoid arthritis on my application?

Yes, you need to disclose that you have rheumatoid arthritis during the application process.

If your condition isn’t disclosed and you pass away through complications relating to rheumatoid arthritis, your loved ones won’t be able to make a claim on your life insurance.

If you intentionally don’t disclose a medical condition or risky lifestyle behaviour, or give false information on an application, this is classed as ‘non-disclosure’.

Non-disclosure is a type of insurance fraud and can result in future claims being rejected and the policy being terminated.

It’s not obligatory to inform your life insurance provider if you’re diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during the term of your policy.

However, this may delay pay outs to your loved ones on a claim if you pass away through related complications while insurers look into the death. Insurers have the right to investigate if you had a condition at the time of a policy’s inception.

If they can find evidence you did, it can prevent the sum assured (the pay out sum) being released to your loved ones.

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How much does rheumatoid arthritis life insurance cost?

The price you pay for life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis will depend on your personal circumstances and the policy you choose.

You’ll need to provide key information during the application process in order for insurers to calculate your monthly premium. This includes information about:

Your age
Your occupation
Your smoking status
Your weight/BMI
Length of cover
Level of cover

You’ll also be required to answer additional questions about your rheumatoid arthritis, including:

When you were diagnosed - Being a progressive disease, insurers will need to know when you were diagnosed
Number of joints affected - The more joints affected, the higher the premium. This also includes any joint deformities or rheumatoid nodules
Day-to-day life impact - If it prevents you from completing everyday tasks independently, affects your mobility, or has resulted in a disability, your premiums may be increased
Walking aids - If your rheumatoid arthritis means you require a walking stick or a wheelchair, you’d be classified as having a more severe case, with premiums reflecting this
Medication and surgery - If you’re on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, JAK inhibitors, biological treatments, or steroids to help mitigate symptoms, or have had joint replacement surgery, insurers will need to consider this in your monthly premium. If you’re due a referral, scan results or have an upcoming investigation, this may also impact your premium
Additional complications - As an autoimmune disease, those with rheumatoid arthritis are more susceptible to issues with their skin tissue and organs, including their heart, lungs, kidneys and eyes. Premiums will be higher for those with additional complications

The cost of life insurance varies between different insurers, particularly for applicants with pre-existing conditions.

That’s why comparing quotes is essential in finding affordable rheumatoid arthritis life insurance.

Types of life insurance for rheumatoid arthritis

Reassured doesn’t offer specific rheumatoid arthritis life insurance. However, we do offer 4 types of life insurance which can provide cover for applicants with rheumatoid arthritis:

	Level term life cover	Decreasing term life cover	Whole of life insurance	Over 50 life insurance
Summary	A policy which lasts for a set period and pays out a fixed amount on a successful claim	A policy which lasts for a set term and pays out on a successful claim. The pay out amount reduces over the term.	A policy which provides lifelong cover, providing your loved ones with a pay out when you pass away (not if)	A policy that offers guaranteed acceptance to UK residents aged 50 - 85. If you’ve been declined life insurance previously due to your rheumatoid arthritis and fit this criteria, then you could take out this policy
Monthly premiums	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed	Fixed
Cover length	Up to 40 years	Up to 40 years	Until you pass away	Until you pass away
Is terminal illness covered?	Yes	Yes	No	Yes (with certain insurers)
How does it benefit people with rheumatoid arthritis?	A popular option for those wanting to help protect an interest-based mortgage or other large expenses for family	A popular option for those wanting to help protect repayment mortgage	Can provide loved ones with a guaranteed inheritance on a successful claim or can be used to help cover essential costs such as mortgage repayments or funeral expenses	Useful for those with rheumatoid arthritis who’ve struggled to secure standard cover. Funds can be used to help cover funeral expenses or as an inheritance
Other information	Premium prices and terms may be impacted by your rheumatoid arthritis	Premium prices and terms may be impacted by your rheumatoid arthritis	Premium prices and terms may be impacted by your rheumatoid arthritis. This policy is on average more expensive due to providing lifetime cover	The only policy which doesn’t require medical information so rheumatoid arthritis won’t affect your cover. If you haven’t secured life insurance before the age of 50, this could be an ideal choice

Reassured can compare quotes from the UK’s leading providers, as well as smaller specialists (through our advised team), to help you find suitable life insurance options. Simply get in touch.

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How does smoking affect rheumatoid arthritis life insurance?

Smoking can affect life insurance for those with rheumatoid arthritis by causing further premium increases.

Smoking has been identified as a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis which could intensify symptoms or lead to further health complications^[1].

For this reason, if you're an active smoker and are applying for life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience a significant increase to your premiums.

Smoking is also linked to many conditions that could arise as a result of rheumatoid arthritis (such as cardiovascular disease and lung cancer), creating a greater risk.

You’re classed as a smoker if you've used any nicotine products within the last 12 months.

Quitting smoking could have a beneficial impact on your condition as well as help you to secure a cheaper policy depending on other personal circumstances.

Reassured have helped to secure cover for over 100,000 UK smokers and we also have an impaired risk team who specialise in finding some form of cover for non-standard applicants. Why not contact a friendly member of the team?

Is rheumatoid arthritis covered by critical illness?

No, rheumatoid arthritis isn’t covered under critical illness cover if the condition is pre-existing.

This means you won’t be able to make a claim on your policy for this reason. It’s also likely that there will be exclusions added for any related conditions.

However, if you’re diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis during the term of your policy, the condition may be covered.

Not all providers will cover rheumatoid arthritis within their critical illness cover and any diagnosis would need to match the definition of the insurer.

Critical illness cover provides a lump sum for those who are diagnosed with a life altering (but not terminal) illness. This can be used for carer costs and aid in rehabilitation by supplementing lost income.

The companies you can secure life insurance with critical illness cover from through Reassured that could cover rheumatoid arthritis are:

Aviva - Offer ‘Upgraded critical illness cover’ which covers rheumatoid arthritis

All information is taken from each company’s website. The information contained is subject to change by them at any time and is correct as of 19/11/24

Critical illness can be a feature included with term-based life insurance policies for an additional cost.

Standalone policies can also be purchased through some providers to run alongside a life insurance policy, but this would result in more than one monthly premium.

Why not compare life insurance with critical illness cover through Reassured?

Why get life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis?

Having a pre-existing medical condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can highlight the need to have adequate financial protection should the worst happen to you.

A life insurance could help to cover:

Your mortgage - If you're paying towards a family home, and your family were unable to afford the payments without you, it’s worth considering life insurance. This can also be applicable with other forms of accommodation.

Your family’s additional expenses - If your family rely on your income for utilities, council tax or day-to-day life expenses, life insurance can be beneficial in helping to supplement your lost income if you pass away. This can also be used to help cover food, travel, and additional debts.

Childcare expenses - If you've young children, nursery costs, school supplies and clothing are all essentials which would need to be covered if you pass away. Older children may also require additional support until they’re financially secure. Life insurance can help to cover these expenses.

Additional health complications - If you've rheumatoid arthritis, you may be more susceptible to other medical conditions. Life insurance can provide peace of mind knowing that if your health deteriorates and you pass away due to any reason, your family are protected.

Your partner - Whether you’ve recently got married, entered a civil partnership, or divorced, you may want to purchase a life insurance policy which can help secure your new family’s future.

Funeral costs - Life insurance can help to prevent your family from being faced with an unaffordable bill for your funeral. It may also take away some financial stress during a grieving period.

Whether you know the reason you require life insurance or even if you’re still unsure, our friendly team can talk through your needs to provide you with personalised quotes.

Rheumatoid arthritis life insurance underwriting

For those with rheumatoid arthritis who want to secure life insurance, you will be asked specific questions to determine how much of an impact your rheumatoid arthritis has on your daily life. This includes:

When were you diagnosed?
Do you require a walking aid/wheelchair?
How many of your joints are affected?
Where in your body is affected and what are the symptoms?
Have you taken any medication for rheumatoid arthritis in the last 12 months?
Have you had or are you awaiting any joint replacement surgery?
Are you awaiting any other hospital tests or results?
Have you undertaken any additional treatment to combat your rheumatoid arthritis?
Has your rheumatoid arthritis caused any additional physical complications?
Does it stop you/impact your ability to work?

Rheumatoid arthritis support groups UK

Around 450,000 UK adults have a recorded diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis^[2].

It’s not clear what exactly triggers rheumatoid arthritis, but you may be more susceptible if you've a family history, or if you’re a smoker.

While there’s no cure, there are treatments which can relieve some symptoms, and support networks which can help. The UK organisations which could help include: