Life insurance with CFS / ME
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a serious, long-term condition that causes profound fatigue and a range of other debilitating symptoms. We understand that living with CFS/ME is genuinely difficult, and we approach every enquiry with the sensitivity this condition deserves. The good news is that life insurance is usually achievable. Income protection is a different matter.
The short answer
Life insurance with CFS/ME is usually possible with a minor to moderate loading. CFS/ME is not currently understood to significantly reduce life expectancy, which means life cover is the easier product to obtain. Income protection is extremely difficult - most insurers will exclude CFS/ME-related claims or decline outright. The key factors insurers assess are severity, impact on work and daily life, duration, any treatment, and whether there is a comorbid mental health condition.
CFS/ME is a real, physical condition that can be profoundly disabling. We recognise that the insurance industry has not always handled this condition well, and that the experience of applying for insurance with CFS/ME can feel dismissive or frustrating. We take this condition seriously and will always treat you with respect and honesty about your options.
What insurers actually ask about CFS / ME
When you apply for life insurance with CFS/ME, insurers will ask detailed questions about how the condition affects you. These questions focus on severity and functional impact rather than the diagnosis itself.
When were you diagnosed?
A longer history of managed CFS/ME is generally viewed more favourably than a recent diagnosis. Insurers want to see that your condition has been assessed, the trajectory is understood, and you are managing within your limitations.
How severe is your condition?
Severity varies enormously in CFS/ME - from mild (reduced activity but still functioning) to very severe (bed-bound). Insurers assess this primarily through your ability to work and carry out daily activities. Mild to moderate severity is most insurable.
Can you work? If so, full-time or part-time?
Your work status is one of the clearest indicators insurers use. Working full-time suggests mild disease. Working part-time or with adjustments suggests moderate. Unable to work suggests severe. Each level affects the assessment differently.
What treatment or management strategies are you using?
Pacing, specialist fatigue management programmes, and symptom management all indicate you are actively managing the condition. Insurers view active management positively. Specific medications for symptom control (sleep, pain, mood) are also noted.
Do you have any associated mental health conditions?
Depression and anxiety are common alongside CFS/ME. As with fibromyalgia, these are assessed alongside the primary condition and may result in an additional loading. It is important to be transparent about any mental health treatment.
How long have you had the condition?
CFS/ME can fluctuate over time. Some people improve, some remain stable, some worsen. A long period of stable or improving symptoms is viewed more favourably than a deteriorating trajectory.
We understand this condition
Tell us how CFS/ME affects your daily life and our specialist brokers will give you an honest, sensitive assessment of your insurance options. No judgement, no dismissiveness.
Get QuoteHow severity affects your life insurance options
CFS/ME is not currently understood to significantly reduce life expectancy, which is why life insurance loadings are generally lower than you might expect. The loadings that do apply reflect the uncertainty of the condition and any associated comorbidities.
Mild CFS/ME
Standard to minor loading
Reduced activity level but still able to work full-time or near-full-time. Managing with pacing and lifestyle adjustments. No significant mental health comorbidity. Most mainstream insurers will offer life cover at standard rates or with a minor loading of up to 25%.
Moderate CFS/ME
Minor to moderate loading
Significantly reduced activity. May be working part-time or unable to work. Needing to rest for extended periods during the day. Some associated anxiety or depression. Loadings of 25-75% are typical. Several mainstream insurers will still offer terms at this level.
Severe CFS/ME
Moderate to significant loading or postponement
Largely housebound or bed-bound. Unable to work. Significant functional limitation. May have associated moderate to severe depression. Life insurance is still possible from some insurers, but loadings of 75-150% may apply. Some insurers may postpone pending any improvement. Insurer selection is crucial at this severity level.
Realistic pricing examples
These are illustrative examples for life insurance. Actual premiums depend on your full health profile and circumstances.
| Profile | Cover | Indicative monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| 34-year-old non-smoker, mild CFS/ME, working full-time with pacing, no mental health condition | 200,000 level term, 25 years | 9-14/month |
| 40-year-old non-smoker, moderate CFS/ME, working part-time, mild anxiety on sertraline | 200,000 level term, 20 years | 16-28/month |
| 45-year-old non-smoker, moderate-severe CFS/ME, not working, moderate depression | 150,000 level term, 15 years | 25-50/month |
These are indicative figures based on typical market rates. They are not quotes. Actual premiums may be higher or lower depending on your full circumstances and the insurer selected.
The honest answer
CFS/ME and fibromyalgia occupy a similar space in insurance underwriting. Life insurance is usually achievable, and the loadings are often surprisingly modest because the condition is not currently associated with significantly reduced life expectancy. The real pain point is income protection. CFS/ME is one of the most common causes of long-term inability to work, and insurers know this. Most will exclude CFS/ME-related claims or decline income protection entirely. This is frustrating and we understand why. We will always be straight with you about what is and is not achievable, and explore every available option before concluding that a product is not available to you.
Income protection with CFS / ME
Income protection is the most difficult insurance product to obtain with CFS/ME. The condition can cause prolonged inability to work, and insurers view this as a high-probability claim risk.
Most likely outcome: exclusion or decline
The most common outcomes for income protection with CFS/ME are either an exclusion for CFS/ME-related claims (the policy covers you for everything else) or an outright decline. This is the case with the majority of insurers in the UK market.
Short-term income protection
Short-term income protection (paying out for 1-2 years) is slightly easier to obtain than long-term income protection. Some insurers may offer short-term cover with a CFS/ME exclusion but accept a longer-term product would be too risky.
Employer group schemes
If your employer offers group income protection, this may provide cover without individual medical underwriting. Check with your HR department - this could be the most practical route to income protection cover.
Existing policies
If you had income protection in place before your CFS/ME diagnosis, it will usually continue to cover you - including for CFS/ME-related claims. This is one of the strongest arguments for getting income protection in place while you are healthy.
Critical illness cover and CFS / ME
CFS/ME is not a listed condition on critical illness policies, so it would not trigger a payout on its own. As with fibromyalgia, this means critical illness cover is generally available with a loading. The loading reflects any associated mental health conditions and general health uncertainty rather than the CFS/ME itself.
Critical illness cover with CFS/ME is usually easier to obtain than income protection and is worth considering as part of your overall protection plan.
Living with CFS/ME and need insurance?
Our specialist brokers will be straight with you about what is achievable and explore every option. A 5-minute call gives you clarity on your situation.
Get QuotePut your policy in trust
Whatever your health situation, every life insurance policy should be written in trust. Without a trust, the payout enters your estate and may face 40% inheritance tax and months of probate delays. Writing your policy in trust is free and takes 2 minutes. Our partner brokers set it up on every policy.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
Does CFS/ME affect life expectancy?
Current medical evidence does not indicate that CFS/ME significantly reduces life expectancy. This is the primary reason why life insurance is usually available. Insurers are most concerned with mortality risk, and CFS/ME does not carry the same mortality implications as conditions like heart disease or cancer. The loadings applied reflect uncertainty and associated comorbidities rather than a direct life expectancy reduction.
I also have fibromyalgia alongside CFS/ME. How does that affect my application?
CFS/ME and fibromyalgia frequently overlap. Having both conditions is common and insurers are familiar with this combination. The combined assessment may result in a slightly higher loading than either condition alone, but it does not typically lead to a decline for life insurance. For income protection, having both conditions makes an already difficult situation harder.
My CFS/ME has improved - will this help my application?
Yes. If you can demonstrate improvement - for example, you have returned to work after a period of absence, or your functional level has increased - this is viewed positively by insurers. A period of sustained improvement (typically 6-12 months) is the most compelling evidence. If you previously applied and were declined or heavily loaded, it is worth reapplying after a period of improvement.
Will insurers take my condition seriously?
The insurance industry has historically been inconsistent in how it treats CFS/ME. However, most major UK insurers now recognise CFS/ME as a legitimate medical condition and have established underwriting guidelines for it. A specialist broker will ensure your application is handled by insurers who treat the condition appropriately and will advocate on your behalf if any issues arise.
Should I wait until I am feeling better before applying for life insurance?
If your condition is stable and you are managing within your limitations, there is no reason to delay. Applying while stable ensures you have cover in place. If you are in the midst of a significant deterioration, waiting for stability may result in a better assessment. However, waiting also means a period without cover. A broker can advise on timing for your specific situation.
Can I get life insurance for a mortgage with CFS/ME?
Yes. Mortgage life insurance (decreasing term cover) is available with CFS/ME. If your lender requires life insurance, having CFS/ME does not prevent you from meeting this requirement. The premiums will reflect any loading applied, but the cover works in exactly the same way as for anyone else.
Get honest advice on CFS/ME life insurance
Tell us how your condition affects you day to day. Our specialist brokers will give you a clear, sensitive assessment of your options and find the insurer best suited to your situation.
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