Life insurance with coeliac disease
Coeliac disease is one of the most straightforward medical conditions to insure. If you are following a gluten-free diet and managing the condition well, you should expect standard rates from the vast majority of insurers. This page explains what insurers look for and the few situations where it might be slightly more complex.
The short answer
Coeliac disease is almost always insurable at standard rates. If your diagnosis is confirmed (typically by biopsy or blood test), you are adherent to a gluten-free diet, and you have no significant complications such as osteoporosis or refractory coeliac disease, insurers will treat you the same as someone without the condition. This is one of the easiest medical conditions to insure.
What insurers ask about coeliac disease
The questions are straightforward, and for most people, the answers lead directly to standard terms.
Has the diagnosis been confirmed?
Insurers want to know that coeliac disease has been properly diagnosed, typically through a blood test (tTG antibodies) and/or small bowel biopsy. A confirmed diagnosis is actually viewed positively because it means you know what the condition is and can manage it. Self-diagnosis or suspicion without confirmation may raise more questions.
Are you following a gluten-free diet?
Adherence to a gluten-free diet is the single most important factor. Coeliac disease managed with a strict gluten-free diet has an excellent long-term prognosis and presents minimal additional risk to insurers. Non-adherence raises concerns about potential complications.
Any complications from coeliac disease?
Uncomplicated coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet is assessed at standard rates. Complications that may affect underwriting include osteoporosis or osteopenia (from historical malabsorption), persistent nutritional deficiencies (iron, B12, folate), dermatitis herpetiformis, or very rarely, refractory coeliac disease.
When were you diagnosed?
The timing of diagnosis matters less than with most conditions. Whether you were diagnosed as a child or last year, the key factor is current management and the absence of complications.
Coeliac disease? This should be simple.
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Get QuoteWhen coeliac disease might affect premiums
For the vast majority of people with coeliac disease, premiums are unaffected. However, there are a few specific situations where the underwriting may be slightly more involved.
Osteoporosis or osteopenia
Long-standing coeliac disease, particularly if diagnosed late, can lead to reduced bone density from years of calcium and vitamin D malabsorption. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, this may attract a separate minor loading independently of the coeliac disease. Osteopenia (the milder precursor) typically has no impact.
Persistent nutritional deficiencies
If you have ongoing iron deficiency anaemia, B12 deficiency, or folate deficiency despite following a gluten-free diet, this may prompt further questions. In most cases it does not lead to a loading, but the insurer may request a GP report to understand the cause and severity.
Refractory coeliac disease
Refractory coeliac disease, where the gut does not heal despite a strict gluten-free diet, is rare but is assessed more seriously. This may attract a moderate loading and will require more detailed medical information. If you have refractory coeliac disease, a specialist broker can identify which insurers are most experienced with this.
Associated autoimmune conditions
Coeliac disease is associated with other autoimmune conditions including Type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, and dermatitis herpetiformis. If you have one or more of these alongside coeliac disease, each condition is assessed on its own merits. The coeliac disease itself is unlikely to add any loading.
The honest answer
Coeliac disease is genuinely one of the easiest conditions to insure. If you are following a gluten-free diet and have no significant complications, you should get standard rates. Do not let this condition put you off applying. The process should be straightforward and the outcome predictable. The only people who may face any additional complexity are those with refractory coeliac disease or significant associated conditions, and even then, cover is available.
Critical illness and income protection
Critical illness cover is generally available at standard or near-standard rates for people with coeliac disease. Since coeliac disease itself is not a listed critical illness condition, and it does not significantly increase the risk of the conditions that are listed, the impact is minimal.
Income protection is similarly straightforward. Coeliac disease managed on a gluten-free diet rarely causes significant time off work, so insurers typically offer standard terms without exclusions.
Put your policy in trust
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to declare coeliac disease on a life insurance application?
Yes, you must declare all diagnosed medical conditions. However, declaring coeliac disease should not worry you. It is one of the conditions that insurers handle most routinely, and for the vast majority of people it has no impact on premiums whatsoever.
Will I pay more for life insurance because of coeliac disease?
Almost certainly not. If you are managing the condition with a gluten-free diet and have no significant complications, you should receive standard rates. This is one of the few conditions where we can say with confidence that it typically has zero impact on premiums.
I was only recently diagnosed. Should I wait before applying?
There is no need to wait. A recent diagnosis of coeliac disease with good dietary management is viewed just as favourably as a longstanding diagnosis. Apply whenever you need the cover.
Does coeliac disease affect life insurance for a mortgage?
No. Coeliac disease should not prevent you from getting mortgage protection life insurance or increase its cost. If a lender requires life insurance, your coeliac disease should not be a complicating factor.
Get your coeliac disease life insurance sorted
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