Life insurance with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) - whether Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis - is usually insurable. The severity spectrum is wide, and insurers assess it accordingly. Mild IBD managed with standard medication can attract near-standard rates. Severe disease requiring biologics or surgery means higher premiums, but cover is still available.
The short answer
Most people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can get life insurance. The key factors are how frequently you flare, whether you have been hospitalised, what medication you are on, and whether you have had surgery. Mild IBD on mesalazine or similar 5-ASAs typically attracts near-standard rates. Moderate disease on immunosuppressants like azathioprine means a minor to moderate loading. Severe disease on biologics or with a history of surgery means a moderate loading, but cover is still widely available.
What insurers ask about Crohn's and colitis
Insurers assess IBD based on how active your disease is and how it is being managed. Having these details to hand when you apply speeds up the process and ensures accurate terms.
When were you diagnosed?
A longer history with stable management is viewed favourably. Recent diagnosis (under 12 months) may result in a short postponement while the condition stabilises and treatment is established.
How frequently do you have flare-ups?
Flare frequency is a key indicator of disease severity. Rare flares (one or fewer per year) are viewed very differently from frequent flares (three or more per year). The time since your last flare also matters - the longer the period of remission, the better.
What medication are you currently taking?
5-ASAs (mesalazine, sulfasalazine) indicate mild disease. Immunosuppressants (azathioprine, mercaptopurine, methotrexate) indicate moderate disease. Biologics (infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab) indicate moderate to severe disease. Each step up in treatment increases the loading.
Have you had any surgery related to your IBD?
Bowel resections, stricturoplasty, or fistula surgery indicate more severe disease. However, ulcerative colitis treated with a colectomy (removal of the colon) can actually improve insurance terms, as the diseased organ has been removed and the risk of colorectal cancer is eliminated.
Have you been hospitalised for your IBD?
Hospitalisations for flares, bowel obstruction, or complications indicate more severe disease and increase the loading. The number and recency of admissions both matter.
Do you have a stoma?
A stoma (ileostomy or colostomy) does not prevent you from getting life insurance. Insurers assess the underlying disease severity rather than the stoma itself. A well-functioning permanent ileostomy after a colectomy for UC may actually be viewed positively as definitive treatment.
Know your medication and flare history
If you can share your current medication, how often you flare, and when your last flare was, our specialist brokers can give you an accurate picture quickly.
Get QuoteHow IBD severity affects your premiums
Insurers assess IBD on a clear severity spectrum. Where you sit on this spectrum determines your premium loading.
Mild IBD
Standard to minor loading
Diet-managed or on 5-ASAs (mesalazine) only. Rare flares - one or fewer per year. No hospitalisations, no surgery. In stable remission. Most mainstream insurers will offer terms at standard rates or with a minor loading of up to 50%.
Moderate IBD
Minor to moderate loading
On immunosuppressants such as azathioprine or mercaptopurine. Occasional flares (one to two per year). May have had one or two hospitalisations. Typically attracts a loading of 50-100% above standard rates. Cover available from most mainstream insurers.
Severe IBD
Moderate loading
On biologics (infliximab, adalimumab, vedolizumab, ustekinumab). Frequent flares, multiple hospitalisations, or history of surgery (bowel resection, fistula repair). Typically attracts a loading of 75-150%. Cover available from multiple insurers, though insurer selection matters more at this level.
Very severe / active complications
Significant loading or postponement
Ongoing active disease not responding to treatment, recent emergency surgery, active fistulae, or short bowel syndrome. May be postponed until disease is better controlled. If currently in a flare, most insurers will ask you to reapply once in remission.
Crohn's disease vs ulcerative colitis: does it matter?
Both conditions are assessed primarily on severity rather than diagnosis, but there are some differences in how insurers view them.
Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon, which means a colectomy can be curative. Insurers recognise this: UC treated with a colectomy may attract improved terms compared to ongoing active disease. The risk of colorectal cancer is also removed, which is a positive factor for underwriting.
Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and is not cured by surgery. Perianal disease, fistulae, and strictures are complications specific to Crohn's that can increase the loading. However, mild Crohn's confined to a small area with infrequent flares is still viewed favourably.
Indeterminate colitis (where the diagnosis is not clearly Crohn's or UC) is generally assessed based on the actual disease behaviour and treatment, rather than the label.
The honest answer
IBD is genuinely one of the more insurable chronic conditions. If you have mild to moderate Crohn's or colitis on standard medication, you should expect to get life insurance without enormous difficulty. The premiums will be higher than someone without IBD, but they are manageable. Even severe IBD on biologics is insurable - it just costs more and requires the right insurer. The main challenge is not whether you can get cover, but getting the best price. Different insurers view IBD very differently, and the gap between the cheapest and most expensive offer can be significant. That is where a specialist broker earns their keep.
Critical illness cover with IBD
Critical illness cover with Crohn's or colitis is available, but almost always comes with an IBD-related exclusion. This means the policy will not pay out for conditions directly caused by your IBD - for example, bowel cancer arising from longstanding colitis would typically be excluded.
The policy would still cover heart attack, stroke, and other specified critical illnesses unrelated to your IBD. Whether a critical illness policy with an IBD exclusion is worth having depends on your priorities. For many people it still provides meaningful protection.
Income protection with IBD
Income protection is generally available with IBD, though an IBD-related exclusion is common - meaning the policy would not pay out if you are unable to work specifically due to a flare or IBD complication. The loading on the premium may also be higher than for life insurance.
For mild, well-controlled IBD with infrequent flares and no time off work, some insurers may offer income protection without an exclusion, particularly if you have been in remission for 2 or more years.
Need income protection or critical illness with IBD?
These products require careful insurer selection. Our specialist brokers know which insurers offer the best terms for inflammatory bowel disease.
Get QuotePut your policy in trust
Once you have secured your life insurance, writing the policy in trust ensures the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries without being counted as part of your estate. This avoids inheritance tax and probate delays. It is free, takes 2 minutes, and our partner brokers set it up on every policy.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
I am currently in a flare. Should I wait before applying?
Generally, yes. If you are in an active flare, most insurers will either decline or postpone your application. Applying once you are back in remission typically results in better terms. However, if you need cover urgently (for example, for a mortgage), a specialist broker can approach insurers who will consider applications during mild to moderate flares.
Does having a stoma affect my life insurance?
A stoma itself is not the issue - insurers assess the underlying condition that led to the stoma. A well-functioning ileostomy after a colectomy for ulcerative colitis may actually improve your terms, as the diseased colon has been removed. A stoma due to Crohn's with ongoing active disease elsewhere will be assessed based on overall disease activity.
I am on biologics. Will this make insurance very expensive?
Biologics indicate more severe disease, so yes, premiums will be higher. However, being on biologics and in remission is viewed more favourably than not being on biologics and having frequent uncontrolled flares. The fact that your disease is being actively and effectively managed is a positive signal. Expect a loading of 75-150%, depending on other factors.
Does IBD increase my risk of bowel cancer for insurance purposes?
Insurers are aware that longstanding extensive colitis (particularly ulcerative colitis affecting the whole colon) carries an increased colorectal cancer risk. This is factored into the underwriting. Regular surveillance colonoscopies are viewed positively. A colectomy eliminates this risk, which is one reason post-colectomy terms can improve.
I have both Crohn's and another condition. How does this work?
Each condition is assessed individually, and the combined risk is evaluated. Common co-occurring conditions include joint problems, skin conditions (erythema nodosum, pyoderma gangrenosum), liver conditions (primary sclerosing cholangitis with UC), and mental health conditions. The combined impact may be greater than each condition individually, but cover remains available in most cases.
Will my premiums decrease if my condition improves?
Once your policy is in force with guaranteed premiums, the premiums are fixed regardless of whether your health improves or worsens. This is why getting cover at the right time matters. If your IBD is currently well-controlled, locking in those terms now protects you even if you flare in the future.
Get a life insurance quote with Crohn's or colitis
Tell us your diagnosis, medication, flare frequency, and any surgery history. Our specialist brokers will find the right insurer and get you the best available terms.
Get QuoteFree. No obligation. Takes 2 minutes.