Life insurance with fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects an estimated 2-5% of the UK population. The good news for life insurance is that fibromyalgia does not typically shorten life expectancy, which means most people with fibromyalgia can get life cover. The harder product is income protection, where fibromyalgia presents a much greater challenge.
The short answer
Life insurance with fibromyalgia is usually available with a minor to moderate loading. Fibromyalgia does not significantly affect life expectancy, so life cover is the easier product. Income protection is where fibromyalgia causes the most difficulty - many insurers will either exclude fibromyalgia-related claims or decline income protection outright. Critical illness cover is not directly relevant as fibromyalgia is not a listed condition. Mental health comorbidity (depression, anxiety) is common and may add an additional loading.
What insurers actually ask about fibromyalgia
When you apply for life insurance with fibromyalgia, insurers focus on the severity and functional impact of your condition, as well as any associated mental health conditions. Here is what they ask about.
When were you diagnosed?
A longer history of stable, managed fibromyalgia is generally viewed more favourably than a recent diagnosis where the long-term trajectory is uncertain.
How severe are your symptoms?
Insurers want to understand the day-to-day impact. Can you work full-time? Do you need help with daily activities? Mild symptoms managed with lifestyle modifications are viewed very differently from severe symptoms that significantly limit function.
What medication are you taking?
Common fibromyalgia medications include pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta), amitriptyline, gabapentin, and various pain relief. The type and number of medications tell insurers about severity. Simple analgesia is viewed more favourably than multiple medications including opioids.
Have you had any time off work due to fibromyalgia?
This is particularly relevant for income protection applications but also affects life insurance. Extended or frequent time off work indicates more severe disease and leads to higher loadings or, for income protection, exclusion or decline.
Do you have any associated mental health conditions?
Depression and anxiety are very common alongside fibromyalgia, affecting an estimated 30-50% of people with the condition. If you have a diagnosed mental health condition, this is assessed alongside your fibromyalgia and may result in an additional loading.
Are there any other associated or overlapping conditions?
Fibromyalgia often coexists with conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, or migraine. Multiple overlapping conditions may increase the loading applied.
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Get QuoteHow severity affects your life insurance premiums
Because fibromyalgia does not typically affect life expectancy directly, the loadings for life insurance are generally lower than for many other conditions. Here is what to expect at different severity levels.
Mild fibromyalgia
Standard to minor loading
Managed with lifestyle modifications, simple analgesia, or low-dose amitriptyline. Working full-time. No significant mental health comorbidity. Most mainstream insurers will offer life cover at standard rates or with a very minor loading of up to 25%.
Moderate fibromyalgia
Minor to moderate loading
On pregabalin or duloxetine, some impact on daily activities but managing to work (possibly with adjustments). Mild to moderate associated anxiety or depression. Loadings of 25-75% are typical. Most mainstream insurers will still offer terms.
Severe fibromyalgia
Moderate loading
Multiple medications including stronger pain relief, significant impact on daily activities, extended time off work or unable to work, significant mental health comorbidity. Loadings of 75-125% may apply for life insurance. Fewer mainstream insurers will offer terms at this level, but cover is still available.
How your medication affects your premiums
Your medication tells insurers a lot about the severity of your fibromyalgia. Here is how different treatment approaches are typically viewed.
| Medication | Insurer view |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle management only (exercise, pacing, sleep hygiene) | Best scenario. Indicates mild, well-managed condition. Standard or near-standard rates. |
| Low-dose amitriptyline | Viewed favourably. A common first-line treatment. Minor loading typical. |
| Pregabalin or gabapentin | Moderate view. Indicates moderate symptoms requiring specific treatment. Minor to moderate loading. |
| Duloxetine (Cymbalta) | Moderate view. Often used when fibromyalgia coexists with depression, which is an additional factor. |
| Opioid pain relief (tramadol, codeine, etc.) | Less favourable view. Indicates more severe pain and carries its own risks. Higher loadings. |
| Multiple medications | Suggests more complex or treatment-resistant condition. Higher loading, particularly with opioid combination. |
Realistic pricing examples
These are illustrative examples for life insurance. Actual premiums depend on your full health profile, not just your fibromyalgia.
| Profile | Cover | Indicative monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| 35-year-old non-smoker, mild fibromyalgia on amitriptyline, working full-time, no mental health condition | 200,000 level term, 25 years | 10-15/month |
| 42-year-old non-smoker, moderate fibromyalgia on pregabalin, mild depression on sertraline, working with adjustments | 200,000 level term, 20 years | 18-30/month |
| 48-year-old non-smoker, severe fibromyalgia on multiple medications, moderate depression, some time off work | 150,000 level term, 15 years | 25-45/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
For life insurance, fibromyalgia is one of the more manageable conditions to insure. Most people with fibromyalgia can get life cover, and the loadings are typically modest. The real difficulty is income protection. Because fibromyalgia causes pain and fatigue that can prevent work, insurers view it as a high risk for income protection claims. Many will exclude fibromyalgia-related claims entirely, and some will decline income protection applications outright. If income protection is important to you, getting it in place before any diagnosis is always the ideal - but if you already have fibromyalgia, a specialist broker can identify which of the few insurers may offer terms, even if with exclusions.
Income protection with fibromyalgia
Income protection is by far the most challenging insurance product for people with fibromyalgia. Insurers are cautious because fibromyalgia is a leading cause of long-term sickness absence in the UK, and the subjective nature of symptoms makes claim assessment complex.
Exclusion for fibromyalgia-related claims
The most common outcome. The policy covers you for everything except claims arising from fibromyalgia. This still provides valuable protection against other illnesses and injuries. Some people find this acceptable as a pragmatic compromise.
Decline
Some insurers will decline income protection entirely if you have fibromyalgia, particularly if you have had significant time off work. This does not mean all insurers will decline - insurer selection is critical.
Full cover (rare)
In cases of mild fibromyalgia with no time off work and no mental health comorbidity, a small number of insurers may offer income protection without a fibromyalgia exclusion, though a loading will almost certainly apply. This requires careful insurer selection and is not guaranteed.
Critical illness cover and fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is not a listed condition on critical illness policies, so it would not trigger a payout in its own right. This also means that fibromyalgia itself is less of a barrier to obtaining critical illness cover than it is for income protection.
Most insurers will offer critical illness cover to someone with fibromyalgia, though a loading may apply. If you also have depression or anxiety, the mental health component may affect the critical illness assessment more than the fibromyalgia itself.
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Frequently asked questions
Does fibromyalgia affect life expectancy?
Current medical evidence does not suggest that fibromyalgia itself significantly reduces life expectancy. This is the main reason why life insurance is usually available - insurers are primarily concerned with mortality risk. However, fibromyalgia can be associated with other conditions (depression, reduced physical activity, medication side effects) that may indirectly affect overall health.
I also have depression - how does that affect my insurance?
Depression and fibromyalgia frequently coexist, and insurers assess them together. The combined effect on premiums is typically greater than either condition alone. The severity of the depression, medication, and any history of self-harm or hospitalisation are the key additional factors. For most people with mild to moderate depression alongside fibromyalgia, cover is still available with a combined loading.
Will my premiums go down if my fibromyalgia improves?
Existing guaranteed premiums cannot be changed. However, if your symptoms improve significantly, you can apply for a new policy. If the new terms are better, you switch. If not, you keep the original. This approach ensures you are never left without cover.
I have been declined for income protection because of fibromyalgia. What are my options?
A decline from one insurer does not mean all will decline. Some insurers are more willing to offer income protection with a fibromyalgia exclusion than others. Short-term income protection (paying for 1-2 years) is generally easier to obtain than long-term. Employer group income protection schemes may also provide cover without individual medical underwriting. A specialist broker can explore all available options.
I am taking opioids for fibromyalgia pain. Does this affect my application?
Yes. Opioid use is viewed less favourably by insurers, both because it indicates more severe pain and because of the risks associated with long-term opioid use. This does not prevent you from getting life cover, but you may face higher loadings than someone managing with non-opioid medication. Be completely transparent about your medication - non-disclosure is never worth the risk.
Is fibromyalgia covered by critical illness insurance?
No. Fibromyalgia is not a listed condition on any standard critical illness policy. This means a critical illness policy would not pay out if you were diagnosed with fibromyalgia. However, it would still cover you for unrelated listed conditions such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
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