Life insurance with high cholesterol
High cholesterol is one of the most common conditions seen by our partner brokers, and it is also one of the easiest to insure. Millions of people in the UK take statins, and insurers are well accustomed to assessing cholesterol-related risk. For most people, high cholesterol has a minimal impact on life insurance premiums - if it has any impact at all.
The short answer
High cholesterol managed with statins is one of the most straightforward conditions to insure. The vast majority of applicants get standard rates or a very minor loading of no more than 25%. Your total cholesterol level, cholesterol-to-HDL ratio, and whether you have any associated conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes are the key factors. Familial hypercholesterolaemia is treated differently and is harder to insure.
What insurers actually ask about high cholesterol
Cholesterol questions on insurance applications are relatively straightforward. Having your most recent blood test results to hand makes the process faster and ensures you give accurate information.
What is your most recent total cholesterol level?
Measured in mmol/L. Most insurers want to see a total cholesterol under 7.5 mmol/L for standard or near-standard terms. Under 6.0 mmol/L on treatment is ideal. If you do not know your number, your GP surgery can usually provide it over the phone.
What is your cholesterol-to-HDL ratio?
This ratio matters more to underwriters than total cholesterol alone. It reflects the balance between 'bad' LDL and 'good' HDL cholesterol. A ratio under 4.5 is viewed very favourably. Above 6.0 starts to attract more scrutiny.
What medication are you taking for cholesterol?
Statins are the most common treatment and are viewed positively by insurers because they demonstrate the condition is being actively managed. Other medications like ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitors may indicate more complex cases.
Do you have any other cardiovascular risk factors?
Insurers assess cholesterol in context. High cholesterol alone is straightforward. High cholesterol combined with high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of early heart disease changes the risk profile significantly.
Is your cholesterol familial (inherited)?
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic condition resulting in very high cholesterol from a young age. It is underwritten quite differently from standard high cholesterol and typically results in higher loadings. A confirmed genetic diagnosis is treated more cautiously than simply having elevated cholesterol.
Have you had any cardiovascular events?
A history of heart attack, stroke, angina, or bypass surgery alongside high cholesterol changes the underwriting picture entirely. The cholesterol itself becomes a secondary concern - the cardiovascular event dominates the assessment.
Have your latest blood results handy?
If you can share your total cholesterol, HDL, and what medication you take, our partner brokers can give you a clear picture in minutes.
Get QuoteHow your cholesterol level affects pricing
The good news is that cholesterol is one of the most benign conditions from an underwriting perspective. Most people with managed cholesterol pay very little extra, if anything. Here is a realistic breakdown.
Controlled on statins, no other risk factors
Standard rates
This is the most common scenario and the best outcome. If your cholesterol is well-controlled on statins with no associated conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, most insurers will offer you standard rates with no loading whatsoever. Statin use is so widespread in the UK that it is essentially a non-issue for most underwriters.
Elevated cholesterol with one additional risk factor
Standard to +25%
High cholesterol combined with one other factor such as mildly elevated blood pressure, slightly raised BMI, or a family history of heart disease typically attracts a very minor loading. Many insurers will still offer standard rates depending on how well-controlled both conditions are.
Uncontrolled or untreated cholesterol
+25% to +50%
If your cholesterol is known to be high but you are not taking medication or your levels remain significantly elevated despite treatment, insurers may apply a moderate loading. A total cholesterol persistently above 7.5 mmol/L raises more questions, particularly if there is no clear plan to manage it.
Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH)
+50% to +150% or more
FH is a different proposition entirely. It is a genetic condition that causes very high cholesterol from birth, significantly increasing lifetime cardiovascular risk. Insurers treat FH much more cautiously than standard high cholesterol. Loadings of 50-150% are common, and some insurers may decline depending on the severity, your age, and whether you have heterozygous or homozygous FH. However, cover is available, and a specialist broker can identify the most favourable insurers for FH.
How your medication affects your premiums
The type of cholesterol medication you take gives insurers information about the severity of your condition. In almost all cases, being on medication is viewed positively because it shows the condition is being managed.
| Medication | Insurer view |
|---|---|
| Statins (e.g. atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin) | The standard first-line treatment. Viewed very favourably. Most applicants on statins get standard rates. |
| Ezetimibe (alone or with a statin) | Often prescribed when statins alone are insufficient or not tolerated. Typically still results in standard or near-standard rates. |
| PCSK9 inhibitors (e.g. evolocumab, alirocumab) | Injectable medications usually reserved for FH or very high-risk patients. Indicates a more serious cholesterol problem. Higher loadings are likely. |
| Bempedoic acid (Nilemdo) | A newer option for those who cannot tolerate statins. Most insurers treat it similarly to ezetimibe. Still relatively new in underwriting terms. |
| No medication (lifestyle management only) | Depends on the cholesterol level. If levels are only mildly elevated and controlled through diet and exercise, this is perfectly fine. If levels are significantly raised and untreated, it raises questions about compliance. |
On medication for cholesterol?
The specific statin or medication you take can make a difference to which insurer offers the best terms. Tell us what you are taking and our specialist brokers will match you with the right insurer.
Get QuoteRealistic pricing examples
These are illustrative examples to give you a sense of how little high cholesterol typically affects premiums. Actual pricing depends on your full medical history, age, smoking status, cover amount, and the specific insurer. Our partner brokers provide exact quotes on the phone.
| Profile | Cover | Indicative monthly premium |
|---|---|---|
| 40-year-old non-smoker, cholesterol 5.8 on atorvastatin, no other conditions | 250,000 level term, 25 years | 12-18/month |
| 50-year-old non-smoker, cholesterol 6.5 on rosuvastatin, mild hypertension also treated | 200,000 level term, 20 years | 25-40/month |
| 45-year-old non-smoker, diagnosed FH, on high-dose statin + ezetimibe, no cardiovascular events | 200,000 level term, 20 years | 35-65/month |
These are indicative figures based on typical market rates at the time of writing. They are not quotes. Actual premiums may be higher or lower depending on your full circumstances and the insurer selected.
The honest answer
For the vast majority of people with high cholesterol, this condition will have little to no impact on your life insurance premiums. Statins are taken by millions of people across the UK and insurers treat managed cholesterol as a routine part of underwriting. If your cholesterol is controlled, you have no associated cardiovascular conditions, and your cholesterol-to-HDL ratio is reasonable, you should expect standard or very near-standard rates. The exception is familial hypercholesterolaemia, which is a genuinely different condition with higher risk, and which requires more careful insurer selection. Even with FH, cover is available - but you should use a specialist broker to find the best terms.
Critical illness cover with high cholesterol
Critical illness cover is generally available with high cholesterol and is less affected by this condition than many people expect. Most critical illness policies will cover you at standard or near-standard rates if your cholesterol is managed.
The picture changes if you have FH or multiple cardiovascular risk factors. In those cases, some insurers may apply a loading to critical illness cover or, in more complex cases, add an exclusion for cardiovascular-related claims. This is where insurer selection becomes important, because different providers take quite different views on combined risk factors.
Income protection with high cholesterol
Income protection is typically available at standard rates for people with managed high cholesterol. Insurers recognise that controlled cholesterol on its own does not significantly increase the likelihood of being unable to work.
If you have FH or cholesterol combined with other conditions, some insurers may apply a premium loading or a specific exclusion for cardiovascular-related claims. A specialist broker can identify which insurers are most likely to offer full cover without exclusions.
Need critical illness or income protection?
For most people with managed cholesterol, these products are straightforward. If you have FH or combined risk factors, our specialist brokers will find the insurer that offers the best terms.
Get QuoteFamilial hypercholesterolaemia: a different situation
It is important to understand that familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is treated very differently from standard high cholesterol by insurers. FH is a genetic condition that causes significantly elevated cholesterol from birth, and the cumulative cardiovascular risk is substantially higher.
Heterozygous FH (the more common form)
Affects roughly 1 in 250 people. If well-managed with medication and with no cardiovascular events, cover is available from several insurers, typically with loadings of 50-150%. The younger you are and the better your lipid levels are controlled, the better your terms will be.
Homozygous FH (very rare)
Affects roughly 1 in 300,000 people. This results in extremely high cholesterol and very early cardiovascular risk. Standard life insurance is extremely difficult to obtain. Guaranteed acceptance products and group schemes through employers may be the most viable options.
Suspected but unconfirmed FH
If you have a strong family history of high cholesterol and early heart disease but no formal genetic diagnosis, insurers may still underwrite cautiously. Getting clarity from your GP or a lipid clinic before applying can help - sometimes a confirmed non-FH diagnosis actually improves your terms.
Put your policy in trust
This applies to everyone, not just people with high cholesterol. If your life insurance policy is not written in trust, the payout goes into your estate on death. That means it could be subject to inheritance tax at 40% and delayed by months while probate is processed.
Writing your policy in trust is free, takes about 2 minutes, and ensures the money goes directly to your beneficiaries without delay or tax. Our partner brokers set this up on every policy they arrange.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare high cholesterol on a life insurance application?
Yes. You must declare all known medical conditions, including high cholesterol and any medication you take. Non-disclosure could void your policy entirely. The good news is that declaring cholesterol usually has very little impact on your premiums, so there is no benefit to concealing it and a significant risk if you do.
Will taking statins affect my life insurance?
Taking statins is actually viewed positively by most insurers. It shows your cholesterol is being actively managed and monitored. Most people on statins receive standard life insurance rates. The statin itself is not the issue - insurers are assessing the underlying cholesterol level and any associated risk factors.
My GP says my cholesterol is fine now - do I still need to declare it?
Yes. If you were ever diagnosed with high cholesterol or prescribed medication for it, you must declare this even if your levels are now normal. The fact that it is well-controlled is very positive for your application, but the insurer still needs to know about the diagnosis and treatment.
I have high cholesterol and high blood pressure - can I still get cover?
Yes. This is an extremely common combination, and insurers deal with it regularly. If both conditions are well-managed with medication, most insurers will offer cover, potentially with a small loading. The combined risk is higher than either condition alone, but it is still very much insurable.
What is a loading?
A loading is a percentage added to the standard premium to reflect additional risk. A +25% loading means you pay 1.25 times the standard premium. For most people with managed high cholesterol, any loading will be very modest or non-existent.
I have been diagnosed with familial hypercholesterolaemia - can I get life insurance?
Yes, but the terms will be different from standard high cholesterol. FH is a genetic condition that insurers treat more cautiously due to the increased lifetime cardiovascular risk. Loadings of 50-150% are typical for heterozygous FH. A specialist broker is essential here because insurer attitudes to FH vary significantly, and the right insurer can make a substantial difference to your premiums.
Will my premiums increase if my cholesterol gets worse?
No. Once your policy is in force with guaranteed premiums, the insurer cannot increase them because your health changes. This is one of the key reasons to get cover in place while your cholesterol is well-controlled - you lock in today's terms regardless of what happens in the future.
Get a life insurance quote with high cholesterol
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