Life insurance with migraines
Migraines affect around one in seven people in the UK. The good news is that most people with migraines can get life insurance at standard or near-standard rates. Insurers treat migraines very differently from more serious neurological conditions, and the vast majority of migraineurs will not face significant issues obtaining cover.
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The short answer
Most people with migraines get standard or near-standard life insurance rates. The key factors are frequency (monthly episodes are very different from weekly), whether you have been hospitalised, and how much time off work migraines cause. Migraine medication, including triptans, preventives, and newer CGRP inhibitors, does not typically increase premiums. Income protection is where migraines can cause more difficulty, with potential exclusions for migraine-related absence.
What insurers ask about migraines
Migraine questions on insurance applications are usually brief unless you indicate severe or frequent episodes. The standard questions include:
- How often do you get migraines? (frequency per month or year)
- Do you experience aura? (visual disturbance, numbness, speech difficulty)
- What medication do you take? (acute treatment, preventive medication)
- Have you been referred to a neurologist?
- Have you been hospitalised for migraines?
- Have you had a brain scan (MRI or CT) and if so, was it normal?
- How much time off work have migraines caused in the last 12 months?
- Have your migraines changed in character, frequency, or severity recently?
How migraines affect life insurance premiums
Occasional migraines (monthly or less)
Standard rates. Migraines occurring once a month or less frequently, managed with over-the-counter painkillers or triptans, with no hospital admissions and minimal time off work, are a non-issue for the vast majority of life insurers.
Frequent migraines (weekly) or on preventive medication
Standard to minor loading (0-25%). Being on a preventive medication (propranolol, topiramate, amitriptyline, or a CGRP inhibitor) indicates more frequent migraines, but insurers view preventive treatment as positive management. A normal brain scan is helpful if one has been performed.
Severe migraines with hospitalisations or significant work impact
Minor to moderate loading (25-50%). Hospital admissions for migraines and significant time off work raise the underwriting assessment. Insurers may also want to confirm that investigations have ruled out other neurological conditions.
Migraine with aura
Migraine with aura (visual disturbance, numbness, tingling, speech difficulty before the headache) affects roughly a third of people who get migraines. It is a slightly more significant factor for underwriting than migraine without aura, but it does not typically prevent you from getting cover.
Why aura matters to insurers
Migraine with aura is associated with a slightly increased risk of stroke, particularly in younger women who smoke or use combined hormonal contraception. This is a well-established medical finding and insurers are aware of it.
In practice, the impact on insurance is modest. Most insurers will still offer standard rates for migraine with aura if investigations have been performed and are normal. The key is that a neurological assessment or brain scan has confirmed the symptoms are migrainous in nature and not caused by something else.
New onset aura in someone over 40 may prompt more questions, as insurers want to ensure it has been properly investigated. A normal MRI scan is particularly helpful in this scenario.
Migraines with aura? Don't overthink it.
Most people with migraine aura get standard rates. If you've had investigations, call us with the results and our specialist brokers will confirm your options quickly.
Get QuoteMigraine medication and insurance
Migraine medication is not a barrier to life insurance. Insurers are familiar with the full range of migraine treatments, and none of them are viewed as problematic in themselves.
Triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, etc.)
No impact on life insurance terms. Triptans are the standard acute treatment for migraines and are extremely well-known to underwriters. Taking triptans does not indicate severity that concerns insurers.
Preventive medication (propranolol, topiramate, amitriptyline, candesartan)
Minimal impact. Being on a preventive medication indicates frequent migraines, but insurers view the fact that you are taking preventive action positively. It does not usually attract a loading for life insurance.
CGRP inhibitors (erenumab/Aimovig, fremanezumab/Ajovy, galcanezumab/Emgality)
These newer treatments are increasingly common in the UK, available on the NHS for chronic migraine. Being on a CGRP inhibitor indicates chronic migraine (15+ headache days per month), which may prompt a minor loading. However, the CGRP inhibitor itself is not viewed as a risk factor.
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) for chronic migraine
Similar to CGRP inhibitors, Botox treatment indicates chronic migraine and may prompt a minor loading. The treatment itself is not a concern.
Chronic migraine (15+ headache days per month)
Chronic migraine is defined as headaches on 15 or more days per month, with at least 8 of those being migrainous. This is the most significant migraine category for insurance purposes, though life insurance is still available.
Typical underwriting
Life insurance - minor loading (25-50%) from most insurers. Chronic migraine is insurable, and the loading reflects the frequency rather than a mortality risk. A normal brain scan and specialist confirmation of the diagnosis improve terms.
Income protection - this is where chronic migraine causes the most difficulty. If chronic migraine causes significant time off work, a migraine or headache exclusion is likely. See the income protection section below for details.
Cluster headaches
Cluster headaches are a separate condition from migraines, though they are often discussed alongside them. They are characterised by severe, one-sided head pain occurring in clusters (periods of frequent attacks followed by remission).
Typical underwriting
Episodic cluster headaches (clusters lasting weeks to months with remission periods) - minor loading (25-50%) for life insurance. Cover is available from most mainstream insurers. Treatment with oxygen therapy, triptans, or verapamil is well-understood.
Chronic cluster headaches (no significant remission period) - moderate loading (50-75%) may apply. Chronic cluster headaches are rarer and more difficult to treat, which insurers factor in.
As with chronic migraines, income protection with cluster headaches may involve a headache exclusion, particularly if clusters cause significant work absence.
The honest answer
Migraines are not a significant barrier to life insurance for the vast majority of people. If you get occasional migraines managed with triptans, you will get standard rates. If you have chronic migraines on CGRP inhibitors or Botox, you will pay slightly more but cover is readily available. The area where migraines genuinely cause difficulty is income protection - if your migraines cause regular time off work, expect a headache exclusion. This is worth understanding upfront rather than discovering at claim time.
Income protection with migraines
Income protection is the product where migraines have the greatest impact. Migraines are a common cause of short-term absence from work, and insurers reflect this in their terms.
What to expect
Occasional migraines, no work absence
Income protection likely available without a migraine exclusion. If your migraines do not cause time off work, most insurers will offer full terms, possibly with a minor loading.
Regular migraines causing some work absence
A migraine or headache exclusion is the most likely outcome. The policy would cover all other reasons for absence but would not pay out for migraine-related claims. Even with this exclusion, income protection remains valuable cover.
Chronic migraine with significant work impact
Headache exclusion from all mainstream insurers. If migraines are causing extended absences, some insurers may also apply a broader neurological exclusion. Specialist advice is recommended.
Put your policy in trust
Every life insurance policy should be written in trust, regardless of your migraine history. This ensures the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries outside your estate, avoiding inheritance tax and probate delays. Our partner brokers set this up at no cost on every policy.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to declare migraines on my life insurance application?
Yes, you should declare any diagnosed condition and any medication you take. However, declaring migraines will not disadvantage you in most cases. Insurers expect to see migraines regularly - they are one of the most common conditions declared on applications.
Does taking triptans increase my life insurance premiums?
No. Triptans are the standard treatment for acute migraines and are not viewed as indicating anything concerning by life insurers. Whether you take sumatriptan, rizatriptan, or any other triptan, it will not affect your premiums.
I have been referred to a neurologist for migraines. Does this matter?
A neurological referral is noted but not inherently negative. Many people are referred to a neurologist simply for specialist management of frequent migraines rather than because something sinister is suspected. If your neurologist has confirmed a migraine diagnosis and investigations are normal, this is reassuring for underwriters.
Does migraine with aura affect critical illness cover?
Migraine with aura may prompt a slightly more cautious approach to critical illness cover, given the statistical association with stroke risk. However, for most people, critical illness cover is still available at standard or near-standard terms. The association is small in absolute terms.
My migraines have recently changed. Should I wait to apply?
If your migraines have recently changed in character, frequency, or severity, it is often worth waiting until you have been assessed by your GP or neurologist and investigations are complete. Applying while under active investigation may result in a postponement. Once the cause of the change is established and confirmed as migrainous, you can apply with a clear picture.
Can I get income protection if migraines cause me to miss work regularly?
Yes, but with a migraine or headache exclusion from most insurers. This means the policy would not pay out if you are unable to work due to migraines, but it would cover every other condition. Some specialist insurers may offer cover without exclusion at a higher premium, though this is not guaranteed.
Get clear advice about insurance with migraines
Tell us about your migraine frequency, medication, and any investigations. Our specialist brokers will confirm your options for life cover, critical illness, and income protection.
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