Prices from just £7.96
Yes, you can still get life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis and other pre-existing conditions.
If you have symptoms you will likely pay a bit extra, but it can be more affordable than you might think.
You can still get life insurance if you smoke or vape, but you’ll usually pay more than a non-smoker. Insurers see nicotine use as a higher health risk, so premiums can often be double the price of standard cover.
How much extra you pay depends on how often you smoke or vape, how long you’ve been doing it, and whether you use tobacco or nicotine-based products. Even e-cigarettes are treated the same way as smoking by most insurers.
If you’ve quit, you could be reclassified as a non-smoker after 12 months without using any tobacco or nicotine products. That can make your life insurance much more affordable, so it’s worth reviewing your policy once you’ve stopped.
When you apply for life insurance, insurers look at your overall health to work out how risky it is to cover you. If you have arthritis, they’ll take a few key things into account when deciding your price:
What insurers look at | Why it matters | What it could mean for you |
|---|---|---|
Type of arthritis | Some types, like rheumatoid arthritis, can affect more than just joints. | Milder forms often get standard rates. |
Symptom severity | Frequent flare-ups or limited mobility can suggest higher risk. | Mild, well-managed symptoms may not raise premiums. |
Medication | Stronger treatments can indicate more serious arthritis. | May lead to slightly higher costs. |
Other conditions | Linked issues such as heart or autoimmune problems add risk. | Multiple conditions can increase premiums. |
Time since diagnosis | Long-term stability shows good control. | Stable cases are viewed more favourably. |
The cost of life insurance depends on your age, health, lifestyle and the level of cover you choose. Having arthritis doesn’t automatically mean high premiums, but the type and severity of your symptoms can affect the price.
For example, a 30-year-old non-smoker looking for £250,000 of cover over 30 years might see prices like this:
Symptoms | Minimum Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
No arthritis | £7.96 |
If well controlled | + £0 |
If moderate symptoms | + £3 |
If severe symptoms | + £12 |
Here are three example quotes based on real customer data. Prices are per month for level term.
Policy Type: £250,000 cover | 30 year term
With major symptoms: £17.66
Policy Type: £150,000 cover | 20 year term
With major symptoms: £38.88
Policy Type: £50,000 cover | 10 year term
With major symptoms: £29.51
When you apply for life insurance, several things can influence how much you’ll pay:
The kind you have — and how much it affects your daily life — plays a big part in what you’ll be quoted.
If you’ve been admitted to hospital or needed specialist care recently, insurers may see this as a sign of more active symptoms.
Additional issues, such as diabetes or heart problems, can increase the overall risk and raise your premium.
Life insurance generally costs more as you get older.
A healthy weight can help reduce costs, as insurers link higher BMI to increased health risks.
Nicotine use usually means higher premiums, even if you only vape occasionally.
The length and amount of cover you choose also affect what you pay each month.
Yes. You should always let your insurer know about your arthritis, even if it’s mild or under control. Being open from the start avoids problems later if you ever need to make a claim.
Not everyone does. Some people are approved based on the details in their application. A medical assessment might only be needed if you have other conditions, take certain medications, or your BMI is classed as very high.
It’s always best to correct it as soon as possible. Missing information could affect your policy or delay a future payout. If you’re unsure, speak to your insurer or an adviser to help update your details.
If your arthritis is well managed, you could get a decision quickly — sometimes on the same day. More complex cases might need a manual review by an underwriter, which can take a little longer while they gather extra information.
Yes, you can apply for joint cover, but it isn’t always the cheapest option. It may work out better to apply separately, so each policy reflects your individual health and lifestyle
It might. Each insurer sets its own rules, and some may exclude arthritis-related claims or offer adjusted terms if symptoms are severe. Always check what’s covered before you buy.
Yes — if your arthritis becomes more stable, you lose weight, or stop smoking, you may qualify for cheaper cover. You can compare quotes again later or speak to an adviser to see if switching could save you money.
Yes. Insurers class arthritis as a pre-existing condition because it’s a long-term health issue. That doesn’t mean you’ll be refused cover — it just means your application will include questions about your diagnosis, symptoms, and any treatment you’re receiving. Providing clear, accurate details helps insurers offer you the most suitable cover at a fair price.
You'll need:
Date that you were first diagnosed
The specific type of arthritis (rheumatoid, psoriatic, osteoarthritis)
Severity of your symptoms
Other medical information and history
Family medical history
Lifestyle habits, including how much you drink
Decide what type of life insurance you want:
Family (level payout) or mortgage (decreasing)
How much cover you require
How long you want it to last for (the "term")
Then, on the 'Health Conditions' section, select 'arthritis' (and any other conditions).
We'll show you a range of quotes, which you can compare to find the best policy for you.
Once you've decided, you have two options:
Buy Now: Complete the purchase on site-in seconds
Apply Now: Go to the insurer site and answer additional questions
According to the charity Arthritis UK, over 10 million adults are currently estimated to be living with a form of arthritis or other musculoskeletal (MSK) condition. That’s around one in six of the population.
The reassuring news is that, even with arthritis or other long-term conditions, you can still find affordable life insurance, with many UK providers offering cover for people living with this type of condition.
The cost and eligibility will depend on how the condition impacts your health, what treatments you’re using, and whether there are other complications.
We can help you explore your options and make confident, informed choices.
Lucas Mansilla Life & Health Insurance Expert
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Yes. If you are struggling to find suitable cover or need extra support, you can speak to an adviser at our partner LifeSearch.
Phone number: 0800 197 3178
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8am - 8 pm | Sat 9 am - 2 pm | Sun 10am - 3.30pm
It's free to call, and their team of 280 advisers are all UK-based.
LifeSearch is one of the largest insurance brokers in the UK. It works with leading and specialist insurers, and has covered over 2 million people since 1998.
LifeSearch provides a number of different insurance products, including:
Life insurance
Critical Illness Cover
Income Protection
LifeSearch is rated 'excellent' on Trustpilot and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
MoneySuperMarket has a long-standing partnership with LifeSearch. When you compare life insurance through us, you’ll see options from insurers they work with — helping you find cover that fits your circumstances.
Your policy will always be taken out with the insurer you choose, but LifeSearch can support you at every stage, from applying for cover to making a claim. You can also manage claims directly through their website.
We receive a commission for referrals, but this never affects the price you pay for your policy.
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Insurance providers that are likely to offer life insurance with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis include:
Guardian
Scottish Widows
Vitality
Insurance providers that are likely to offer life insurance with osteoarthritis include:
Guardian
LV=
Scottish Widows
Vitality
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Reviewed on 20 Mar 2026 by
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Example cost of 20-year £150,000 level term life insurance policy for a 50-55 year-old non-smoker with arthritis and minor symptoms.
Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.
Example cost of 20-year £150,000 level term life insurance policy for a 50-55 year-old non-smoker with arthritis and major symptoms.
Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.
Example cost of 10-year £50,000 level term life insurance policy for a 60+ year-old non-smoker with arthritis and minor symptoms.
Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.
Example cost of 10-year £50,000 level term life insurance policy for a 60+ year-old non-smoker with arthritis and major symptoms.
Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.
Example cost of 30-year £250,000 level term life insurance policy for a 30-35 year-old non-smoker with arthritis and minor symptoms.
Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.
Example cost of 30-year £250,000 level term life insurance policy for a 30-35 year-old non-smoker with arthritis and major symptoms.
Data from LifeSearch. Prices from June 2025.
