MS Insurance

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MS Insurance (Part 1)

Lilly Clulow explains how mortgage protection works for individuals with multiple sclerosis. Episode one of two, recorded in August 2025.

Podcast approved by The Openwork Partnership on 14/08/25.

Can I get insurance if I have multiple sclerosis?

Absolutely, you can. There are certainly providers that will consider an application for someone with multiple sclerosis. They might need a few more details to confirm their decision, but I’ve been able to secure cover for multiple clients with MS, so it is definitely still an option for you.

What types of insurance are available for people with MS? Are there specialist insurers for people with MS?

Any application would always be assessed on a case-by-case basis. They will want to know information specific to yourself and how the condition is affecting you. From there, we’d be able to ascertain what options are available.

As advisors, we know the information they would need and would ask you for those details. We then do the research for you to establish your options. The outcome would be very much tailored to yourself as an individual.

How does an MS diagnosis affect insurance eligibility?

It doesn’t mean you’re not eligible, at all. As your advisors, we might just need to be a bit more specific with the providers and options we look at. That’s the same with any pre-existing medical condition.

It’s best to speak to an advisor, who can find a provider and policy to give you the most comprehensive outcomes.

Can I get life insurance after being diagnosed with MS? How will MS affect my life insurance premiums?

You can absolutely get life insurance. The policy premium might just be a little bit higher than on standard cover, and that will vary between different providers. We would always do the research for you to ensure the best outcome in terms of the policy costs.

Do I need a medical exam to get life insurance with MS?

Not always. Again, it’s on a case-by-case basis. We would normally be asked for details of how it affects your day to day life.

Normally, we’d then expect the insurer to speak to your GP, or if a specialist looks after you, we can provide their contact details. Essentially, they’re just looking to get as much information as possible from those sources.

If they needed more up-to-date information, or depending on the amount of cover we’re asking for, they might request a medical assessment. Normally that would be a simple nurse screening examination and potentially a test to confirm your smoker status.

Will life insurance policies cover death related to MS?

They will. It’s not excluded from the cover. As long as your policy is accepted and you’re paying your premiums, you would absolutely be covered. A claim could be accepted even if the death was specifically related to MS.

What information will insurers need about my MS diagnosis?

They will ask how it affects you, the type of MS it is and the symptoms you’re experiencing. They’d ask if those symptoms are mild, intermittent or continuous. Depending on your answers, they might ask further questions such as whether you’re using walking aids, if you’re able to work or if you have trouble swallowing.

They will also want to know when you were first diagnosed and when you last had symptoms (if they’re not continuous). They’d use all that information to make their decision.

Can I get critical illness cover if I already have MS?

There’s certainly the potential. Any application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. They’d be asking for all the same information and we’d look at different providers to see what options are available to you specifically.

If we couldn’t get critical illness cover for any reason, we would always look at the alternatives. It’s best to speak to an advisor and see what options are available.

Does critical illness insurance pay out for a new MS diagnosis?

Yes. If you’ve got an existing policy and you do receive an MS diagnosis, with most critical illness policies it would be one of the listed conditions. In that case you would be able to make a claim.

Your policy wording would determine if there were any specific metrics you had to meet to make a claim. With the most comprehensive policies, a diagnosis itself would normally ensure a payout. However, for some policies you might need to have reached a specific level of severity before a claim could be made.

Again, your advisor would be able to confirm the point at which you could make a claim. It’s best to let them know as soon as possible.

Will my MS prevent me from adding critical illness cover to a life insurance policy?

No, not necessarily. Any application will be on a case-by-case basis. Until we’ve given them all the information about yourself and how it affects you, we wouldn’t be able to confirm.

It’s certainly an option to consider, though. As before, if for any reason we can’t do that, there’s normally something else that we could look at instead for you.

YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE.

Approved by The Openwork Partnership on 14/08/25

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MS Insurance (Part 2)

Lilly Clulow continues the conversation on mortgage protection options for individuals with multiple sclerosis. Episode two of two, recorded in August 2025.

Podcast approved by The Openwork Partnership on 14/08/25.

Are there exclusions for MS-related claims on critical illness policies?

Most critical illness policies would cover MS, but some may have detailed specifications as to what constitutes a valid claim. That can vary between the different providers.

It’s just important to check your policy documents so you understand any specific requirements related to any condition. Obviously, your advisor would be able to help you with that.

Unless a specific exclusion applied when you took your policy out originally, you would usually find that MS is covered.

Is income protection insurance available to people with MS?

It’s similar to critical illness – there are certainly options we can look at for you. It will depend on the answers to the provider’s questions about how MS affects you specifically.

They will take into account your personal situation and we would explore your options. If we found that it’s not possible for you, we’d look at alternatives that would offer similar cover and support. There’s usually something we can do to help you get something in place.

Will I be able to claim income protection if my MS worsens?

Yes, as long as there’s not an exclusion on your policy that would rule it out. You would absolutely be able to claim if MS was the reason you weren’t working at the time.

You would need to meet the requirements for a valid claim, which normally involve being employed and signed off work by your GP. MS would certainly be a valid reason to claim on income protection.

What’s the waiting period for MS-related income protection claims?

As soon as you are signed off work, let the insurer or your advisor know. You would need to wait for your specific paid deferred period, which would be stated on your policy. Normally, this would be aligned with your sick pay provision.

At the point where your sick pay from your employer ended or reduced, the policy would start paying out for you.

How do insurers assess my ability to work with MS?

They would ask questions to understand how your MS affects you – as they appreciate it affects people differently. Normally it would be focused around the severity and frequency of your symptoms.

Job role is also relevant. For instance, if you’ve got a physical job, symptoms affecting mobility and balance can have a more severe impact than if you had an office-based job.

It’s very much case-by-case and based on assessments tailored to yourself.

What medical details will insurers need about my MS?

That would vary between the different providers, but they generally follow a similar process. They’re always going to ask about the type of MS and how you describe your symptoms. Are you symptom-free, are they intermittent or is it continuous or worsening?

Depending on your answers, they normally ask some follow-up questions. For example, if symptoms are not continuous, when did you last have symptoms? Do you have any difficulty breathing or swallowing?

They may ask if you need a walking aid such as a stick or wheelchair, and may also enquire into whether you have a stair lift, which people might not always consider being included.

They’re just trying to get an understanding of your situation. They also ask for your doctor’s details and for any medical letters or specialist contacts.

How can I improve my chances of being approved for insurance with MS?

Just be as accurate and honest as possible. Whenever we’re doing an application, whether it’s for MS or any other condition, we need to make sure the information we’re providing is correct. The provider will check it with your GP or with your specialist.

If you have any letters confirming treatment or timeframes, that can speed up the process.

What happens if I’m diagnosed with MS after taking out a policy?

It would very much depend on what your policy covered you for. Best practice is to let your advisor know and we will look into it and establish whether you could make a claim or not.

Obviously, that can vary depending on what you’re covered for. Even if you couldn’t make a claim, your policy itself would still be valid, so you wouldn’t need to change or cancel your insurance.

Can I switch insurers after being diagnosed with MS?

You would certainly have the option. Any new policy you took out would likely either exclude MS or have an increased price due to the existing condition.

It might well be best to keep your existing cover. If you’re ever in a position where you feel your existing cover is no longer suitable or you want to look at other options, it’s best to speak to an advisor to see if that’s worth doing. There may also be options to improve your cover with your existing provider.

How long do MS insurance claims typically take to process?

That really can vary. A claim might take a bit of time because the insurance provider will need details and information from the medical professionals who look after you. It can take time to collect that information.

Once they have the evidence they need and your claim was accepted on that basis, the policy would pay out. But it may take a couple of weeks to a couple of months to get everything together.

Will premiums increase if my condition worsens over time?

No. Unless you specifically decided to make a change to or cancel your policy, if you’ve got a level policy your premiums will stay the same. They wouldn’t increase because you’ve had a diagnosis after the policy has started.

What happens if I don’t disclose my MS diagnosis when applying?

It’s very unlikely that a claim could be made successfully, even for another reason. Providers always ask for your medical records at the point of claim, and these must match the information we’ve provided in the application.

We would always remind you to be as accurate and honest as possible during an application to ensure your cover is correct and valid. Of course, we want you to be able to make a claim should something happen.

Should I use an insurance broker who specialises in chronic conditions like MS? How can a mortgage broker help here?

An insurance advisor such as myself can research and advise on your options. We can establish the potential outcomes and prices – and give you all the information you need to decide on the cover that you want.

Every provider has their own stance regarding any given condition, so speaking to an advisor is a great option. We’ve got the experience to know which provider or policy might be most suitable for you.

We’ll advise you throughout, as well. We’d certainly be happy to help you.