10-second summary: Yes, sometimes. Cardiomyopathy does not automatically rule out life insurance or mortgage protection in Ireland. What matters most is the type, how stable it is, your age, and which insurer you apply to first. Applying in the wrong order can turn a possible yes into a permanent no.
Editor’s note: First published in 2017. Fully rebuilt in 2026 to reflect how Irish insurers actually assess cardiomyopathy today and the real risks of applying incorrectly.
First things first. Cardiomyopathy is not an automatic decline.
This is usually the biggest fear.
A cardiomyopathy diagnosis does not mean you cannot get life insurance or mortgage protection. But it also isn’t straightforward, and outcomes vary a lot from person to person.
Insurers care far less about the label and far more about what the condition looks like in real life.
What insurers actually focus on
When cardiomyopathy is disclosed, underwriters usually look at:
- The specific type of cardiomyopathy
- How long ago it was diagnosed
- Whether it has been stable over time
- Whether there are symptoms such as fainting, breathlessness, or arrhythmias
- Whether there has been any intervention
- What recent cardiac tests actually show
Two people with the same diagnosis can receive completely different decisions.
Ejection fraction and cardiac tests
Insurers will almost always want to see recent echocardiogram results.
Left ventricular function, including ejection fraction, is one of the key things they look at.
A preserved (high) ejection fraction helps. A reduced or deteriorating ejection fraction makes cover much harder, even if you feel well.
What matters most is the overall picture and whether things have been stable.
Age matters, but not the same way with every insurer
Age is still an important factor with cardiomyopathy, but it is applied very differently depending on the insurer.
Some insurers apply firm age cutoffs. Others are willing to look at younger applicants, but only with full cardiac reports provided upfront.
This is where applying to the wrong insurer first can quietly do serious damage.
ICDs and pacemakers. Let’s be straight about it.
If you have had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted, new life insurance is extremely unlikely in Ireland.
Pacemakers are sometimes theoretically reviewable, but in real-world underwriting they usually lead to the same outcome.
Why applying in the wrong order causes problems
This is the part most people only learn after something goes wrong.
If you apply through a bank or directly to an insurer without pre-checking your case, you significantly increase the risk of a decline.
Once declined, that decision must be disclosed forever. Even insurers who might otherwise have considered your case will see the previous decline first.
With cardiomyopathy, order matters more than almost anything else.
Will cover, if offered, be full cover?
In most successful cases, yes.
Life insurance does not exclude specific causes of death. If cover is offered, it is full life cover, with a higher premium.
The bigger risk is not exclusions.
The bigger risk is applying badly and being declined.
How long does the process usually take?
The insurer decision itself is usually quick.
The delay is almost always the GP report. Once medical reports are returned, decisions are made within 48 hours.
From application to decision, around six weeks is typical, longer if you GP is slow.
Planning ahead matters, especially if a mortgage drawdown is involved – ensure your GP has up to date cardiology reports.
How much does it usually cost?
There is no single answer.
Pricing depends on the type of cardiomyopathy, how stable it has been, test results, and whether there are symptoms.
Anyone giving you a firm price without reviewing medical detail is guessing.
What to do next
If you have cardiomyopathy and are thinking about life insurance or mortgage protection, the safest approach is to check viability before making a formal application.
You can do that by completing this questionnaire:
Complete the medical questionnaire
If you prefer to talk it through first, you can book a call here:
Schedule a call
Thanks for reading
Nick
Written by Nick McGowan
Founder of Lion.ie. Specialising in life insurance and mortgage protection where health makes things complicated.