10-second summary: It is possible to get life insurance or mortgage protection if you have bipolar disorder. The outcome depends far more on stability and timing than on the diagnosis itself. Applying in the wrong way can trigger unnecessary declines that make things harder.
If you’re here, chances are you’ve been told you need mortgage protection and you’re worried bipolar disorder might stop the whole thing in its tracks.
That fear is understandable.
But in most cases, bipolar disorder does not automatically mean a decline.
A past diagnosis on its own is rarely the deciding factor.
What matters is how your condition has been managed, how stable things are now, and which insurer sees the application first.
The order matters more than people realise.
If you want to move quickly, you can start here: complete this mental health questionnaire and I’ll check whether cover is possible before any formal application is made.
How Insurers in Ireland Actually Assess Bipolar Disorder
Despite what people assume, insurers are not focused on labels.
They are focused on risk patterns.
From an underwriting point of view, bipolar disorder is assessed in much the same way as other long-term conditions.
Stability is the single biggest factor.
Insurers will look closely at things like:
- How long it has been since your last manic or depressive episode
- Whether there have been hospital admissions
- How consistent your medication has been
- Time off work linked to your condition
- Alcohol or substance issues, if any
A person with a long period of stability, consistent treatment, and no recent episodes is assessed very differently to someone whose condition is still fluctuating.
Bipolar I and Bipolar II are also viewed differently, but neither leads to an automatic refusal on its own.
Why Applying the Wrong Way Can Make Things Worse
This is the part most people are not told.
If you apply directly to a bank or insurer and get declined, that decline does not disappear.
You are required to disclose it in future applications.
This does not mean you have done anything wrong, but it does make other underwriters more cautious.
In some cases, it can turn a borderline yes into a definite no.
This is why we never rush straight into a formal application.
We check with our panel of underwriters first and only proceed if there is a realistic chance of terms.
Will You Need a Medical Exam?
In most cases, no.
The underwriting process usually looks like this:
- You complete an application and health questionnaire
- The insurer writes to your GP for a medical report
- Psychiatric reports are reviewed if relevant
- The insurer makes a decision once all information is in
Delays tend to come from missing psychiatric reports rather than from insurers themselves.
If your psychiatrist has reports that your GP does not yet hold, it is worth having those shared in advance.
How Much Does Life Insurance Cost If You Have Bipolar Disorder?
There is no fixed price and no fixed loading.
Where cover is offered, it is usually at a higher premium than someone with no medical history.
How much higher depends on stability, history, and timing.
Someone who has been stable for several years with no hospital admissions will often be viewed very differently to someone who has had recent episodes or treatment changes.
If an insurer feels the risk is still too uncertain, they may postpone the application rather than decline it.
If you want to understand postponements properly, this explains them in plain English:
Why life insurance applications are postponed.
What This Means If You’re Trying to Draw Down a Mortgage
If you need mortgage protection, timing and approach matter.
Applying blindly can delay your mortgage or force you down the mortgage protection waiver route unnecessarily.
In many cases, the right approach allows us to:
- Identify the most suitable insurer first
- Avoid unnecessary declines
- Set expectations clearly before you apply
If cover is not possible right now, we will tell you that early so you can plan properly.
Next Steps
If you want the best chance of life insurance or mortgage protection with bipolar disorder, the first step is information, not application.
Complete our mental health questionnaire and I’ll review your situation before anything is submitted.
If you’d prefer to talk it through first, you can also book a call here: schedule a call.
Thanks for reading
Nick
Written by Nick McGowan
Nick is the founder of Lion.ie, an Irish life insurance broker specialising in mortgage protection, life insurance, and income protection for people with medical conditions or complex underwriting issues.
He deals directly with insurers’ underwriters and helps clients avoid the mistakes that can lead to unnecessary declines or delays.