Editor’s note: First published in 2017. Fully refreshed in 2026 to reflect current Irish underwriting criteria, insurer behaviour, and how COPD is assessed in practice.
If you have COPD or emphysema and are thinking about life insurance or mortgage protection, it is very normal to assume the answer will be a flat no.
In reality, most applications are far more nuanced than that.
Irish insurers look closely at how severe your COPD is, how stable it has been, whether you smoke, and how your lungs are functioning today. Many people with mild or moderate COPD still get cover. Some even get it at close to normal rates.
The key is understanding how insurers actually assess COPD, and matching your situation to the insurer most likely to look at it sensibly. That underwriting process is explained in more detail here.
Can You Get Life Insurance or Mortgage Protection with COPD?
Yes, in many cases you can.
COPD does not automatically mean a decline. What matters is severity and stability.
In simple terms:
- Mild COPD is usually insurable
- Moderate COPD is often insurable, typically with a premium increase
- Severe COPD is much more difficult and often declined
Mortgage protection is sometimes easier than standalone life insurance because the cover amount reduces over time and is tied to the mortgage balance. If you are unsure how the two differ, this guide explains why mortgage protection exists and how banks view it.
How Insurers Assess COPD (GOLD Stages Explained)
Insurers use the internationally recognised GOLD criteria, which are based mainly on lung function tests, particularly FEV1.
- GOLD 1 (Mild): FEV1 ≥ 80% predicted
- GOLD 2 (Moderate): FEV1 between 50% and 79%
- GOLD 3 (Severe): FEV1 between 30% and 49%
- GOLD 4 (Very severe): FEV1 below 30%
As a rule of thumb, GOLD 1 and 2 are usually insurable, GOLD 3 may be considered on a case by case basis, and GOLD 4 is almost always declined.
This assessment is then layered with other risk factors such as smoking and symptom control.
Life Insurance with COPD – What Is Usually Possible
For life insurance, insurers look beyond the diagnosis label and focus on how your condition affects your daily life.
Broadly speaking:
- Mild COPD: Often accepted at standard rates or with a modest loading
- Moderate COPD: Usually accepted with a higher premium
- Severe COPD: Often declined, particularly if symptoms limit daily activity
If your condition has been stable for several years, you are a non-smoker, and your pulmonary tests are good, your chances improve significantly. Where premiums are increased, this is usually done through a policy loading.
Mortgage Protection with COPD – How Bank Rules Affect Things
If you are taking out a mortgage, the bank generally requires mortgage protection unless you qualify for an exemption.
Mortgage protection is a reducing form of life insurance designed to clear the mortgage if you die. Because the risk reduces over time, insurers may sometimes be more flexible than they are with level-term life cover.
This is one reason people with COPD are often surprised to find that mortgage protection is available when they expected an outright decline.
What Medical Details Underwriters Care About Most
When underwriting COPD, insurers focus on practical risk rather than labels.
- Smoking status and smoking history
- FEV1 and other lung function test results
- Frequency of flare-ups or hospital admissions
- Whether oxygen therapy is required
- Time off work due to symptoms
- Other factors such as BMI or blood pressure
Stability over time is one of the biggest positives an underwriter can see.
How Much More Does Life Insurance Cost with COPD?
The cost depends on severity, age, smoking status, and insurer.
As a rough illustration only, if the normal premium is €40 per month:
- A 100% loading would increase it to €80
- A 150% loading would increase it to €100
- A 200% loading would increase it to €120
Different insurers regularly produce very different outcomes from the same medical file. Over a long-term policy, choosing the wrong insurer can cost tens of thousands of euro.
Can You Get Income Protection with COPD?
Income protection is more restrictive than life insurance when COPD is involved.
If your COPD is mild or moderate and you have been a non-smoker for a number of years, cover may be possible, often with a respiratory exclusion. For severe or progressive COPD, income protection is rarely offered.
This is an area where realistic advice matters far more than optimistic promises.
Real-World Example: Mild COPD and a Successful Application
We recently helped a client in his mid-50s with mild COPD who worked in construction.
He had a long smoking history, stable symptoms for several years, good pulmonary function test results, and well-controlled blood pressure.
Although his premiums were higher than standard, he was able to secure mortgage protection and protect his family. If he quits smoking and improves his BMI, he can reapply in future for a lower price.
Why Different Insurers Can Quote Very Different Prices
Insurers do not all assess COPD in the same way.
One insurer may apply a moderate loading, another may apply a heavy one, and a third may decline entirely. That difference has nothing to do with you. It comes down to underwriting philosophy.
This is why working with a broker who deals with medical underwriting every day can materially change the outcome.
Next Step If You Have COPD
If you want a realistic view of what is possible in your situation, the first step is matching your medical details to the right insurer.
If you would like my help, complete this short questionnaire and I will come back to you by email with clear options:
Respiratory Disorders Questionnaire
Thanks
Nick
Written by Nick McGowan, QFA RPA APA
Nick is a qualified financial advisor and founder of Lion.ie, an independent Irish life insurance and income protection brokerage based in Tullamore.
He has been helping people with medical and underwriting challenges secure fair cover for over 15 years and was named Protection Broker of the Year 2022.
If you want straight answers without the sales pitch, learn more about Nick here.