10-second summary: Most health conditions won’t stop you getting life insurance or mortgage protection in Ireland — but some can increase the price. The key is matching your health history to the insurer most understanding of your condition.
Editor’s note: First published 2017 | Refreshed November 2025 with updated underwriting rules, Right to Be Forgotten guidance, and insurer-specific attitudes to common medical conditions.
Once upon a time, Johnny got a life insurance quote for €26 a month. He was delighted with himself and clicked “apply”.
Three days later, after reviewing his medical information, the insurer came back with €39.
Johnny hadn’t changed — his price had. Because he wasn’t quite as healthy on paper as he thought he was.
If you’ve ever wondered what actually affects life insurance or mortgage protection prices, this is the blog Johnny should have read first.
The Top Health Issues That Affect Mortgage Protection Prices
Health conditions are the number one reason an insurer will increase your premium. Here’s how the most common ones are treated in underwriting.
1. Smoking
Smokers die younger and get more illnesses — insurers price accordingly. Expect to pay roughly double the non-smoker rate.
If you’ve smoked in the last 12 months — even “just on nights out” — you’re a smoker in underwriting terms. Vapes, patches and 0% nicotine devices also count.
If you plan to quit after taking out your policy, choose an insurer who will reduce your premium once you’ve been smoke-free for a year.
Smoking & Life Insurance
2. High Blood Pressure
Hypertension is extremely common and rarely an issue when it’s controlled. If your readings are stable and your GP monitors them, you can often get the standard price.
Loadings appear when readings are very high, recently diagnosed, or poorly controlled. “White coat” syndrome can be explained if your GP confirms lower home readings.
Life Insurance & High Blood Pressure
3. Asthma
If your asthma is mild and well-managed, you can normally get standard pricing.
Loadings tend to appear if you’ve had steroid courses, flare-ups, or hospital visits in recent years.
Life Insurance with Asthma
4. Depression, Anxiety, or Stress
Mental health underwriting depends on severity and recent stability:
- Mild, stable: usually standard price
- Moderate, ongoing treatment: loading likely
- Severe or recent crisis: postpone or decline
Underwriters look at medication, GP/psychiatry reviews, time off work, and whether you’ve been stable for a good stretch.
Life Insurance & Depression
5. High Cholesterol
Not usually a big problem — insurers mainly care about overall cardiovascular risk. If your ratio is stable and under control (medication or lifestyle), you may get the normal price.
Loadings occur when levels are high, untreated, or combined with other issues like smoking, BMI or hypertension.
Life Insurance & High Cholesterol
6. Heart Disease
Heart disease almost always triggers loadings. Underwriters look at:
- the type of cardiac issue
- age of diagnosis
- whether you smoke
- blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI
- scans, angiograms & follow-up
Young males (under 40) often face the strictest underwriting.
Managing Your Finances with Heart Disease
7. Cancer History
Cancer survivors absolutely can get mortgage protection.
Right to Be Forgotten (Dec 2023): If you’re 7+ years post-treatment and in remission, you can get normal-price mortgage protection up to €500,000.
If you’re under 7 years, outcomes vary a lot — some insurers add temporary loadings, others load for the full term. Choosing the wrong one can cost thousands.
Life Insurance After Cancer
Right to Be Forgotten
8. High BMI / Obesity
BMI isn’t perfect, but insurers still use it:
- BMI under 32: standard possible
- BMI 32–40: loadings likely
- BMI over 50 (men) / 55 (women): all insurers decline
If you reduce your BMI later, you can request a premium review or reapply elsewhere.
Overweight & Life Cover
9. Family History
Insurers assess the health of your parents and siblings, especially early-onset heart disease or cancer.
Important: insurers cannot use genetic test results under Irish law.
Some insurers are far more flexible than others — picking the wrong one can double your premium.
Family History & Life Insurance
10. Diabetes
All insurers are strict with diabetes because of long-term risk.
- Type 1: always attracts a loading
- Type 2: near-standard possible if HbA1c is excellent
Underwriters assess HbA1c stability, complications, BMI, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
Diabetes & Life Insurance
Conclusion
Health issues are frustrating, but most people can still get mortgage protection with the right insurer.
The biggest mistake is applying blindly and getting hit with unnecessary loadings — or worse, a decline that follows you to the next insurer.
Want the most favourable insurer first time around?
Complete this quick medical questionnaire and I’ll match you to the insurer most understanding of your condition — all done anonymously, before you apply.
Looking for something more specific?
Thanks
Nick
Written by Nick McGowan, QFA RPA APA
Nick is a qualified financial advisor and founder of Lion.ie. He’s been helping people get fair, transparent cover for over 15 years — and was named Protection Broker of the Year 2022.
If you’d like straight answers (without the sales pitch), learn more about Nick here.