Does Taking Medication Affect Life Insurance in the UK?

Quick Answer: Yes, medication can affect your premiums, but often in a positive way. Insurers view stable medication use (like statins or anti-hypertensives) as proof you are managing a condition responsibly. However, under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012, you must declare all prescribed drugs to avoid your policy being voided.

When you apply for life insurance, that long list of questions about your health can feel hard to answer. One of the biggest worries people have is whether their prescription history will make cover too expensive-or impossible to get.

The good news is that for most people in the UK, taking medication is seen as a "green flag" rather than a red one. It shows you are looking after yourself.

In One Sentence

Taking medication generally doesn't stop you from getting life insurance, but it acts as a key indicator for insurers to assess the stability and severity of your health condition.

Key Takeaways

• Will my premiums go up? Not necessarily. If your condition is "well-managed" (stable for 6+ months), you can often get standard rates.

• Do they check my medical records? Sometimes. Insurers can request a report from your GP (GPR), but only with your permission under the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988.

• What about weight loss jabs? Insurers are looking closely at drugs like Mounjaro. They assess the reason you take it (diabetes vs. weight loss) and your BMI history.

Why UK Insurers Care About Your Prescription History

Insurers use your medication history as a "proxy" to understand how severe a health condition is. It helps their underwriting teams predict future risk. For example, the dosage and type of medication tell them if a condition is mild, moderate, or severe.

When an underwriter looks at your application, they aren't judging you. They are simply trying to calculate the statistical risk of a claim being made during the policy term.

Medication gives them hard data. If you tell an insurer you have "a bit of anxiety," that is subjective. But if they see you are on a low, stable dose of an SSRI (antidepressant) and haven't changed it in three years, that is objective proof that your condition is stable.

Insurers look for stability. Frequent changes in medication or dosage can suggest your condition is not yet under control, which might lead to a "loading" (higher premium) or a postponement of cover.

Common Medications and Their Impact on Premiums

Most common maintenance medications, such as those for blood pressure or cholesterol, do not prevent you from getting affordable cover. In fact, taking them often proves you are lower risk than someone with the same condition who isn't treating it.

Here is how UK insurers typically view common prescriptions in 2026:

If you are worried about finding the right cover, especially for complex conditions, specialist brokers like Go Insure Me can help navigate these requirements.

The Risk of "Non-Disclosure" in the UK

If you fail to list a medication on your application, you risk your policy being cancelled or a claim being declined. Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012, you must take "reasonable care" to answer questions accurately.

Non-disclosure is the number one reason life insurance payouts are refused in the UK. However, the law protects you from honest mistakes.

• Innocent / Reasonable Care: You genuinely forgot a minor detail. The insurer may still pay the claim but adjust the amount.

• Deliberate / Reckless: You knowingly hid a major medication (like heart medication) to get a cheaper price. The insurer will void the policy and keep your premiums.

Golden Rule: If you have a repeat prescription on your NHS app, declare it. Insurers can check this against your medical records if you die, so hiding it never works in the long run.

Do I need to tell my insurer if I start new meds?

For standard "Level Term" or "Mortgage Decreasing" policies, you generally do NOT need to update your insurer about new health issues after the policy has started. The risk is assessed only at the start date.

Once your policy is live, your price is usually locked in (guaranteed premiums). If you start taking blood pressure tablets three years later, your cover remains valid and the price stays the same.

Exceptions where you MUST tell them:

• If you are applying to increase your cover amount.

• If you are extending the term (length) of the policy.

• If you have a specific type of policy called "Reviewable Whole of Life" (rare for standard family protection).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get life insurance if I take antidepressants?

Yes. Millions of people in the UK take SSRIs like Sertraline or Citalopram. If your condition is managed by your GP without recent suicidal thoughts or hospital stays, many insurers offer standard terms. They focus on how the condition affects your daily life and work.

Do life insurance companies check my GP records?

They can, but not for everyone. They use the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 to ask your permission first. They usually only request a General Practitioner Report (GPR) if you disclose a complex condition or apply for a very high amount of cover.

Does Mounjaro, Ozempic or Wegovy affect life insurance?

It depends on why you take it. If you take it for Type 2 Diabetes, you will be underwritten for diabetes. If you take Mounjaro or Wegovy purely for weight loss, insurers will look at your current BMI. Be aware that some insurers may want to see that your weight has been stable for 12 months before offering the best price.

Final Thoughts From Our Clinical Team

"We often see patients worry that starting a new medication will ruin their chances of getting life insurance. The reality is usually the opposite. Insurers prefer a patient who takes medication to control their blood pressure or cholesterol over someone who ignores the problem. The most dangerous condition to an underwriter is an untreated one. Be honest on your application. Remember that medication is evidence that you are taking control of your health."