A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply and vital nutrients to your brain. Most strokes are caused by a blockage of arteries leading to the brain; others are caused when a blood vessel bursts and bleeds into brain tissue.
Any stroke is regarded as a medical emergency. It can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability and even death. Signs of a stroke include sudden weakness and severe headaches, paralysis, difficulty with sight and speech and numbness on one side of the face or body.
Yes. All causes of death are generally covered by life insurance, including strokes.
When you buy a policy, it's also worth checking if there are waiting periods for causes of death. A waiting period is the time you have to serve before you can be covered. Generally, the only waiting period that applies to life insurance is in relation to suicide. Otherwise, most will cover all causes of death after the cover commencement day. To be sure though, you can ask the insurer about waiting periods.
It can be difficult depending on the severity of your condition, but it's possible. A stroke is considered a pre-existing medical condition, so it's crucial that you let the insurer know about it. Otherwise, you risk future claims being rejected. That's also why it's best to go with a brand that provides medical underwriting.
Once you've let them know about your condition, one of the following is likely to happen:
If you're struggling to find a policy, it's worth speaking with an adviser to find out the best way for you to get cover with a pre-existing condition. They can be helpful because they know the ins and outs of the industry and they aren't tied to one company so are able to offer you quotes from multiple companies.
Your life insurance premiums are based on your health, occupation and lifestyle at the time you take out a policy – not whilst you have a policy. So once your cover is in place, and you've honestly disclosed all the necessary information, future changes usually should not affect your premiums or your policy's status.
The only reason it can change is if you want to alter or update your policy. At this time, you'll need to go through the underwriting process again.
Yes. You need to disclose that you've had a stroke before taking out cover because it's a pre-existing medical condition which you need to declare.
But it shouldn't stop you from getting cover. Asking questions about your health are all part of the underwriting process insurers use to work out how much you'll need to pay. They'll also take into account your family medical history, your age, occupation and lifestyle habits.
Yes. If you've had a stroke, the last thing you want to do is assume that life insurance isn't worth it. If anything, it's a reminder of just how important it is to have your and your loved ones' financial future secured.
The cost of your cover will be based on the severity and type of stroke you had, so it's crucial you're truthful or you risk invalidating your policy. But even if your policy costs more because of your condition, it's a price worth paying if you don't want to leave your family with lots of debt and expenses to pay.
You pay the same price as buying directly from the life insurer.
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