Life insurance if you have a pacemaker

You can get life insurance if you have a pacemaker, but you'll probably pay a little more for cover.

Life Insurance

In some circumstances, you'll have to pay higher premiums, depending on your condition, but you should be able to get cover.

Am I covered by life insurance if I have a pacemaker?

Life insurance
Yes. All causes of death are generally covered by life insurance. You'll have to let the insurer know that you have a pacemaker, which may increase the amount you'll pay, depending on your condition, but you should be able to get cover.

Otherwise, they'll let you know. You can also check the product disclosure statement (PDS) for exclusions and ask the insurer directly.

Compare providers that cover pacemaker use

We found 10 policies in Australia that cover you if you have a pacemaker. During the application process, it's important you let the insurer know about your pacemaker so that you can get cover tailored to your needs.

Product Finder Score Maximum Cover Funeral Benefit Optional TPD Cover Optional Trauma Cover
Medibank Life Insurance logo
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$2.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$15,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
  • When applying, you are asked to sign a declaration confirming that you've provided all relevant details about your health and any pre-existing conditions.
  • The information you disclose about your pre-existing condition will determine the cover you may receive, including claims.
  • AAMI Life Insurance  logo
    Finder score
    Maximum Cover
    $1.5 million
    Funeral Benefit
    $10,000
    Optional TPD Cover
    Optional Trauma Cover
  • You will be asked questions on your income, lifestyle and health during the application process.
  • The level of cover you receive for pre-existing conditions is assessed on a case by case basis.
  • Suncorp Life Insurance logo
    Finder score
    Maximum Cover
    $1.5 million
    Funeral Benefit
    $10,000
    Optional TPD Cover
    Optional Trauma Cover
  • You will be asked questions on your income, lifestyle and health during the application process.
  • The level of cover you receive for pre-existing conditions is assessed on a case by case basis.
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    Finder Score - Life Insurance

    Life Insurance is a little complicated and a lot overwhelming. That's why we made the Finder Score, to make it easier to compare Life Insurance products against each other. Our experts analysed over 30 products and gave each one a score between 1 and 10.

    But a higher score doesn't always mean a product is better for you. Your situation is unique, so your policy choice will be too. Don't think of Finder Score as the final word, but as a good place to start your life insurance comparison.

    Read full Finder Score methodology

    Why compare life insurance with Finder?

    • You pay the same price as buying directly from the life insurer.

    • We're not owned by an insurer (unlike other comparison sites).

    • We've done 100+ hours of policy research to help you understand what you're comparing.

    Can I get life insurance if I have a pacemaker?

    Yes, it's possible to get life insurance if you have a pacemaker, particularly if it's helping you to live a normal, healthy lifestyle. However, because most people have a pacemaker due to a heart condition, it's very likely you'll be charged more. If you're struggling to find cover, keep in mind:

    Clock

    How long you've had a pacemaker

    The longer the better, provided that you've had no symptoms related to your heart condition. This is because life insurance providers want to know that the pacemaker has had a positive overall impact on your health.

    Expert man icon

    You can speak to an adviser

    Having an irregular heart rhythm and a pacemaker is considered a pre-existing medical condition. Advisers can be helpful because they know what to look for and they're not tied to one insurance provider.

    Speak to an insurance specialist to help you find personalised cover

    Do I have to let my insurer know if I get a pacemaker while I have cover?

    When you apply for a policy, your premiums are worked out based on your current health, lifestyle, age and job. If any of those things change once your policy has been accepted, which they inevitably will, you don't generally need to inform your insurer.

    However, if you want to update or alter your policy – say you want to increase your life insurance benefit - then you will have to provide updated personal information, including that you've got a pacemaker.

    Do I have to declare that I have a pacemaker before taking out cover?

    ✅ Yes. You need to let your insurer know about your pacemaker and heart condition or you risk invalidating your cover, meaning that any future claim you make will likely be rejected. It's crucial that you're honest.

    When you take out life insurance, you'll usually have to provide a detailed account of your medical history. This often requires some kind of medical exam to assess your health. It's essentially to help the provider determine how much of a risk you are to insure and work out how much to charge you.

    You'll also be asked questions about your:

    • Overall health
    • Diet, exercise, lifestyle
    • Condition history (e.g. how long you've had the condition and pacemaker)
    • Occupation

    Is it worth getting life insurance if I have a pacemaker?

    Absolutely. Having a pacemaker shouldn't necessarily make it a whole lot more difficult or expensive to get life insurance. If anything, it can show insurers that you've had a heart condition that is now stable thanks to the pacemaker, provided you've not had any symptoms for some time.

    Even if the cost of your cover is increased marginally or considerably, life insurance is really important if you want peace of mind and financial security. It can pay off debts from your mortgage to your car loan and ensures that you're not leaving your loved ones in the lurch.

    Getting life insurance if you have a pacemaker isn't as difficult as you might think. There are policies out there for you. 🔎 Begin comparing here.

    FAQs about life insurance and pacemakers

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    Journalist

    Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio

    Gary Ross's expertise
    Gary Ross has written 622 Finder guides across topics including:
    • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
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