Insurance Curator 
Applying for life cover when you have asthma, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol can feel daunting. You might worry about being declined or facing sky-high premiums. The truth is, insurers see these conditions every day—and most people can still get affordable cover.
In this guide, we’ll break down how each condition affects your application, what underwriters actually look for, and the steps you can take to improve your chances. You are not alone, and cover is almost always possible.
If you want a deeper understanding of how insurers assess pre-existing conditions, check out our complete guide on Life Insurance with Pre-existing Conditions in the UK: What Insurers Really Look at.
How Asthma Affects Your Life Cover
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions in the UK. Over 5 million people have it, so insurers have plenty of data to work with.
What insurers want to know:
- How old were you when diagnosed?
- Do you use a preventer inhaler daily, or only a reliever?
- Have you been hospitalised for asthma in the last 2–5 years?
- Do you smoke? (Smoking and asthma significantly increase risk.)
Most well-controlled asthma leads to standard rates or a small extra premium. Severe or poorly controlled asthma, especially with hospital admissions, may result in a loading of 25–75%.
| Asthma Severity | Typical Underwriting Outcome |
|---|---|
| Mild, occasional reliever use | Standard rates |
| Moderate, daily preventer | Small loading (10–25%) |
| Severe, frequent attacks/hospitalisation | Loading 50–100% or possible decline |
If you have asthma and other conditions like diabetes, the insurer will assess the combined risk. For more on diabetes underwriting, read Life Insurance for People with Diabetes: Type 1 vs Type 2 Underwriting Explained.
High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) and Life Cover
About one in three adults in the UK has high blood pressure. Many don’t even know it. Insurers will ask for your latest readings and medication details.
Key factors underwriters consider:
- Your current blood pressure reading (ideally below 140/90 mmHg)
- How long you’ve had hypertension
- Whether it’s controlled with medication
- Any related complications (heart disease, kidney issues)
Controlled hypertension with readings consistently under 140/90 usually means standard rates. Higher readings or a history of heart trouble can add a loading of 25–75%.
- Tip: Take your medication as prescribed and get your BP checked regularly. Even a few months of good readings can improve your offer.
Prepare your medical records before applying. See our guide on How to Prepare for Medical Underwriting: Documents, GP Reports, and Honest Answers.
High Cholesterol and Life Cover
High cholesterol is extremely common and often doesn’t affect your premiums if it’s well managed. Insurers look at your total cholesterol, HDL/LDL ratio, and whether you’re on statins.
What matters most:
- Total cholesterol level (ideally under 5 mmol/L)
- HDL (“good”) cholesterol above 1.0 mmol/L
- Whether you have other risk factors (smoking, diabetes, family history)
- Your age and overall cardiovascular health
Most people with high cholesterol on statins and no other issues get standard rates. If your cholesterol is very high or you have a history of heart attacks, you may face a loading.
You can actively improve your risk profile by diet, exercise, and medication compliance. Read our practical advice in Improving Your Risk Profile before Applying: Practical Moves for Cheaper Acceptance.
Combined Conditions: Asthma + Blood Pressure + Cholesterol
Having more than one condition doesn’t automatically mean you’ll be declined. It increases the complexity, but many insurers specialise in multi-condition underwriting.
The insurer will weigh each condition separately and then combine them. For example, mild asthma plus controlled hypertension and cholesterol may result in a small combined loading of 25–50%, or sometimes standard rates if all are well managed.
Key steps when you have multiple conditions:
- Work with a specialist broker who knows which insurers are lenient on combinations.
- Provide a full picture of your health—don’t hide anything.
- Consider a reviewable policy that reduces premiums if your health improves.
Find out why a specialist broker can make all the difference: Specialist Life Insurance Brokers for Pre-existing Conditions: When to Use One.
Practical Steps to Get Covered (Even with Common Conditions)
- Get your health under control. Follow your doctor’s advice, take medications, and monitor your numbers.
- Gather your medical history. Have your GP summary ready—reading levels, diagnoses, prescriptions.
- Work with a specialist broker. They know which insurers are more lenient for asthma, BP, and cholesterol.
- Be honest on your application. Lying can lead to rejection or a void policy later.
- Consider a guaranteed acceptance policy if all else fails. These are more expensive but available regardless of health.
For a deeper dive into what insurers look for, check out our cornerstone article: Life Insurance with Pre-existing Conditions in the Uk: What Insurers Really Look at.
Two Essential Resources for Your Journey
To help you navigate life insurance with these conditions, two top-rated books stand out.
Life Insurance Made Simple ($34.99, Rating 4.8) — A clear, practical guide for every stage of life. Perfect for understanding how policies work and what to ask your adviser.
How the Wealthy Would Grow YOUR Money ($4.95, Rating 5.0) — Reveals how life insurance can protect your family and build tax‑free wealth, even with pre‑existing conditions.
What If You’re Declined? Don’t Panic.
A decline for one insurer doesn’t mean you can’t get cover. Many insurers specialise in high-risk or pre-existing conditions. You can also explore:
- Alternative products like whole-of-life or over-50s plans.
- Smaller sum assured with a loading instead of a full decline.
Learn your next steps in What to Do if You’re Declined for Life Insurance: Appeals, Alternatives, and Next Steps.
Final Thoughts
Asthma, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are common and manageable. They don’t have to stop you from getting life cover. With the right preparation, honest disclosure, and a specialist broker, you can secure affordable protection for your loved ones.
Start by improving your health metrics—then reach out to an expert who understands your situation. Cover is possible, and it’s often more affordable than you think.