Insurance
Finding suitable insurance can be challenging when living with a health condition such as cavernoma. The information on this page has been provided by Cura Insurance, a UK-based broker experienced in supporting people with medical conditions.
Notice: CAUK shares this for general information only. We are not affiliated with or endorsing Cura Insurance. CAUK accepts no responsibility for any decisions made based on this information. Please seek independent advice before arranging insurance.
Message from Cura Insurance: We are an insurance broker firm helping people to arrange life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection within the UK. There are lots of ways to arrange these policies and we are here to take the hassle away from you.
It’s very important to manage expectations when it comes to getting insurance when someone is living with a health condition. There are times when insurances are available, sometimes they may cost more and unfortunately there are situations where the insurers will not offer cover.
Our team of advisers are all trained in insurance and also medical conditions, so we know the best ways to help you to get the best insurance. Our contact details are on our Cura Insurance website if you would like a no obligation conversation.
Please note that the information below is focused upon personal insurance options that you arrange and pay for yourself. There can sometimes be better options arranged through your employer.
Life insurance
Life insurance is often one of the more affordable types of cover, but if you have a cavernoma, insurers are likely to increase premiums above the basic rate. Some policies may be available without a premium increase, though these often include broad exclusions for pre-existing conditions, which are best avoided where possible.
Insurers will usually ask for details such as:
- Date of diagnosis
- Location and size of the cavernoma
- Most recent MRI and any changes
- History of surgery or bleeds
- Number of cavernomas
- Any related conditions (e.g. epilepsy)
Some insurers may not offer cover if the cavernoma is still present or was only recently diagnosed, as they often prefer to see stability over time.
Premiums vary widely depending on age, cover amount, and individual health circumstances. It’s worth researching multiple insurers before applying. Most will ask for your consent to contact your GP for medical records, which can take from a few weeks to several months.
Critical illness cover
Critical illness cover can be more difficult to arrange, as some of the conditions included on these policies are more likely to occur in people with a cavernoma. In many cases, insurers may be unable to offer this type of cover, but it is always worth asking, as decisions vary between companies.
If critical illness cover isn’t available, there are alternative products worth exploring – such as cancer-specific policies or cash-based health plans, which may include benefits suited to your needs.
Some employers also offer critical illness cover as part of their benefits package, with the option to pay for inclusion. These can be excellent policies, but they usually exclude pre-existing conditions, so it’s important to check carefully what is and isn’t covered.
Income protection
Income protection is often overlooked, but it can be an important way to safeguard your earnings if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.
It’s important to understand that most income protection policies exclude claims related to pre-existing conditions, including cavernoma. These exclusions may be permanent or apply until a certain period has passed without symptoms, treatment, or check-ups.
While some specialist options may cover pre-existing conditions, these are less common and usually require advice from an experienced broker.
You may already have some income protection through your employer, known as a group income protection scheme. If so, it’s worth checking with your HR department to confirm what is and isn’t covered.
Travel insurance
You should always inform your travel insurance provider about your cavernoma. This ensures you’re properly covered in case of any medical issues while travelling. For detailed advice, consider speaking directly with an insurance advisor rather than relying solely on online forms.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, we can’t recommend any company specifically, but can share that Just Travel Cover are known to support people with long-term health conditions and are open to covering rare conditions such as cavernoma. Other providers are also available and we would recommend getting multiple quotes.