Can I get private health insurance with pre-existing conditions?

Yes. Most pre-existing conditions can be covered by UK PMI, either automatically after two symptom-free years (moratorium), by declaration and insurer decision (FMU), or by carrying existing exclusions across from another insurer (CPME). The Exeter Health+ is the standout insurer for challenging histories.

Key numbers

• % of applicants with a pre-existing condition: ~62%
• % covered on moratorium after 2 yrs: ~78%
• Insurer of choice for complex history: The Exeter Health+

What almost always excludes

Active cancer under treatment, advanced heart failure, current pregnancy, chronic renal failure requiring dialysis. What often gets covered: historic mental health (24 months clear), controlled hypertension, well-managed Type 2 diabetes (as a condition, but excluding diabetes-related claims), historic musculoskeletal injuries.

The three routes to cover, ranked

Route one is moratorium: you declare nothing, the insurer excludes anything treated, medicated or investigated in the last five years, and each condition re-enters cover automatically after two continuous clear years. Route two is full medical underwriting: you declare your history up front and receive a written, permanent decision — slower, but you know exactly where you stand from day one. Route three is CPME: if you already hold cover, a new insurer copies your existing exclusions and asks nothing new. If you already have a policy, route three is almost always the best outcome.

How insurers actually read your history

Underwriters care about three things: recency, chronicity and investigation trail. A single episode five years ago with no follow-up is close to invisible. A condition with repeat prescriptions, or an open referral, is treated as ongoing regardless of how mild it feels. Anything under investigation but undiagnosed is the hardest case of all — insurers exclude the symptom and everything it could turn out to be, so it is usually worth waiting for a diagnosis before applying.

Conditions we place regularly

Controlled hypertension and high cholesterol: accepted, cardiac exclusions for 24 months. Historic anxiety or depression, clear two years: usually accepted with no mental-health exclusion on The Exeter and Vitality. Asthma: accepted, respiratory claims excluded. Type 2 diabetes: accepted with diabetes and its complications excluded. Historic cancer, five years clear and discharged: placeable, often with the original site excluded. Crohn's, colitis and other stable autoimmune conditions: placeable on moratorium, chronic maintenance always excluded.

What to do before you apply

Request your GP summary care record — it is free and it is what the insurer will see if you ever claim. Non-disclosure, even accidental, is the leading cause of declined claims in UK PMI. We would rather over-declare and get a written exclusion than under-declare and discover the gap at claim stage.

Underwriting flexibility on pre-existing conditions by insurer

Broker verdict

“We've placed clients with active bipolar, controlled Crohn's, historic breast cancer. The market is far more flexible than aggregators suggest.” — , Head of Operations, PremierPMI

Related questions

Will I be declined outright?

Outright declines are rare in UK PMI. Insurers exclude conditions rather than refuse applicants, so the usual outcome is cover with a written exclusion.

Does a moratorium exclusion ever become permanent?

No. It lifts automatically once you have had two continuous years free of symptoms, treatment, medication and medical advice for that condition.

Should I declare something my GP never diagnosed?

Yes. Declare anything you sought advice about. Insurers underwrite on your medical records, not your memory, and non-disclosure is the main reason claims fail.

Can I insure just the parts of my health that are fine?

That is effectively what happens. Your excluded condition stays with the NHS while the policy funds everything unrelated — which for most clients is the majority of what they will ever claim for.

PremierPMI is a UK private medical insurance broker specialising in whole-of-market placement across 10+ leading UK health insurers including Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Freedom Health, The Exeter, General & Medical and National Friendly. FCA regulated (Tesha Family Ltd, FRN 1029667). Speak to a broker on 020 4525 0884, WhatsApp 020 8064 2273, or email contact@premierpmi.co.uk.