Life Insurance with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis

iving with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can bring uncertainty — not just for your health, but also for financial security. Many Australians with these conditions wonder if they can get life insurance, and at what cost. The good news is that cover is often available, though outcomes depend on your medical history, treatment, and the type of insurance you’re applying for.

How Insurers Assess Crohn’s and Colitis

When you apply for life insurance, insurers look at factors such as:

Diagnosis date – how long you’ve had the condition.
Severity and frequency of flare-ups.
Hospitalisations, surgeries, or complications (e.g., bowel resection, fistulas).
Medication (immunosuppressants, steroids, biologics).
Impact on daily life – time off work, weight loss, anaemia.
Other health factors – smoking, BMI, other autoimmune conditions.

Life Insurance Outcomes

Mild / well-controlled Crohn’s or colitis: Standard rates or small loadings.
Moderate condition: Premium loading or exclusions.
Severe / frequent flare-ups or multiple surgeries: Possible decline for some products, but cover may still be available through specialist insurers.

Income Protection with Crohn’s or Colitis

Income protection can be trickier, as insurers focus on how often your condition impacts work. You may see:

Exclusions for time off due to Crohn’s/colitis flare-ups.
Higher premiums if you’ve had recent sick leave or hospitalisation.
Better outcomes if your condition has been stable for 2+ years.

Trauma & TPD Cover

Trauma insurance: Often excludes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, but may still pay out for unrelated events (e.g., heart attack, cancer).
TPD cover: May still be available, but insurers will look closely at work capacity and prognosis.

Heading 6: Tips for Applying

Apply through a specialist adviser (like Covermate Life) who knows which insurers are more flexible.
Have your medical records ready – including gastroenterologist letters.
If your condition has been stable for years, highlight this in your application.
Don’t assume a decline from one insurer means no cover elsewhere.

How Covermate Life Can Help

At Covermate Life, we help Australians with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis find the right insurance. We know which insurers are most understanding of these conditions and how to structure applications to give you the best chance of approval.

FAQ Section

Q: Can I get life insurance if I have Crohn’s disease?
A: Yes. Many people with Crohn’s disease are approved for cover, especially if the condition is well-managed. Premiums may be higher depending on severity.

Q: Will my policy exclude Crohn’s disease?
A: Income protection and trauma cover may have exclusions, but life insurance usually covers all causes of death, including Crohn’s complications.

Q: Is ulcerative colitis treated differently from Crohn’s disease by insurers?
A: Not significantly. Both are inflammatory bowel diseases, and insurers assess them similarly based on severity and stability.

Q: Can I get cover if I’ve had surgery?
A: Yes, but underwriters will want to know the reason for surgery, recovery outcomes, and whether symptoms persist.