Life Insurance with High Blood Pressure

Find out whether you can buy life insurance with high blood pressure and compare policies with Savvy.

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, updated on July 19th, 2023       

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Life Insurance

We’ve partnered with Compare Club to bring you a range of life insurance policies to help you compare them side by side.

High blood pressure (or hypertension) is a common health condition that affects over one in five Australians above the age of 18, according to the latest National Health Survey in 2017-18. If you’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure, you may be wondering if you can still obtain life insurance and how much it may cost if you’re able to purchase it.

You can compare life insurance policies from some of Australia's leading insurers side-by-side with Savvy. Simply fill out a quick online form and consider offers in one place instantly. Get the process started today by getting a quote for a life insurance policy through us.

Can I purchase life insurance if I have high blood pressure?

It may be possible to purchase life insurance if you have high blood pressure. However, whether you can access coverage will depend on your insurer and whether you satisfy their eligibility criteria. If you have high blood pressure, your insurer is likely to consider this a risk to your health and will charge a higher premium as a result. Alternatively, you may be approved for life insurance with specific inclusions relating to your blood pressure or, in some cases, denied coverage if your condition is severe enough.

When applying for life insurance, it’s important to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, including high blood pressure, as failing to do so could result in your policy being voided in the event of a claim. It may be possible to improve your chances of obtaining more favourable rates by taking steps to manage your blood pressure through lifestyle changes, medication or other treatments recommended by your healthcare provider.

Ultimately, the key to finding appropriate life insurance coverage with high blood pressure is to shop around and compare policies from multiple insurers, which you can do easily through the services of a reputable insurance broker like Savvy.

How much will life insurance cost if I have high blood pressure?

The cost of life insurance can vary depending on several factors. As mentioned, if you have high blood pressure, you’re likely to pay more for your insurance, but some of the other factors which can affect the cost of your coverage include:

  • Age: the older you are, the higher your premiums are likely to be. For instance, someone over 30 will generally pay less for cover than another person over 50.
  • Health: high blood pressure is just one aspect of your overall health that insurers will consider. Other pre-existing health conditions or a history of illness in your family can also impact your premiums or eligibility.
  • Occupation: the riskier your job is deemed to be, the more you’ll pay for cover (some jobs may be deemed uninsurable if they pose too great a risk of injury or illness).
  • Coverage amount: the more coverage you purchase, the higher your premiums will be.
  • Type of policy: different types of policies, such as term life or income protection, have different costs.
  • Smoking: if you smoke, your premiums may be double the cost of those for someone who doesn’t smoke.
  • Lifestyle factors: further factors such as your weight can impact your policy’s cost, as well as whether you partake in any risky activities, such as skydiving.

To help you find the best life insurance rates, it's important to compare policies and quotes from different insurers. You can do this easily through Savvy, which allows you to compare policies side-by-side and get quotes from multiple insurers.

Types of life insurance

Why compare life insurance through Savvy?

Common questions about life insurance for those with high blood pressure

Will I have to complete a medical exam to buy life insurance with high blood pressure?

Depending on the insurer and the coverage amount, a medical exam may be required to purchase life insurance with high blood pressure. However, there may be options available for life insurance without medicals.

Can I buy life insurance if I have diabetes and high blood pressure?

If you have diabetes and high blood pressure, whether you’re able to purchase cover will depend on the severity of each condition and whether you meet their other terms and conditions. In the same way as hypertension on its own, your policy will likely come with high added costs, exclusions or may be denied.

If my blood pressure improves, will my premiums decrease?

It may be possible to lower your premiums if your blood pressure improves, but you’ll need to contact your insurer to discuss any potential rate changes. You’ll need to provide medical evidence of the improvement in the form of a report or letter from your doctor, after which your level of risk may be reassessed by your insurer.

Is there a waiting period for coverage if I have high blood pressure?

Some waiting periods may apply to life insurance policies. For instance, income protection insurance can come with a waiting period of between two weeks and two years, with longer wait periods resulting in lower premiums. Additionally, trauma and total and permanent disability (TPD) may also come with 90-day waiting periods before you’re able to make a claim.

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Disclaimer:

Savvy is partnered with Compare Club Australia Pty Ltd (AFS representative number 001279036) of Alternative Media Pty Ltd (AFS License number 486326) to provide readers with a variety of life insurance policies to compare. Savvy earns a commission from Compare Club each time a customer buys a life insurance policy via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased from these brands directly, as all purchases are conducted via Compare Club.

Savvy does not compare all life insurance policies or providers currently operating in the market. Any advice presented above or on other pages is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an insurance policy.

For any further information on the variety of insurers compared by Compare Club or how their business works, you can read their Financial Services Guide.