Critical Illness Cover for Multiple Sclerosis

If you're looking for an insurance policy to protect you financially in the event of a serious condition like multiple sclerosis (MS), critical illness cover could offer peace of mind. Here, we explore how critical illness cover works for MS, how insurers view neurological conditions, and where to get the best insurance quotes.

Does critical illness cover pay out for multiple sclerosis?

Yes, in most cases, critical illness cover includes multiple sclerosis (MS) as an acceptable condition for a claim. However, insurers will follow specific definitions to determine whether your MS diagnosis meets the payout criteria. You’ll usually need to show evidence of a definite diagnosis by a consultant neurologist.

During a claim for MS, insurers will want to see medical evidence such as neurological examination results, MRI scans showing lesions in the central nervous system, and a confirmed diagnosis of ongoing neurological impairment.

How your application gets assessed

When you apply for critical illness cover, insurers will usually carry out a detailed health and lifestyle assessment to determine your level of risk for conditions like MS.

Here are some key areas insurers will consider when it comes to your eligibility and premiums:

• Health and medical history: You’ll be asked about any previous symptoms associated with MS, such as vision problems, numbness or tingling, or coordination issues. Insurers will also want to know about any referrals to neurologists or past neurological investigations.

• Family medical history: If MS or other autoimmune or neurological conditions run in your family, particularly with immediate relatives like parents or siblings, insurers may consider this a risk factor. This is especially relevant if family members were diagnosed at a younger age.

• Neurological conditions: Each insurer will have definitions for what type of neurological diagnoses are covered. In most cases, only a confirmed MS diagnosis (relapsing-remitting, primary progressive, or secondary progressive) will be accepted. Isolated symptoms or unconfirmed diagnoses may not.

• BMI and lifestyle: Your Body Mass Index (BMI) will be noted (based on your height and weight) to get an idea of your general health. Lifestyle habits like whether you’re a smoker, if you drink alcohol, and how physically active you are can impact your assessment, especially if there are other health concerns.

• Your age: MS is more commonly diagnosed between 20 and 50 years of age. Insurers may look more closely if you’re in this age bracket and applying for cover. The older you are, the more likely you are to have developed or shown signs of neurological decline, which could impact your premiums.

• Other health conditions: If you have related health conditions, like lupus, thyroid disease, or other autoimmune disorders, these may increase your overall risk of MS or complicate the assessment for critical illness cover.

Will you pay more if you are at high risk of MS?

In most cases, yes. Insurers will assess your application and any risk factors before you take out a policy. Typically, if you’re more at risk of developing MS, you’ll pay more for critical illness cover due to the increased likelihood of making a claim.

However, this isn’t always the case. Each insurer will have unique methods of calculating risk, and it’s worth finding the insurer that will treat you most favourably. Also, there are ‘guaranteed acceptance’ critical illness policies that don’t require medical underwriting. However, this cover is usually limited in terms of benefits.

How to get a quote online

If you’re looking to compare critical illness cover quotes online, you might find it complex and confusing. Various neurological and health-related factors can impact your options and premiums, and the right policy will depend on your circumstances.

An insurance adviser can quickly provide accurate quotes, guide you on topics like the medical history requirements for various insurers, or offer insight into policy definitions for critical illness cover and MS.

If you’d like a free, no-obligation chat with an adviser specialising in MS and critical illness cover, you can get started here:

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Getting critical illness cover with an existing MS diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with MS, getting critical illness cover can be more challenging or costly, but it’s still a possibility. Insurers will want to know when you received your diagnosis, your type of MS (e.g. relapsing-remitting vs. primary progressive), the frequency of relapses, and what treatment or medication you’re on.

Critical illness cover might come with increased premiums or exclusions for neurological conditions if you have MS. It’s usually best to speak with an adviser who can look at arranging tailored cover with a specialist insurer.

Best UK providers with cover for MS

While most critical illness cover in the UK includes MS, the exact definitions and eligibility requirements will vary. Some insurers offer more comprehensive protection for neurological conditions than others.

The best provider to use for critical illness cover for MS will depend on a variety of factors unique to your situation, but here are a few examples of popular UK insurers that will pay out for MS:

• Aviva: With Aviva's critical illness protection, you get cover for 52 conditions, including multiple sclerosis. A claim requires a definite diagnosis by a consultant neurologist and evidence of continuing symptoms or MRI scans showing changes in the brain or spinal cord.

• Legal & General: You need to survive for at least 14 days following an MS diagnosis to claim on Legal & General’s critical illness cover. A consultant neurologist must confirm the diagnosis, with documentation showing continuing neurological signs and functional impact.

• LV=: Liverpool Victoria’s critical illness cover includes MS, covering 38 conditions in total. MS must be confirmed by a consultant neurologist with evidence of progressive symptoms. Policies exclude claims for temporary or non-persistent neurological symptoms.

If you want a better idea of the best UK critical illness providers for MS based on your needs and circumstances, it’s worth having a brief discussion with an insurance adviser to see your options.

Why choose Teito for your critical illness cover?

Finding the best critical illness cover isn’t always straightforward. Your individual circumstances, medical history, and lifestyle will be unique, but expert support ensures you get protection that works for you, at a reasonable cost.

Our experienced advisers can find the most suitable and affordable critical illness cover for your needs, with comprehensive protection for neurological conditions like MS. They can do this because they know which insurers can offer the best critical illness options for conditions like multiple sclerosis.

Here are some more of the reasons people choose us for their critical illness cover:

• We can get bespoke quotes for critical illness cover for MS

• Our advisers have 5-star ratings on leading review websites

• Your first chat is free, with no obligation to proceed

• Access to specialist insurers with tailored medical underwriting

Ready to take advantage of a free, no-obligation chat with an adviser specialising in critical illness cover for MS? Get started here.