Life insurance during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a life-changing experience. Your priorities change, with the health and financial wellbeing of your growing family to think about.

It’s no surprise then, that many parents consider taking out life insurance during pregnancy.

Here are the answers to questions you may have on life insurance and pregnancy.

Kamran Altaf

From the Life team

minute read

posted 31 MARCH 2020

Can I still qualify for life insurance during pregnancy?

You can still qualify for life insurance during pregnancy. Applying for a life insurance policy when you’re pregnant is just the same as at any other time. You’ll still be asked the same questions.

If you already have a life insurance policy, you might want to consider increasing the pay-out amounts, to cover the future needs of your growing family.

If you don’t already have life insurance, the start of your pregnancy could be a good time to take out a policy.

Just be aware that, if you have any pregnancy-related medical problems, some insurance providers might put the policy application on hold, until after the birth of your baby.

Common medical conditions during pregnancy can include:

anaemia
high blood pressure
gestational diabetes

Do I have to tell my insurance provider I’m pregnant?

Yes, you must tell your insurance provider that you’re pregnant.

Full disclosure and transparency are essential. If you fail to tell your insurance provider about your condition, it could invalidate your policy if you need to make a claim.

What type of questions will my insurance provider ask?

As with all life insurance applications, it’s most likely an insurance provider will ask you questions about your general health, including lifestyle habits.

It’s important you answer honestly and give an accurate account of your health history.

Weight

You’re going to gain weight as your pregnancy progresses. Insurance providers understand this, and in most cases, they’ll ask for your pre-pregnancy weight.

Smoking

If you smoked before you became pregnant, and have recently given up, you still need to tell your insurance provider.

In most cases, you’ll need to have been smoke-free for at least a year before you can declare yourself as a non-smoker. This includes e-cigarettes and other nicotine replacement products.

Alcohol consumption

Most women avoid alcohol during pregnancy. However, you’ll still be asked questions about your alcohol consumption and whether it’s changed over the last five years.

This is because insurance providers want a clear understanding of your typical lifestyle habits.

Will my life insurance premiums cost more?

Your life insurance premiums won’t necessarily cost more. If you have a trouble-free pregnancy, you may find that the cost of your premium remains the same.

If you develop a pregnancy-related medical condition, gestational diabetes for example, your insurance provider might add a temporary increase to your premium until your health is back to normal.

How easy is it to get a life insurance quote?

Getting a life insurance quote during pregnancy is just as easy as at any other time.

Our quick and simple comparison tool will help you choose from a range of suitable quotes in around three minutes**.

You’ll also be able to read the terms and conditions of each policy, so you can find out exactly what limits and exclusions there are. Get a quote today.

**On average it can take less than three minutes  to complete a life insurance quote through Compare the Market, based on data in February 2020.