Life insurance when pregnant
Pregnancy can change your priorities, putting the health and financial wellbeing of your growing family first. It’s no surprise that many parents consider taking out life insurance when pregnant.
Here are the answers to questions you might have on life insurance during pregnancy.
Pregnancy can change your priorities, putting the health and financial wellbeing of your growing family first. It’s no surprise that many parents consider taking out life insurance when pregnant.
Here are the answers to questions you might have on life insurance during pregnancy.
Can I get life insurance when pregnant?
Yes, you can still take out a life insurance policy when pregnant. Applying for a life insurance policy during pregnancy is just the same as at any other time. You’ll still be asked the same questions.
It’s natural to start thinking about your family’s future when you’re expecting a child. And alongside the intense feelings of joy and excitement, it’s understandable you might experience worries about who would take care of your growing family if you died.
Taking out a life insurance policy can offer peace of mind that your family will be taken care of financially after you’ve gone.
If you already have life insurance in place, pregnancy is a good time to revisit your policy and make sure it still works for your future needs.
Why is life insurance important if you’re pregnant?
Figures from the Childhood Bereavement Network estimate that, sadly, around 26,900 parents with dependent children die each year in the UK. Shockingly, that means a parent dies every 20 minutes.
It’s not something any of us want to think about happening to us or our families. But having life insurance can mean your kids are financially cared for if you pass away.
Even with two parents, bringing up children is not cheap. A life insurance pay out could help your bereaved family stay on their feet financially by:
- Helping to pay off the mortgage.
- Covering your family’s everyday living expenses, utility bills and rent.
- Paying for childcare costs, for example nursery or childminder fees.
- Paying for older children to have private tutoring or attend an independent school.
- Paying for extracurricular activities for your children, so they won’t miss out on their chosen after-school hobbies and clubs.
Our life insurance calculator can help you work out what pregnancy insurance cover you’ll need to make sure your loved ones are taken care of financially.
Do I have to tell my insurance provider I’m pregnant?
If you already have life insurance and you become pregnant, you’re not obliged to tell your insurance provider about your pregnancy.
However, if you apply for life insurance during pregnancy, you must tell your insurance provider that you’re pregnant.
You also need to tell your insurance provider if you suffer from any existing medical conditions, including those related to your pregnancy. 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.
Top tipIf you already have life insurance in place when you become pregnant, you don’t need to notify your insurance provider. However, pregnancy could be a good time to reassess your life insurance policy and make sure that it meets the needs of your growing family. |
Can pregnancy medical conditions affect life insurance quotes?
If you’re suffering from any pregnancy-related medical problems when you apply for a policy, some insurance providers may choose not to cover you until after the birth of your baby. The cover you’re offered may also be affected.
For example, insurance providers might put your policy application on hold if you’re experiencing any of the following pregnancy complications:
- Anaemia
- High blood pressure
- Gestational diabetes.
Don’t conceal any medical conditions affecting your health during pregnancy. If your insurance provider finds that you failed to disclose information, they could cancel your policy or reduce/refuse the pay-out on any claim.
Top tipAs well as getting life insurance, pregnancy is a good time to consider writing a will. This will allow you to nominate chosen legal guardians for your child. And if you and your partner are unmarried, it also gives you the opportunity to name them as a beneficiary. Without a will, a cohabiting partner doesn’t have the automatic right to inherit under rules of intestacy as married and civil partners do. |
What details do I need to give when applying for life insurance when pregnant?
When pregnant, insurance providers will ask you the same questions about your general health as if you weren’t pregnant. These include questions about your lifestyle habits.
They’ll want to know if you suffer from any existing medical conditions and if you have a family history of certain medical conditions.
It’s important you answer honestly and give an accurate account of your health history. Here’s some clarification on the details that may be confusing for customers applying during pregnancy:
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 vapes 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 past five years.
This is because insurance providers want a clear understanding of your typical lifestyle habits.
Will pregnancy increase my life insurance premiums?
Your life insurance premiums won’t necessarily cost more if you apply when pregnant. The cost you’re quoted for life insurance will reflect the information you provide on:
- Your general health
- Any existing medical conditions
- Your family medical history
- Your lifestyle habits.
If you have a trouble-free pregnancy, it shouldn’t affect the cost of your life insurance premiums.
To give you a guide, 51% of our under 30-year-old, non-smoker customers could achieve a premium of £4.20 per month[1] for their 10-year decreasing term life insurance policy – with up to £175,000 of cover.
However, if you develop a pregnancy-related medical condition, such as gestational diabetes, this could affect the cost of your life insurance premiums temporarily.
[1] 51% of our under 30-year-old, non-smoker customers were quoted less than £4.20 per month for their 10-year decreasing term life insurance policy, up to £175k worth of cover, no critical illness cover in June 2024.
Is getting life insurance for pregnancy the right choice for me?
When deciding whether life insurance is right for you and your baby, it’s a good idea to take stock of your financial situation and consider the significant costs of raising a child.
The Child Poverty Action Group estimates that as of 2023, it would cost a lone parent over £220,000 to raise a child from birth to 18.
It’s worth considering how your family would cope without you or your partner’s income. If you plan on not working after your baby is born, consider the childcare costs that would enable your partner to work if something happened to you.
You’ll then need to weigh up whether it’s worth budgeting for life insurance now for future peace of mind.
It’s important to say that life insurance is a commitment. You’ll need to keep paying your premiums to stay covered. If you miss a payment, your policy may be cancelled.
What are the alternatives to life insurance when pregnant?
When pregnant, life insurance isn’t the only option to safeguard your family’s financial future. You could also consider:
- Income protection insurance: if you’re the main breadwinner in your family, this could replace your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury. Bear in mind that this type of cover won’t pay out if you die.
- Critical illness cover: designed to pay out if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness or injury that’s covered by the policy.
- Mortgage protection cover: a type of life insurance that could pay out a lump sum to clear your mortgage if you die. This type of cover is typically sold as a decreasing term policy, meaning that the pay-out will reduce over time as you gradually pay off your mortgage.
- Accidental death cover: generally cheaper than standard life insurance and may be useful if you work in a particularly hazardous environment. But bear in mind that it will only pay out if you’re involved in a fatal accident.
- Life insurance from your employer: before you take out a life insurance policy, it’s worth checking if your employment includes a ‘death in service’ benefit. This will provide a pay-out to your named beneficiaries if you die while working for the company.
How easy is it to get a quote for life insurance when pregnant?
Getting a life insurance quote when pregnant is just as easy as at any other time. 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 and protect your growing family.
Frequently asked questions
Is there specific insurance for pregnancy?
No, there are no specific life insurance or health insurance plans for pregnancy. Pregnancy is not considered an illness or a pre-existing medical condition, so your application will be considered in the same way it would if you weren’t pregnant.
When is the best time to buy life insurance when pregnant?
The best time to buy life insurance when you’re pregnant is probably during the first trimester – the earlier, the better. It will also ensure you have cover if any complications should arise later in your pregnancy.
Can I get life insurance as a stay-at-home parent?
Yes, you can get life insurance if you decide to stop working and stay at home after your baby is born. Even if you’re no longer earning, your contribution to the household is as valuable as ever.
If you don’t take out cover during your pregnancy, life insurance for new parents is certainly something you and your partner might want to consider.
Can I get joint life insurance when pregnant?
Yes, if you prefer, you and your partner could take out a joint life insurance policy together. It often works out cheaper than buying two separate policies.
However, a joint policy will only pay out once. If one of you dies, the surviving partner will receive a lump sum, then the policy will be cancelled.
Should I review my life insurance once my baby is born?
The birth of your child is a very good time to review your life insurance. It’s advisable to reassess your cover every now and again, to ensure it meets your needs. This is especially important after a big life change, such as having a baby, moving home, marriage or divorce.
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