Life Insurance · UK Guide 2026

Life insurance for sleep apnoea

A plain-English guide for people with sleep apnoea (most commonly obstructive sleep apnoea, or OSA) who want life insurance in the UK in 2026: whether you can get cover, how underwriting works, what your severity, CPAP treatment and any related conditions mean for your premium, and why honest disclosure matters.

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Quick answer

Can you get life insurance with sleep apnoea?

Yes, in most cases: sleep apnoea is a well-understood condition and many people, especially those with mild or well-treated OSA, can be covered at standard or near-standard rates.
Severity is central: insurers look at how severe your apnoea is, often guided by your Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI), and whether it is mild, moderate or severe.
Treatment counts in your favour: consistent use of CPAP or another prescribed therapy shows the underlying risk is being managed and usually points toward better terms.
Related conditions matter most: sleep apnoea often appears alongside raised blood pressure, weight issues or type 2 diabetes, and it is the overall picture that shapes your premium.

Underwriting factors

How sleep apnoea affects life insurance underwriting

Factor	What insurers consider	Likely effect on terms
Severity	How severe your sleep apnoea is, often summarised by your Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI): broadly mild, moderate or severe	Mild apnoea points toward standard or near-standard terms; moderate or severe apnoea is more likely to attract a loading
Treatment and compliance	Whether you use CPAP or another prescribed therapy, and how consistently you use it	Established, consistent treatment is viewed favourably; untreated or newly diagnosed apnoea can mean a higher loading or a postponed decision
Time on treatment	How long your treatment has been in place and settled, with many insurers looking for a few months of established use	A stable, well-used treatment history supports better terms, particularly for moderate-to-severe apnoea
Related conditions	Linked or co-existing conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes or heart problems	The absence of related conditions is key to the best terms; several together weigh more heavily than apnoea alone
Daytime symptoms	Ongoing excessive daytime sleepiness and any impact on driving or safety	Well-controlled symptoms support standard terms; significant ongoing sleepiness can increase the loading
Disclosure	Full, accurate answers about your diagnosis, severity, treatment and related health	Honest disclosure keeps cover valid; non-disclosure can mean a claim is reduced or refused

Indicative only — how sleep apnoea is assessed varies between insurers and depends on your individual medical history. Not a quote.

How it works

Severity, treatment and related conditions

When you apply, an insurer will ask about your sleep apnoea in detail: the type and severity (obstructive sleep apnoea is by far the most common), how it was diagnosed, what treatment you use and whether you have any related conditions. Many people manage OSA with a CPAP machine, which keeps the airway open during sleep; consistent use is seen as good management of the underlying risk. Insurers often look for treatment that has been established and settled for a few months, particularly where apnoea is moderate or severe, before offering their best terms. They may request a GP report to confirm the details. Mild, well-treated apnoea with no related conditions is viewed favourably, and the difference is usually reflected in your premium rather than an automatic refusal.

Two applicants with sleep apnoea can be offered very different terms, which is why comparing insurers matters. Apnoea also commonly appears alongside other conditions, so it is worth reading our guide to life insurance with pre-existing conditions and, where relevant to you, life insurance with high blood pressure or life insurance for diabetics. For how time off work due to ill health is handled separately, see income protection, and browse the full life insurance hub for related guides.

Cost

What cover costs with sleep apnoea in general terms

There is no single price. As with any life insurance, your premium is built from your age, the cover amount, the term and your health. For sleep apnoea, the key drivers are how severe the condition is and how well it is treated: mild apnoea, or moderate-to-severe apnoea that is well managed with consistent CPAP use and no related conditions, keeps premiums closest to standard rates, while higher severity, untreated apnoea, or co-existing conditions add a loading — an increase expressed as a percentage of the standard premium. Term cover is generally far cheaper than whole-of-life. Because outcomes vary so much between insurers, getting more than one quote is especially worthwhile if you have sleep apnoea.

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Disclosure

Why honest disclosure matters

It is essential to answer every health question fully and accurately. If you leave out or understate your sleep apnoea, its severity, your treatment or any related conditions, the insurer may reduce or refuse a claim later, which defeats the purpose of having cover. Disclosing sleep apnoea does not usually mean you cannot get insured — in most cases it simply lets the insurer offer terms that genuinely hold up at claim time. If you are unsure how to present your medical history, a specialist broker can help you apply to the most suitable insurer. Explore the life insurance hub for guides by age, health and cover type, including options such as life insurance with no medical exam.

Common questions

Life insurance for sleep apnoea: FAQs

Can I get life insurance if I have sleep apnoea?

In most cases, yes. Sleep apnoea is a well-understood condition, and many people — especially those with mild or well-treated obstructive sleep apnoea — can be covered at standard or near-standard rates. The terms depend on the severity, your treatment and any related conditions, and some insurers take a more favourable view than others, so comparing quotes is worthwhile.

Is life insurance more expensive with sleep apnoea?

Not always. Mild apnoea, or moderate-to-severe apnoea that is well managed with consistent treatment and no related conditions, may attract standard or near-standard terms. Higher severity, untreated apnoea, or co-existing conditions such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes can lead to a loading on the premium. The exact effect varies between insurers and depends on your individual medical history.

Does using a CPAP machine help my application?

Yes, generally it does. Consistent use of CPAP, or another prescribed therapy, shows the insurer that the underlying risk is being managed, which usually points toward better terms. You should never stop or change treatment to affect an application; established, well-used treatment is viewed positively.

What is the AHI and why does it matter?

The Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) is a measure used to summarise how severe your sleep apnoea is, broadly grouping it into mild, moderate or severe. Insurers use severity as a central factor: milder apnoea generally attracts more favourable terms, while more severe apnoea is more likely to involve a loading, particularly if it is untreated or accompanied by related conditions.

Will I need a medical exam?

Not necessarily. Many applications are assessed from the health questions and, where needed, a GP report confirming your diagnosis, severity and treatment. Some insurers may request further information for larger sums or more severe cases. Details of your treatment history can help support your application.

Do I have to tell the insurer about my sleep apnoea?

Yes. You must disclose your sleep apnoea, its severity, your treatment and any related conditions fully and accurately. Non-disclosure can lead to a claim being reduced or refused. Honest disclosure lets the insurer offer terms that will actually pay out when needed.

What if my sleep apnoea was only recently diagnosed?

A recent diagnosis is not a barrier in itself, but some insurers prefer to see treatment that has been established and settled for a few months, particularly for moderate-to-severe apnoea, before offering their best terms. In some cases an insurer may offer cover straight away, while another may prefer to wait, so comparing options is worthwhile.

Can a specialist broker help?

It can help. Some insurers and brokers specialise in cover for people with conditions like sleep apnoea, and can often arrange cover, or better terms, where a general insurer might decline or load heavily. Comparing options is the practical way to find the most suitable terms.

Information only — not medical or financial advice. My Insurance Expert is not an FCA-authorised intermediary and does not arrange or sell policies. Specialist insurers and brokers cater for people with sleep apnoea. Last updated: 2026-06-22

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