Life Insurance · UK Guide 2026

Life insurance with depression and anxiety

A plain-English guide for people living with depression or anxiety who want life insurance in the UK in 2026: whether you can get cover, how underwriting works, what severity, episodes, treatment and stability mean for your premium, and why honest disclosure matters.

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Quick answer

Can you get life insurance with depression or anxiety?

Yes, in most cases: depression and anxiety are among the most common conditions insurers see, and mild, well-managed cases are routinely covered at standard or near-standard rates.
It is underwritten on severity: insurers look at how severe your condition is, how many episodes you have had, your current treatment and how long you have been stable.
Premiums may be loaded: mild, well-controlled conditions often attract standard terms, while more severe or recurrent illness can mean a loading on the premium.
History matters most: any hospital admission, crisis intervention or self-harm history has the biggest effect on terms, and honest disclosure keeps cover valid.

Underwriting factors

How depression and anxiety affect life insurance underwriting

Factor	What insurers consider	Likely effect on terms
Severity and type	Whether your depression or anxiety is mild, moderate or severe, and the specific diagnosis	Mild, well-managed conditions point toward standard or near-standard terms; severe illness increases the loading
Episodes and recurrence	How many episodes you have had and whether they are isolated or recurring	A single past episode is viewed more favourably than frequent, recurring episodes
Hospitalisation or self-harm	Any hospital admission, crisis intervention, or history of self-harm or suicidal thoughts	This has the biggest effect on terms and can lead to a larger loading or, for some insurers, a postponement
Treatment and stability	Your current medication or therapy, treatment compliance, and how long you have been stable	Stable, consistently managed conditions support better terms; recent changes or instability can raise the loading
Time off work and functioning	Whether the condition has affected your ability to work or carry out daily activities	Little or no impact on day-to-day functioning supports standard terms
Disclosure	Full, accurate answers about your diagnosis, treatment and history	Honest disclosure keeps cover valid; non-disclosure can mean a claim is reduced or refused

Indicative only — how depression and anxiety are assessed varies between insurers and depends on your individual medical history. Not a quote.

How it works

Severity, treatment and stability

When you apply, an insurer will ask about your mental health in detail: your diagnosis, how severe it has been, how many episodes you have had, what treatment you receive and how long you have been stable. They will usually ask whether you have ever been admitted to hospital, had crisis support, or experienced self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Many insurers can access your GP records, so the picture they build comes from your medical history rather than the application form alone. Mild, well-managed depression or anxiety with no history of crisis is often covered at standard rates, and the difference is usually reflected in your premium rather than an automatic refusal.

Two applicants with the same diagnosis can be offered very different terms, which is why comparing insurers matters. Depression and anxiety also often appear alongside other health factors, so it is worth reading our guide to life insurance with pre-existing conditions. If time off work due to ill health is a concern, income protection covers your income separately from life cover, and you can browse the full life insurance hub for related guides.

Cost

What cover costs with depression or anxiety 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 depression and anxiety, the key driver is severity and history: mild, stable conditions with no hospital admissions keep premiums closest to standard rates, while severe or recurrent illness, or a history of crisis intervention or self-harm, can 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 a mental health condition.

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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 depression, anxiety, treatment or any history of crisis, the insurer may reduce or refuse a claim later, which defeats the purpose of having cover. Insurers commonly verify the picture against your GP records at the point of claim, so disclosure protects your family. Telling the insurer about a mental health condition 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.

Common questions

Life insurance with depression and anxiety: FAQs

Can I get life insurance if I have depression or anxiety?

In most cases, yes. Depression and anxiety are among the most common conditions insurers see, and mild, well-managed cases are routinely covered at standard or near-standard rates. The terms depend on the severity, your treatment and your history, and some insurers take a more favourable view than others, so comparing quotes is worthwhile.

Is life insurance more expensive with depression or anxiety?

Not always. Mild, well-controlled depression or anxiety may attract standard terms, while more severe or recurrent illness, or a history of hospital admission or self-harm, can lead to a loading on the premium. The exact effect varies between insurers and depends on your individual medical history.

Do I have to tell the insurer about my mental health?

Yes. You must disclose your diagnosis, treatment and any history of crisis or self-harm fully and accurately. Insurers commonly check the details against your GP records at the point of claim, and 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.

Does taking antidepressants affect my application?

Being on medication is normal and is generally seen as a sign that your condition is being managed. Insurers look at the wider picture — the severity, how stable you have been and your history — rather than the medication alone. You should never stop or change medication to affect an application; doing so can be both unsafe and counterproductive.

Will a history of hospital admission or self-harm mean I am declined?

Not necessarily, though it is the factor with the biggest effect on terms. A history of hospital admission, crisis intervention or self-harm can lead to a larger loading or, for some insurers, a postponement until you have been stable for a period. A specialist insurer or broker may be able to place cover that a mainstream insurer would not, so it is worth exploring more than one route.

Are deaths by suicide covered?

Most UK life insurance policies include a suicide exclusion for the first 12 to 24 months of the policy, after which death by suicide is typically covered in the same way as any other cause. The exact wording varies between insurers, so it is worth checking the policy terms. If you are struggling, support is available from your GP and from charities such as Samaritans on 116 123.

Can a specialist broker help?

It can help. Some insurers and brokers specialise in cover for people with mental health conditions, 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 depression and anxiety. Last updated: 2026-06-24

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