Abnormal Smears and Life Insurance

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April 2023 Update: The criteria for getting cover pending a normal smear is ever changing, please complete this questionnaire and I can check if cover is possible.

Hi,
We would like to get mortgage protection but I have been dealing with abnormal smears for a while. I’ve been four years under hospital care scheme having check-ups. Last smear abnormal again. So do I wait for my next smear test result in 3 months or is it worth trying now?
Regards
Ruth

I fully expected the insurers to postpone Ruth.

So it was a nice surprise to get her immediate cover at the normal price.

She was so happy as she could complete the purchase of her new home.

Abnormal Smears and Mortgage Insurance

Some life insurance companies will postpone offering cover until you have a normal smear.

In Ruth’s case above, she had a CIN III fours years ago, followed by another normal smear.

Since then, she has had a series of low-grade smears.

My underwriter took the view that Ruth was low risk.

She was undergoing regular pap smears, and the most recent abnormal smear was low-grade (CIN 1).

Because of these factors, she got the normal price without having to wait for a normal smear.

However, four of our five insurers would not offer her cover.

So you can see how important it is to choose the most sympathetic life insurer.

All the other insurers we approached would have postponed Ruth.

Can I get Serious Illness Cover if my last smear was abnormal?

Again it depends on the life insurance company.

I managed to serious illness cover for a client* who had an abnormal smear last year.

But the insurer added an exclusion for cancer of the cervix or uterus to her policy.

In this case, the client had a strong supporting letter from her consultant.

Usually, the insurer requires a normal smear before offering serious illness cover.

*Update: Since getting cover with the exclusion, my client had a normal smear. Because of this, her insurer was happy to remove the exclusion. 

What about Income Protection if you’re waiting for a repeat smear?

This is asseses on a case by case basis – sorry to be vague!

Can you get Mortgage Cover if you’re Waiting for a colposcopy (or the results)?

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

If you’re waiting for a colposcopy (from hse.ie)

1. some of the cells in your screening test sample are abnormal
2. the GP or nurse who carried out the screening test thought your cervix didn’t look as healthy as it should
3. it wasn’t possible to give you a normal (negative) result after several screening tests

The colposcopy will confirm whether abnormal cells are present, the grade of those cells (CIN 1, 2 or 3) and determine whether you will need treatment to remove them.

Until the results are available, the insurers will postpone any application for life cover.

If confirmed as CIN1, mortgage cover should be possible without the need for a follow up normal smear.

What if my results are HPV + and Atypical Cells of Undetermined Significance?

The insurers may insist on a follow-up normal smear in this case.

What Medical Information do you need when Applying for Life Insurance after an Abnormal Smear?

A well answered gynaecological questionnaire can be enough. But in some cases, the insurer will write to your GP for a report.

Case Study 1

Lisa was scheduled for LLETZ treatment as a result of CIN2 in 2 weeks.

But she needed mortgage protection in place within three weeks to draw down her mortgage.

She could not schedule a repeat smear test in the next three weeks.

So I had to find an insurer that would offer cover based solely on the LLETZ report.

Here’s how the insurers viewed it:

Insurer 1: For a CIN2, we would need a normal follow up smear test.

Insurer 2: For life cover only, we can offer cover once confirmation of no invasion following the treatment.

Insurer 3: To consider cover, we would need a copy of the report following her LLETZ treatment & if this confirmed that it was completely excised & confirmation of no invasion, we could offer cover.

Insurer 4: We would need a normal follow up smear.

Insurer 5: The client will have needed a normal follow up smear after her treatment for us to consider.

Half of the insurers couldn’t offer cover until the follow-up smear, and this proves how important it is to use a broker who deals with all five insurers.

How much will your Life Insurance Cost?

The insurers will cover you at the standard price (if they can offer cover)

Click here for an instant life insurance quote.

Over to you…

Are you stressed out because you’re waiting for a follow-up smear and worried about how it will affect your life insurance or mortgage protection application?

If you are, let me help.

Please complete this questionnaire or call me on 05793 20836, and I’ll take care of it for you.