Table of Contents
Editor’s note: First published in 2017. Fully rebuilt in 2026 to reflect how Irish insurers actually assess cardiomyopathy today and the real risks of applying incorrectly.
This is usually the biggest fear.
A cardiomyopathy diagnosis does not mean you cannot get life insurance or mortgage protection. But it also isn’t straightforward, and outcomes vary a lot from person to person.
Insurers care far less about the label and far more about what the condition looks like in real life.
When cardiomyopathy is disclosed, underwriters usually look at:
Two people with the same diagnosis can receive completely different decisions.
Insurers will almost always want to see recent echocardiogram results.
Left ventricular function, including ejection fraction, is one of the key things they look at.
A preserved (high) ejection fraction helps. A reduced or deteriorating ejection fraction makes cover much harder, even if you feel well.
What matters most is the overall picture and whether things have been stable.
Age is still an important factor with cardiomyopathy, but it is applied very differently depending on the insurer.
Some insurers apply firm age cutoffs. Others are willing to look at younger applicants, but only with full cardiac reports provided upfront.
This is where applying to the wrong insurer first can quietly do serious damage.
If you have had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted, new life insurance is extremely unlikely in Ireland.
Pacemakers are sometimes theoretically reviewable, but in real-world underwriting they usually lead to the same outcome.
This is the part most people only learn after something goes wrong.
If you apply through a bank or directly to an insurer without pre-checking your case, you significantly increase the risk of a decline.
Once declined, that decision must be disclosed forever. Even insurers who might otherwise have considered your case will see the previous decline first.
With cardiomyopathy, order matters more than almost anything else.
In most successful cases, yes.
Life insurance does not exclude specific causes of death. If cover is offered, it is full life cover, with a higher premium.
The bigger risk is not exclusions.
The bigger risk is applying badly and being declined.
The insurer decision itself is usually quick.
The delay is almost always the GP report. Once medical reports are returned, decisions are made within 48 hours.
From application to decision, around six weeks is typical, longer if you GP is slow.
Planning ahead matters, especially if a mortgage drawdown is involved – ensure your GP has up to date cardiology reports.
There is no single answer.
Pricing depends on the type of cardiomyopathy, how stable it has been, test results, and whether there are symptoms.
Anyone giving you a firm price without reviewing medical detail is guessing.
If you have cardiomyopathy and are thinking about life insurance or mortgage protection, the safest approach is to check viability before making a formal application.
You can do that by completing this questionnaire:
Complete the medical questionnaire
If you prefer to talk it through first, you can book a call here:
Thanks for reading
Nick
Written by Nick McGowan
Founder of Lion.ie. Specialising in life insurance and mortgage protection where health makes things complicated.
As Ireland's leading life insurance broker, we specialise in comparing the rates and policies from the top five Irish life insurance providers and offering the very best value quotes to suit the individual needs of our clients. Our expertise lies in finding a suitable insurance plan for those with specific needs, be it a particular illness, occupation or claim history, we've got you covered in every sense!
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