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Editor’s Note | This guide was first published in 2016 and has been reviewed and updated for 2026 to reflect current Irish underwriting practices and the Right to be Forgotten Code
You’re probably here because the bank has just asked for mortgage protection, and something you thought was behind you has suddenly become relevant again.
Your prostate cancer was treated. Your PSA is stable. Life moved on.
Now you’re wondering whether an insurer is going to treat you like a risk instead of a recovery.
The good news is this: in Ireland, most men with a history of prostate cancer do get cover.
The part that catches people out is not whether cover is possible, it’s which insurer you approach first and how your medical history is presented.
Lower Gleason scores and stable PSA results generally mean cover becomes available sooner, although premiums will usually be higher for a number of years.
Higher grades or more recent treatment typically mean insurers will ask you to wait before offering terms.
This is where most people get caught out.
If you apply directly to the strictest insurer first and receive loaded or postponed terms, that underwriting decision can influence how other insurers assess you.
Insurers don’t assess prostate cancer in the same way.
Some are more comfortable with Gleason 6 or 3+4 cases than others.
Some apply shorter loading periods.
Others may insist on longer stability before offering cover.
That’s why we speak to all five Irish insurers anonymously before any formal application goes in.
It gives you the best chance of cover and avoids unnecessary declines or postponements.
Several insurers were willing to offer terms, but the loading periods varied significantly.
We secured terms with a 3-year temporary loading. Other insurers wanted 5 years at the same loading rate.
After the loading period ends, premiums revert to standard rates.
The difference over time was in the thousands of euros, which is why insurer choice matters.
Serious illness cover is usually more restrictive. Insurers typically exclude cancer-related claims after a previous diagnosis.
Income protection may also include a cancer exclusion depending on the stage and grade.
Again, underwriting variation exists, which is why the order you apply matters.
Under Ireland’s Right to be Forgotten Code, some cancer survivors may qualify for standard mortgage protection terms after a specified number of years post-treatment, provided there has been no recurrence.
This applies to mortgage protection only and is subject to the Code conditions in force at the time of application.
If you’ve had prostate cancer and need life insurance or mortgage protection in Ireland, the safest approach is to review your medical details before applying anywhere.
Complete this confidential questionnaire, and we’ll review your case with our insurers anonymously.
A copy of your Histology Report will help us find the best insurer the first time.
If you’d prefer a quick call first, you can schedule one here.
Written by Nick McGowan, QFA RPA APA
Nick is a qualified financial advisor and founder of Lion.ie, a multi-agency Irish life insurance and income protection brokerage based in Tullamore.
He’s been helping people secure fair, transparent cover for over 15 years and was named Protection Broker of the Year 2022.
If you’d like straight answers without the sales pitch, learn more about Nick here.
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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