Life Insurance with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) causes long-term tiredness that affects everyday life and doesn’t go away with sleep or rest.

For most people, symptoms will improve over time.

CFS is also known as ME, which stands for myalgic encephalomyelitis.

Myalgia means muscle pain and encephalomyelitis means inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Both CFS and ME are commonly used terms.

Can I get life insurance with chronic fatigue syndrome / ME

The quick answer is yes.

Once your diagnosis of CFS or ME has been confirmed and all other causes have been excluded, you should be able to get life insurance provided you apply to the correct insurer.

Will I have to pay more for my life insurance due to CFS?

Provided your condition is well controlled, you should get the standard price for life insurance.

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If you have any additional medical disclosures such as depression, your application will be reviewed by underwriting.

You may have to pay extra depending on the insurer, that’s why it’s so important to speak with all 6 insurers, or use a broker than does so.

Can I get serious illness cover with CFS?

You will get serious illness cover if your condition is mild and there have been no recent symptoms.

But you’ll probably find there is an exclusion for claims due to Total Permanent Disability or Loss of Independent Living .

The insurer will cover you for all other illnesses such as cancer, heart attack, stroke etc.

Is income protection possible with CFS – ME?

If yours is a mild case of chronic fatigue syndrome and you have been symptom free for over 5 years, it’s possible to get income protection without any exclusions.

Otherwise  the insurer will apply a mental health and chronic fatigue exclusion.

The insurer will cover you for all other illnesses that prevent you from working.

However in cases of severe CFS/ME, the insure will not offer you income protection.

What information does the insurer look for?

The insurer will need the following:

• Confirmation of diagnosis i.e. other causes excluded
• Duration of illness and time elapsed since full recovery
• Time off work
• Any associated psychiatric or muscular/skeletal disease

For an income protection application, the insurance company will also look for a PMAR (medical report) from your GP.

Over to you…

If you suffer with chronic fatigue syndrome and need life insurance or mortgage protection, please get in touch using the quick outline form below.

The key is to apply to the most sympathetic insurer for your condition.

We have succeeded in getting the normal price for our clients with for life insurance, mortgage protection and income protection with CFS.

If you prefer to discuss over the phone, please call me confidentially on 05793 20836 if you have any questions.

Nick McGowan
lion.ie | making life insurance easier