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If you’ve been quoted a high premium for mortgage protection or told that’s the best available, there’s a good chance it isn’t.
We see this all the time.
Two insurers can look at the exact same arthritis case and come to completely different conclusions.
One might load heavily, another might offer near-standard terms.
Same condition, same medical history, different outcome.
That’s because insurers don’t assess risk the same way. They all look at the same medical evidence, but they weigh it differently.
And this is the bit most people don’t realise.
The order you apply matters.
If you apply to the wrong insurer first and get a poor result, that decision can influence what happens next. Being accepted doesn’t mean you’ve got the best terms, it just means that an insurer said yes.
“Hi Nick, we applied for life insurance through another broker (sorry!) but my wife was hit with a huge price increase because she was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Our broker says he can’t get a lower price. Can you try to get us a better deal?”
That situation is very fixable, but only if you approach it properly.
Insurers don’t just look at the word arthritis. They are trying to understand how your condition behaves in real life.
They will look at the type of arthritis, how active it is, the treatment you’re on, and whether anything outside the joints is affected.
In reality, most cases fall into three broad groups.
After that, the type of arthritis becomes the main driver of the outcome.
Rheumatoid arthritis is the one insurers are most cautious about, not because it’s uninsurable, but because it can be unpredictable.
It can flare, it can affect other systems, and treatment varies quite a bit.
What matters most is how it has behaved recently.
If it’s mild and stable, you may get standard terms or a small loading. If it’s more active or requires stronger medication, a loading becomes more likely. In more complex cases, especially where biologics are involved, options can become limited.
The details matter here.
Two people with rheumatoid arthritis on paper can get completely different outcomes depending on flare frequency, medication, and how stable things have been over time.
Psoriatic arthritis sits somewhere between rheumatoid arthritis and milder joint conditions.
It is still autoimmune, so insurers take it seriously, but outcomes can be more favourable depending on how it’s managed.
If symptoms are mild and controlled, you may see standard terms or a small loading. As treatment becomes stronger or symptoms less predictable, loadings increase and options narrow.
Again, stability and medication are doing most of the heavy lifting in the decision.
Osteoarthritis is much more straightforward.
Because it’s wear and tear rather than autoimmune, insurers are generally comfortable with it.
If it’s mild or moderate and you’re managing it without major intervention, most people are accepted at standard rates. If surgery is planned, there may be a short postponement, but this usually resolves once recovery is complete.
Only in more severe cases, where mobility is significantly affected, do insurers start to adjust terms.
We also help clients with conditions like ankylosing spondyloarthritis, reactive arthritis, and axial conditions.
These are assessed individually.
Some behave more like osteoarthritis and are relatively straightforward, while others behave more like autoimmune conditions and attract more scrutiny. The end result depends on how the condition presents, not just what it’s called.
Life insurance and mortgage protection are usually the easiest covers to arrange.
Serious illness cover is more selective, particularly in moderate to severe cases.
Income protection is the strictest of the three. If symptoms persist or stronger medication is required, insurers will take a much more cautious approach.
Most people think the goal is to get accepted.
It isn’t.
The goal is to get the best terms available for your situation.
If you apply without checking how insurers are likely to assess your case, you can end up paying more than you need to for years, or limit your options without realising it.
That’s why we don’t just apply and see what happens.
We look at the details first, then go to the insurer most likely to give the best outcome.
If you’ve already been quoted and it doesn’t feel right, or you want to avoid getting it wrong the first time, it’s worth checking your options properly.
Complete this short questionnaire and I’ll tell you what’s actually doable based on your situation.
Or if you’d prefer a quick chat first, you can book a callback 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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