Stroke, TIA and what caused it
Underwriters first want to know exactly what happened. An ischaemic stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel, while a haemorrhagic stroke is a bleed in or around the brain. A TIA, often called a mini-stroke, causes symptoms that pass within a day.
The cause matters as much as the type. A stroke linked to an irregular heart rhythm, a narrowed neck artery, a hole in the heart or a clotting disorder each leads to different follow-up questions. A stroke with no cause found is assessed on the tests that ruled the others out.
Recovery and lasting effects
Insurers ask how well you have recovered. Full recovery with no ongoing weakness, speech difficulty or memory problems puts you in a much stronger position than lasting effects that need daily support.
They also ask whether you are back at work and driving, how active you are and whether you have had more than one event. Rehabilitation reports and clinic letters from your stroke team usually answer most of this, so it helps to have them nearby when you apply.
Medication taken after a stroke, such as blood thinners, statins and blood pressure tablets, is expected, and taking it as prescribed counts in your favour. Recent blood pressure and cholesterol readings are useful too. If you have joined a stroke support group or kept up physiotherapy, that shows a commitment to recovery.
- Type of stroke or TIA and its date
- Cause found by your doctors
- Any lasting weakness, speech or memory effects
- Medication to prevent another event
- Blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking status
The outcomes after a stroke
Straight after a stroke, insurers usually postpone. Once some time has passed and your recovery is clear, life cover is often offered with a loading. A single TIA with no further events and good control of risk factors can lead to milder terms than a full stroke.
More than one stroke, significant disability or poorly controlled risk factors can lead to a decline from some insurers. Critical illness cover usually excludes stroke for anyone with a history, and some insurers decline it altogether, so life cover is often the more realistic starting point.
Why full disclosure matters after a stroke
Hospital admissions and brain scans are clearly recorded, so a stroke or TIA left off an application is very likely to come to light at claim. Declare it even if you made a full recovery or were only kept in for a night.
Mention symptoms that were investigated as a possible TIA too, if the question covers them. A clear result can count in your favour. Bringing your blood pressure and cholesterol under control since the event is also worth saying, because it lowers the risk the insurer is pricing.
How Hi Tomorrow helps after a stroke
The wait insurers ask for after a stroke, and the price they put on it, can vary a great deal. We know which insurers on our panel tend to look at stroke more openly and we start with them, rather than sending you through a series of refusals.
We work out which scan results and recovery details matter most and help you find them. If the answer is not yet, we note when it may be worth applying again and contact you at that point.