What insurers ask about alcohol
Every application asks how many units you drink in a typical week. Many go further and ask whether a doctor has ever advised you to cut down, whether you have had treatment or counselling for alcohol, and whether you have been diagnosed with dependence.
If you have a history of alcohol problems, the insurer wants to know what help you had, whether a community service, a residential programme or a support group, how long you have been in recovery and whether there have been any relapses along the way.
- Units per week now and in the past
- Advice from a doctor to cut down
- Treatment, detox or support groups
- Time since you stopped or cut down
- Liver test results
Liver health and related conditions
Long-term heavy drinking can affect the liver, so insurers often ask for recent liver function tests and sometimes arrange a blood test themselves. Results back in the normal range are strong evidence of recovery. Any diagnosis of liver damage, such as cirrhosis, is assessed separately and seriously.
Alcohol problems often appear alongside anxiety, depression or PTSD. Insurers assess those conditions too, so be ready to talk about any treatment for your mental health and how you are now.
Drug use is asked about separately on most forms, often covering the last few years. If alcohol and drug use were part of the same period in your life, answer both questions accurately. Insurers assess them together, and recovery from both counts in your favour.
The outcomes you might see
If you have been in stable recovery for several years with normal liver tests, standard terms or a small loading are possible. More recent recovery often leads to a loading or a postponement until more time has passed. Current heavy drinking or significant liver damage may lead to a decline.
Income protection may carry an exclusion for alcohol-related illness or for mental health. Critical illness cover is assessed in a similar way to life cover, looking at your recovery and liver health.
Why honest answers matter here
Advice to cut down, alcohol treatment and abnormal liver tests are all recorded by your GP. Declare them in full. If an insurer finds them at claim, it can refuse to pay, and your family would lose the cover you paid for.
Be accurate about how much you drink now, too. Underestimating units is common, and insurers compare your answer with your records. Being open about recovery shows the insurer that you are looking after your health, which often helps.
How Hi Tomorrow helps after alcohol problems
We handle your history without judgement and ask only what the insurer needs. We know which insurers on our panel take a fair view of recovery and we approach them first, putting the length of your recovery and your test results up front.
If an insurer asks you to wait, we tell you roughly how long and contact you when it makes sense to apply again. Each year of recovery tends to strengthen your position.