Types of hernia insurers ask about
A hernia happens when part of an organ or fatty tissue pushes through a weak spot in the muscle wall. Inguinal hernias appear in the groin, umbilical hernias at the belly button and incisional hernias at the site of an old operation scar.
A hiatus hernia is different. Part of the stomach moves up through the diaphragm into the chest, and it often causes heartburn or reflux. Insurers tend to treat it as a digestive question rather than a muscle one, asking about symptoms and medication.
What the insurer asks
Questions usually cover when the hernia was found, whether it has been repaired, whether you are on a waiting list for surgery and whether you have had any complications. If you have had more than one hernia, or one that came back after repair, say so.
For income protection, the insurer will also ask about time off work and how physical your job is. A hernia matters more to an insurer covering a builder than one covering an office worker, because heavy lifting can delay a return to work.
Being on an NHS waiting list is common, and insurers know it can take some time. Give an honest estimate of when surgery is expected. Some insurers will offer full income protection once you send confirmation that the repair has been done and you are back at work.
- Type and location of the hernia
- Repair surgery and its date
- Whether you are on a waiting list
- Any complications or recurrence
- Time off work and the physical demands of your job
Terms for life, critical illness and income protection
Life cover is usually offered on standard terms, whether the hernia has been repaired or not. Critical illness cover is normally unaffected too, as a hernia is not one of the illnesses those policies pay for.
Income protection is where you may see a change. If the hernia has not been repaired, many insurers add an exclusion for it, or for hernias in general. Once it has been repaired and you are back to normal, some insurers offer full cover, and others will review an exclusion if you ask after a period without problems.
Declare it, even if it feels minor
Hernias are recorded in your GP notes and any hospital letters. If the form asks about operations, digestive problems or conditions you are waiting to have treated, include the hernia with the dates.
A hernia that goes unmentioned is unlikely to matter on life cover, but on income protection it could lead to a claim being refused. Telling the insurer now costs very little and keeps every part of your cover secure.
How Hi Tomorrow helps if you have a hernia
For life cover, a hernia rarely slows things down, and we can usually move straight to recommending a policy. For income protection, we compare how insurers on our panel word their hernia exclusions and which ones remove them after repair.
If you are on a waiting list for surgery, we can talk through whether to apply now, accept an exclusion and ask for a review later, or wait until after the operation.