What the insurer asks about your asthma
Insurers want to know how your asthma affects your daily life. They start with the inhalers you use, for example a reliever you use now and then, or a daily preventer as well. They ask how often you need your reliever and whether your asthma wakes you at night.
The next questions look at flare-ups. How many courses of steroid tablets have you needed in the last year or two? Have you been to A&E or stayed in hospital because of an attack? Have you had time off work? These answers tell the underwriter much more than the word asthma on its own.
- The inhalers you use and how often
- Courses of oral steroids such as prednisolone
- Hospital stays or A&E visits for asthma
- Time off work
- Whether you smoke or vape
Why mild asthma often makes no difference
Asthma is common, and insurers see it all the time. If you use a reliever occasionally or take a low-dose preventer, rarely need steroid tablets and have never been admitted to hospital, many insurers treat you the same as someone without asthma.
Childhood asthma that you have grown out of usually has little effect, though you should still declare it if the question covers it. What the insurer wants to see is that your asthma is stable and under control.
Your answers about the last year or two carry the most weight. A good spell since your last flare-up, with a steady inhaler routine, shows the insurer what your asthma looks like day to day.
When terms can change
Severe asthma, regular steroid courses, a hospital stay in recent years or any time in intensive care for asthma can lead to a premium loading. The insurer may also look closely if you have another lung condition alongside it, such as COPD.
Smoking makes a big difference for people with asthma, because the two together put more strain on the lungs. Critical illness cover usually focuses on other conditions, so asthma often affects it less than life cover, though severe asthma can still lead to different terms. Each insurer makes its own decision.
Get the details right
Your GP records will list your prescriptions, including steroid courses, and any hospital visits. If you tick no to a question about steroids but your records show several courses, the insurer may question the application or reduce a claim later.
Before you apply, it can help to check your NHS app for your recent prescriptions. That way your answers match your records, and the insurer can decide more quickly.
Asthma, allergies and your job
Income protection insurers sometimes look harder at asthma, because a bad flare-up can mean time off work. If you have had long spells off sick with your asthma, expect questions about them and possibly a different outcome from your life cover.
If you have a severe allergy that has needed an adrenaline pen or hospital treatment, answer any question about it in full. Insurers assess that separately from your asthma, and the details help them see the full picture.
Your job can matter too. If you work with dust, fumes or chemicals that affect your breathing, the insurer may ask about it when you describe your occupation. Clear answers help them understand your symptoms.
How Hi Tomorrow helps people with asthma
Insurers differ in how they assess asthma, especially for people with moderate or severe symptoms. We know which insurers on our panel take a fair view and we start there. For mild asthma, we can often give you a good idea of the likely outcome early on.
We help you answer the asthma questions accurately and explain any offer you receive. If your asthma has improved since you took out an older policy, we can also look at whether new cover would give you better terms.