What insurers want to understand
Endometriosis affects people very differently. For some it means painful periods managed with the pill. For others it means years of pain, several operations and time off work. The underwriter is trying to work out where you sit on that range.
They will ask when you were diagnosed and how, often by laparoscopy, what treatment you have had and how you are now. If you also have adenomyosis, fibroids or ovarian cysts, mention them, because they are often assessed together and the insurer will see them in your notes.
- How and when it was diagnosed
- Surgery, including excision or hysterectomy
- Hormone treatment and pain relief
- Time off work in recent years
- Any related conditions such as cysts or fibroids
Life cover and critical illness cover
For life insurance, endometriosis is not seen as a condition that shortens life, so standard terms are normal. Strong pain relief or a related impact on mood may lead to a question or two, but rarely a change in price.
Critical illness cover is usually similar. Endometriosis is not one of the listed illnesses, and insurers tend to offer it on normal terms unless something else in your history needs a closer look. Any abnormal cells found during gynaecological investigations would be asked about separately.
Why income protection is different
Income protection pays if you cannot work, and pelvic pain can keep people off for days or weeks at a time. If you have had time off because of endometriosis, an insurer may add an exclusion for it, or for gynaecological conditions more broadly.
An exclusion still leaves you covered for injuries and other illnesses. Some insurers will look again later if you have stayed well, or may offer full cover after successful surgery. Comparing several insurers can make a real difference to the wording you end up with, and a narrow exclusion is worth far more than a broad one.
Being open about your symptoms
It is tempting to play down pain that you have learned to live with. Try to answer as your GP record would. Hospital letters and fit notes show time off and treatment, and an insurer checks them if you claim.
If you are on a waiting list for surgery, say so. Some insurers wait until after the operation, while others make a decision now. Either way, a complete answer means the policy you get is one you can rely on when it counts.
Mention any medicines you take for pain, particularly stronger ones prescribed by a specialist, and any referral to a pain clinic. The underwriter is not judging how you cope. They simply need an accurate picture of how often symptoms affect your daily life and work.
How Hi Tomorrow helps with endometriosis
We listen to how endometriosis affects your life and work, then approach insurers on our panel that take a fair view. If an exclusion is offered on income protection, we explain exactly what it covers and look for narrower wording where we can find it.
If you are about to have surgery, we can help you decide whether to apply now or afterwards. We also look at the deferred period, since a longer wait before payments start can sometimes lead an insurer to offer fuller cover.