Life insurance with bipolar disorder

What underwriters generally consider

• The specific diagnosis and when it was made
• How long you've been stable
• Treatment, including medication, and consistency with it
• Frequency and timing of any episodes
• Hospitalisation history
• Whether you're working and functioning day to day
• Any history of self-harm, assessed carefully
• Substance use, where relevant

Stability and adherence carry weight

Underwriters generally place significant weight on a sustained period of stability and on consistent engagement with treatment. A long-managed condition presents very differently from a recent or unstable one.

Expect the insurer to request records from your treating clinician. That's standard for this diagnosis rather than a sign of trouble, and it's the main reason the process takes longer.

Carrier selection matters more here than almost anywhere

Guidelines differ substantially between insurers on this diagnosis. Applying to whichever company came to mind first is how people end up with an unnecessarily poor outcome or an avoidable decline on their record.

Someone who places impaired-risk cases regularly will know which carriers to approach and in what order.

If standard underwriting isn't available

Simplified issue asks fewer health questions with a narrower face amount. Guaranteed issue accepts applicants within an age band without health questions, with a waiting period and a higher cost per dollar of benefit.

Group coverage through an employer is also worth checking, since it typically requires little or no individual underwriting.