So, you’ve got kidney disease, and now you’re thinking:
“Right, that’s me uninsurable. May as well cancel the mortgage application and move into the shed.”
Easy there.
Mortgage protection is possible.
Yes, it might take a bit more effort.
Yes, the underwriter might want to know the ins and outs of your wee.
But that’s where we come in — we’ve helped people with everything from Stage 1 CKD to post-transplant recovery get approved.
Let’s walk you through it.
Can I Get Life Insurance with Kidney Disease?
Short answer? Yes.
Longer answer? It depends on:
- Type of kidney condition (CKD, PKD, nephrotic syndrome, IgA nephropathy, etc.)
- Stage of the disease (Stage 1 to Stage 3 CKD)
- eGFR and creatinine levels (basically, how well your kidneys are pulling their weight)
- Treatment (meds, dialysis, transplant — or no treatment at all)
- Any underlying causes (diabetes and high blood pressure are two big ones)
- Stability (Insurers love the word “stable” more than a horse does)
Which Insurer is Best?
Every insurer has a different appetite for risk.
So if one turns you down, that doesn’t mean game over.
We’ll shop around for you.
What Will Insurers Ask Me?
Prepare for a full health NCT.
Typical questions include:
- When were you diagnosed?
- What’s your current CKD stage?
- Do you know your eGFR or creatinine levels?
- Are you on medication? Dialysis? Had a transplant?
- Is your condition stable?
- Do you have any related conditions (like diabetes, high blood pressure, or obesity)?
- When was your last specialist appointment?
They might request a nurse’s medical screening, a blood test, or a GP report.
If you’ve had recent bloodwork done, we may be able to use that instead.
How Do Kidney Issues Affect the Cost?
If you’ve got a kidney condition, you won’t get quoted the same price as someone with no health issues.
There’s no point leading you up the garden path promising you the normal price (and if you are being quoted “standard rates”, prepare to be disappointed) 😢
What affects the price?
- Severity & stage of your condition
- Age (younger = cheaper)
- Overall health (BMI, smoker status, etc.)
- Stability over time (fewer flare-ups = better outcome)
What If I’m on Dialysis or Had a Transplant?
- Dialysis: Cpover won’t be possible, I’m sorry.
- Transplant: If it’s recent, most insurers will want to wait 12–24 months post-op. After this cover is possible but the premiums are very high.
What Type of Cover Can I Get?
Let’s break it down:
| Type | What it does | Can I get it with kidney disease? |
|---|---|---|
| Term Life Insurance | Pays out if you die during the term (e.g. 20 years) | ✅ Yes – depends on severity & stability |
| Mortgage Protection | Covers your home loan if you die | ✅ Yes – often more flexible underwriting |
| Whole of Life | Guaranteed payout, higher premium | Not possible |
| Over 50s Life Insurance | No medical questions, but low payouts | ✅ Yes – last resort if others aren’t an option |
Income protection and serious illness cover won’t be possible.
Don’t Do This on Your Own
You can absolutely try your luck with a big-name insurer online — but if they decline you, you’ve made our job harder because we will have to tell the next insurer you have already been refused.
Let us do the grunt work.
We’ve got relationships with the senior underwriters at all 5 insurers.
We know who’s flexible on CKD.
We know who’ll say no to dialysis but yes to transplant.
And we know which insurers will ask 47 unnecessary questions about your last blood pressure reading in 2019.
Fast Recap: Life Insurance with Kidney Disease
- ✅ Yes, you can still get life insurance — even with CKD, PKD or transplant
- 🔍 Insurers want to know your diagnosis, stage, and stability
- 🦢 You might need to share recent blood results or get a nurse medical
- 💸 Premiums depend on the stage and control of your condition
- 💪 Let a broker (like us) fight your corner and find the best insurer
Ready to Find Out if You are Eligible?
Skip the guesswork.
Start our kidney questionnaire here.
https://lion.ie/kidney-disorders/
It only takes a few minutes, then we’ll take over.
FAQ / Glossary for the Nerds (and Google)
- CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease): Long-term kidney damage, usually staged 1–5.
- PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease): A genetic condition causing cysts in the kidneys.
- eGFR: A measure of kidney filtration function. Over 60 = good.
- Creatinine: Waste product that builds up if kidneys aren’t filtering well.
- Nephrotic Syndrome: A collection of symptoms due to kidney damage including proteinuria.
- Dialysis: A treatment to remove waste from your blood when your kidneys can’t.
- Transplant: A new kidney. Can often improve insurability if stable.
Click here to start the questionnaire — no jargon, no pressure, just straight-up answers.
Thanks for reading
Nick
