Declaring a pre-existing condition is cheaper than hiding it
The most expensive money you can save on insurance is the premium you avoid by not mentioning something.
It's a genuinely tempting piece of arithmetic. Mention the blood pressure medication and the premium goes up, or a waiting period is applied. Don't mention it and everything is cheaper. People make this trade every day, and it is the single worst decision available in insurance.
What actually happens at claim time
When a claim of any size is made, insurers review medical records, hospital notes, prescription histories, past consultations. A condition you didn't declare tends to surface in exactly those documents. At that point the insurer isn't just declining one claim; non-disclosure can void the policy entirely, taking with it every premium you've paid.
What declaring actually costs
- Often a waiting period before claims related to that condition are payable, an inconvenience, not an exclusion forever.
- Sometimes a loading on the premium, which is a known, manageable number.
- Occasionally a specific exclusion, so you know precisely where you stand.
- Very rarely a decline, in which case another insurer may still accept you, and we'd help you find them.
Declare more than you think you need to
The rule we give customers: if you've wondered whether something counts, declare it. A consultation years ago, a medication you no longer take, a test result that was slightly off. Over-declaring costs you very little. Under-declaring costs your family the claim.
Beware anyone who advises otherwise
If a salesperson ever suggests leaving something off the form to get a better rate, that is a clear signal to walk away. They collect their commission today; your family discovers the consequence years later, at the worst possible moment.
We fill applications honestly and completely, precisely because our job doesn't end at the sale, we're the ones standing with you at claim time.
Want this tailored to you?
Book a free call and we'll apply this to your exact situation, no pressure, no spam.
This guide is general information to help you understand your options, not financial or tax advice. Please consider your own circumstances and consult a qualified professional where needed.