Life insurance with epilepsy
Epilepsy is usually insurable. The terms you receive depend heavily on how well your seizures are controlled, what medication you take, and a few other factors that insurers weigh carefully. Most people with controlled epilepsy on a single anti-epileptic drug can get life insurance at reasonable rates.
The short answer
Most people with epilepsy can get life insurance. If you have been seizure-free for 2 or more years on a single anti-epileptic drug (AED), you can typically expect standard rates or a minor loading of up to 50%. Frequent seizures, multiple medications, or a history of status epilepticus will mean higher premiums. Your DVLA driving status is a useful proxy - if you are cleared to drive, insurers take that as a positive signal about your seizure control.
What insurers ask about epilepsy
Insurers assess epilepsy based on seizure control and the overall picture of your condition. These are the specific questions you should be prepared to answer.
When was your epilepsy diagnosed?
Childhood-onset epilepsy that is now well-controlled or resolved is viewed very favourably. Recent-onset epilepsy (within the last 2-3 years) may result in a slightly higher loading while the pattern of seizure control becomes established.
When was your last seizure?
This is the single most important question. Seizure-free for 2 or more years is the key threshold for most insurers. The longer the seizure-free period, the better the terms. Seizure-free for 5 or more years on stable medication is viewed very favourably.
How frequent are your seizures?
If you are still having seizures, frequency matters enormously. One or two seizures per year is viewed very differently from weekly seizures. Nocturnal seizures only (occurring only during sleep) are generally viewed more favourably than daytime seizures.
What medication are you taking?
A single anti-epileptic drug (monotherapy) suggests well-controlled epilepsy. Multiple AEDs (polytherapy) suggests harder-to-control seizures. Common AEDs include levetiracetam (Keppra), sodium valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, and topiramate. The number of medications matters more than the specific drug.
Are you cleared to drive by the DVLA?
DVLA clearance to drive requires being seizure-free for at least 12 months (or having only nocturnal seizures for 3 years). If you hold a valid driving licence, this is a strong positive signal to insurers about your seizure control. It is not a formal underwriting criterion, but it carries weight.
What type of epilepsy do you have?
Idiopathic (no known cause) generalised epilepsy is generally viewed more straightforwardly than structural epilepsy (caused by a brain lesion, tumour, injury, or stroke). The underlying cause, if known, may itself be a factor in underwriting.
Know your seizure history and medication
Date of last seizure, seizure frequency, and your current medication are the three things our partner brokers need to give you an accurate picture.
Get QuoteHow seizure control affects your premiums
Seizure control is the primary driver of how insurers price epilepsy. Here is a realistic breakdown of what to expect at different levels of control.
Seizure-free 2+ years, single AED
Standard to +50%
This is the most favourable epilepsy scenario. Well-controlled on a single medication with a clear seizure-free period. Most mainstream insurers will offer terms. Many will charge standard rates; some may apply a minor loading of 25-50%.
Seizure-free 1-2 years or multiple AEDs
+50% to +100%
Good control but either a shorter seizure-free period or requiring multiple medications to achieve it. Most mainstream insurers will still offer terms with a moderate loading. The loading reflects the increased likelihood of breakthrough seizures.
Occasional seizures (1-4 per year)
+100% to +150%
Still having seizures but relatively infrequently. Cover is available but with a significant loading. Insurer selection matters more at this level - some insurers are more competitive for epilepsy with ongoing seizures than others. Nocturnal-only seizures at this frequency are viewed more favourably.
Frequent seizures (monthly or more)
+150% or higher / possible decline
Frequent ongoing seizures despite treatment. Some mainstream insurers will decline at this level. Specialist insurers may still offer terms with a high loading. Guaranteed acceptance products remain available regardless. If your seizure control improves, reapplying later can result in significantly better terms.
Other factors that affect your terms
Beyond seizure frequency and medication, several other aspects of your epilepsy affect how insurers assess your application.
Nocturnal epilepsy
If your seizures occur exclusively during sleep, insurers generally view this more favourably than daytime seizures. The risk of seizure-related injury is lower with nocturnal epilepsy, and DVLA rules allow driving after 3 years of nocturnal-only seizures. Expect better terms than equivalent daytime seizure frequency.
Status epilepticus history
Status epilepticus (a prolonged seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or repeated seizures without recovery) is a medical emergency and significantly impacts underwriting. A history of status epilepticus results in a higher loading, and recency matters - a single episode years ago is viewed differently from a recent or repeated occurrence.
Structural vs idiopathic epilepsy
Epilepsy with no identified structural cause (idiopathic or genetic generalised epilepsy) is generally viewed more simply. Epilepsy caused by a brain tumour, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or other structural lesion is assessed based on both the epilepsy and the underlying cause. The underlying condition may carry its own underwriting implications.
Childhood epilepsy now resolved
Childhood epilepsy that has resolved (seizure-free and off medication for 5+ years) is one of the best outcomes for insurance purposes. Many insurers will offer standard rates with no loading at all. Even if you are still on medication as a precaution, a long seizure-free period from childhood epilepsy is viewed very positively.
The honest answer
Epilepsy is one of the more straightforward medical conditions to insure, provided your seizures are reasonably controlled. If you have been seizure-free for 2 or more years on a single medication, you should expect to get life insurance without significant difficulty. Even with ongoing seizures, cover is available from most insurers - it just costs more. The key mistake people with epilepsy make is applying to the wrong insurer. Some insurers are significantly more competitive for epilepsy than others, and the difference in premiums can be substantial. A broker who knows the market can save you money and avoid unnecessary declines on your record.
Critical illness cover with epilepsy
Critical illness cover is generally available alongside life insurance for epilepsy, since epilepsy itself is not usually a listed condition on critical illness policies. The policy would pay out for cancer, heart attack, stroke, and other specified conditions. Your epilepsy may result in a loading on the critical illness premium, but an exclusion is less common than with some other conditions.
If your epilepsy has a structural cause (e.g. a brain tumour), the critical illness policy may include an exclusion related to the underlying cause rather than the epilepsy itself.
Income protection with epilepsy
Income protection is available with epilepsy but may come with an epilepsy-related exclusion, meaning the policy would not pay out if you are unable to work specifically because of seizures. For well-controlled epilepsy with a long seizure-free period, some insurers may offer income protection without this exclusion.
The deferred period you choose (4 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 months, etc.) can also affect whether an exclusion is applied. Longer deferred periods may result in fewer restrictions, as the insurer is less exposed to short-term seizure-related absence.
Need income protection with epilepsy?
Our specialist brokers know which insurers are most likely to offer income protection with or without an epilepsy exclusion.
Get QuotePut your policy in trust
Every life insurance policy should be written in trust, and this is particularly worth mentioning for epilepsy. SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), while rare, is a recognised risk. A policy written in trust pays out directly to your beneficiaries without entering your estate, avoiding inheritance tax and probate delays. It is free to set up and our partner brokers do it on every policy.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to declare epilepsy on a life insurance application?
Yes, always. You must declare your epilepsy diagnosis, medication, seizure history, and any related hospital admissions. Non-disclosure can void your entire policy. Epilepsy that is well-controlled on medication is very common and well-understood by underwriters - declaring it should not prevent you from getting cover.
I had a single seizure but have not been diagnosed with epilepsy. Do I need to declare it?
Yes. A single unprovoked seizure should be declared even if you have not been given a formal epilepsy diagnosis. Insurers will want to know the details, any investigation results (MRI, EEG), and whether you were started on medication. A single seizure with normal investigations and no medication is typically viewed very mildly.
Does the DVLA driving status actually matter for insurance?
It is not a formal underwriting criterion, but it carries significant weight as a proxy for seizure control. If the DVLA has cleared you to drive, it means you meet their seizure-free requirements, which is a strong positive signal. If you have had your licence revoked due to seizures, this tells the insurer your seizures are not fully controlled.
I am reducing my epilepsy medication. Should I wait before applying?
This depends on the situation. If you are reducing medication under medical supervision and remain seizure-free, some insurers will view this positively. However, medication changes introduce uncertainty, and some underwriters may prefer to wait until you have been stable on the new dose (or off medication entirely) for 6-12 months. Our partner brokers can advise based on your specific circumstances.
What is SUDEP and does it affect my insurance?
SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) is a rare but recognised cause of death in people with epilepsy. It is one of the reasons insurers apply a loading to epilepsy even when seizures are well-controlled. The risk of SUDEP is highest in people with frequent uncontrolled seizures and lowest in those with well-controlled epilepsy. Good seizure control reduces both the SUDEP risk and the insurance loading.
Can I get life insurance for a mortgage with epilepsy?
Yes. Mortgage life insurance (decreasing term cover) is readily available with epilepsy. Lenders sometimes require life insurance as a condition of the mortgage, and having epilepsy does not prevent you from meeting this requirement. The premiums will reflect your seizure control, but the cover works in exactly the same way.
Get a life insurance quote with epilepsy
Tell us your last seizure date, medication, and seizure type. Our specialist brokers will find the right insurer and get you an accurate quote in one free call.
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