Life insurance after stroke or TIA
A stroke or transient ischaemic attack changes your insurance landscape, but it does not eliminate your options. Time since the event is the most important single factor. A TIA with full recovery three years ago is viewed very differently from a haemorrhagic stroke six months ago with residual symptoms. This guide covers both stroke and TIA, what insurers ask, and what you can expect at each stage of recovery.
The short answer
TIAs are viewed more favourably than full strokes. Ischaemic strokes are viewed more favourably than haemorrhagic strokes. Under 6 months since the event, most insurers postpone. Between 6 and 12 months, specialist consideration is possible. From 1 to 3 years with good recovery, terms improve meaningfully. At 3 or more years with full recovery, many people can get cover approaching standard rates with a loading. Full recovery versus residual disability is a massive differentiator. The cause being identified and addressed (for example, atrial fibrillation now on anticoagulation) is also very positive.
What insurers ask stroke and TIA survivors
Stroke underwriting is detailed. The more information you have about your event, the more accurately an insurer can assess your application.
When did the stroke or TIA occur?
Time since the event is the single most important factor. Most insurers will not consider an application within 6 months of a stroke or TIA. The longer the gap with no further events, the more favourably the application is viewed. Each additional year of clear history improves your position.
Was it a stroke or a TIA?
A TIA (transient ischaemic attack) is temporary and resolves completely within 24 hours, leaving no lasting damage. A full stroke causes lasting brain injury. TIAs are viewed more favourably by insurers because the long-term risk profile is lower, though they are still taken seriously as a warning event.
What type of stroke was it?
Ischaemic stroke (caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain) accounts for about 85% of strokes and is generally viewed more favourably than haemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding in or around the brain). Haemorrhagic strokes carry a higher risk of recurrence and are harder to insure.
Do you have any residual symptoms or disability?
The degree of recovery is a critical factor. Full recovery with no residual symptoms is the best scenario for insurance purposes. Residual weakness, speech difficulties, cognitive changes, or any ongoing disability all affect the underwriting outcome. The distinction between full and partial recovery is one of the biggest differentiators in stroke insurance.
Was the cause identified and addressed?
Insurers want to know whether the underlying cause has been found and treated. Atrial fibrillation now managed with anticoagulation, carotid stenosis treated with endarterectomy, or a patent foramen ovale that has been closed - these are all positive. An unexplained stroke with no identifiable cause is viewed with more caution.
What medication are you on?
Standard post-stroke medication (antiplatelets such as aspirin or clopidogrel, anticoagulants such as apixaban or warfarin, statins, and blood pressure medication) is expected and does not in itself cause concern. It shows appropriate medical management. The type of anticoagulant may also indicate the underlying cause (e.g. anticoagulants suggest atrial fibrillation).
Know your stroke details before calling
Type of stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic), when it occurred, your level of recovery, and what medication you are on. These details let our specialist brokers give you an accurate picture.
Get QuoteHow time since the event affects your options
The gap since your stroke or TIA is the primary driver of what insurers will offer. Here is the typical progression.
Under 6 months
Usually postponed
Most insurers will not consider an application within 6 months of a stroke or TIA. The risk of recurrence is highest in the early period, and recovery is still ongoing. This is a postponement, not a decline - you are being asked to reapply later rather than being permanently refused.
6-12 months
Some specialist consideration
Some specialist insurers will begin to consider applications in this window, particularly for TIAs with full recovery. Loadings will be significant - typically +150% to +300% or more. For a full stroke, most insurers still prefer to wait until the 12-month mark. Approaching a specialist broker at this stage is important to avoid unnecessary declines from mainstream insurers who are not yet ready to engage.
1-3 years
Improving terms
The window from 1 to 3 years is where options open up meaningfully. For a TIA with full recovery, loadings may come down to +75% to +150%. For an ischaemic stroke with full recovery, +100% to +200% is typical. Full recovery is key - residual symptoms at this stage will keep loadings higher and limit the number of insurers willing to quote. The cause being identified and managed is increasingly important.
3-5+ years, full recovery
Approaching standard with loading
At 3 or more years post-event with full recovery and no further strokes or TIAs, terms improve significantly. For a TIA, loadings may be as low as +25% to +75%. For an ischaemic stroke with full recovery, +50% to +150% is typical. Multiple insurers compete at this point, which means a broker can shop for the best terms. This is the point where many people are genuinely surprised by how reasonable their premiums are.
How stroke type affects underwriting
TIA (transient ischaemic attack)
A TIA is a temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain that resolves completely within 24 hours. It is a serious warning event, but because there is no lasting damage, insurers view it more favourably than a full stroke. TIAs with full recovery and an identified, treated cause (such as atrial fibrillation or carotid stenosis) have the best insurance outcomes of any cerebrovascular event.
Ischaemic stroke
Ischaemic stroke (caused by a blood clot) is the most common type and is assessed based on severity, recovery, and time since the event. A minor ischaemic stroke with full recovery is viewed significantly more favourably than a major stroke with residual disability. Key factors include:
- The extent of brain tissue affected - small infarcts are better than large territory strokes
- Whether thrombolysis or thrombectomy was performed and was successful
- The degree of recovery at 3, 6, and 12 months post-stroke
- Whether the underlying cause has been identified (AF, carotid disease, cardiac source) and treated
- Blood pressure control and cholesterol management post-event
Haemorrhagic stroke
Haemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding in the brain) is viewed as more serious than ischaemic stroke for insurance purposes. Recurrence risk is higher, and the outcomes are typically more severe.
- Intracerebral haemorrhage (bleeding within the brain tissue) - the most serious type. Longer postponement periods and higher loadings than ischaemic stroke
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding in the space around the brain, often from an aneurysm) - assessed based on the cause. If an aneurysm was successfully coiled or clipped, and recovery is complete, outcomes can be better than intracerebral haemorrhage
- Haemorrhagic strokes typically require longer clear periods before insurers will offer competitive terms - often 3 to 5 years minimum for reasonable loadings
Stroke or TIA? The details make the difference.
Tell us the type of event, when it happened, your recovery level, and what medication you are on. Our specialist brokers will give you a straight answer on your options.
Get QuoteWhy recovery level matters so much
The difference between full recovery and residual disability is one of the single biggest factors in stroke insurance underwriting.
Full recovery means you have returned to your pre-stroke level of function with no residual symptoms. You can work, drive, and carry out all daily activities as before. This is the scenario that attracts the best insurance terms.
Near-full recovery with minor residual effects (for example, occasional mild fatigue or subtle cognitive changes that do not affect daily life) is still viewed positively, though loadings will be slightly higher than for complete recovery.
Significant residual disability (weakness affecting mobility, significant speech or communication difficulties, cognitive impairment, inability to work) substantially changes the underwriting picture. Options are much more limited, and loadings are much higher if terms are offered at all. For severe residual disability, guaranteed acceptance may be the primary route.
What a stroke or TIA does to premiums
Premium loadings depend on the type of event, time elapsed, and recovery. Here are indicative ranges assuming full or near-full recovery:
- TIA, 1 year ago, full recovery - +75% to +150%
- TIA, 3+ years ago, full recovery - +25% to +75%
- Ischaemic stroke, 1-2 years ago, full recovery - +100% to +200%
- Ischaemic stroke, 3+ years ago, full recovery - +50% to +150%
- Haemorrhagic stroke, 2-3 years ago, full recovery - +150% to +250%
- Haemorrhagic stroke, 5+ years ago, full recovery - +75% to +175%
- Any stroke with residual disability - Significantly higher loadings; individual assessment required
The honest answer
Stroke insurance is a story of time and recovery. If you had a TIA three or more years ago with a full recovery and the cause was identified and treated, you are likely to get surprisingly reasonable terms. If you had a haemorrhagic stroke six months ago with ongoing residual effects, the standard market is not going to help right now - and our partner brokers will tell you that rather than letting you apply and collect a decline. The timing of your application matters enormously. Applying too early risks a decline on your record. Waiting until the right moment means a better outcome first time. That is exactly the kind of guidance a specialist broker provides.
Critical illness cover after stroke or TIA
Critical illness cover after a stroke or TIA is harder to obtain than life insurance. Most insurers will offer critical illness with a cerebrovascular exclusion, meaning the policy would not pay out for a future stroke but would cover cancer, heart attack, and other specified conditions. For a TIA with full recovery at 3 or more years, some insurers may offer critical illness without exclusion, but this is not the norm.
Critical illness with a stroke exclusion still provides significant protection. Whether it is worthwhile depends on your personal priorities and circumstances - our partner brokers can help you make that decision.
Income protection after stroke or TIA
Income protection after a stroke depends heavily on your recovery. If you have made a full recovery and returned to work, income protection may be available with a cerebrovascular exclusion. If you have residual disability affecting your ability to work, individual income protection is very difficult to obtain. Group income protection through an employer, which often has limited medical underwriting, may provide cover regardless of your stroke history.
Put your policy in trust
Having worked to secure life insurance after a stroke, it makes sense to ensure the payout reaches the right people efficiently. Writing your policy in trust means it is paid directly to your beneficiaries, outside your estate, without probate delays or inheritance tax liability. Our partner brokers set this up on every policy at no extra cost.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
How long after a stroke should I wait before applying for life insurance?
Most insurers will not consider applications within 6 months of a stroke or TIA. For a TIA with full recovery, some specialist insurers may consider applications from 6-12 months. For a full stroke, 12 months is typically the earliest, with better terms available from 2-3 years. Applying too early risks a decline that stays on your record and can complicate future applications.
Is a TIA treated the same as a stroke for insurance?
No. A TIA is viewed more favourably because there is no lasting brain damage. TIAs still carry a future stroke risk, so insurers do apply loadings, but they are typically lower than for a full stroke. A TIA with full recovery and an identified, treated cause has the best outcomes.
I had a stroke but made a full recovery. Will I get standard rates?
Standard rates after a full stroke are unlikely in the first few years. However, at 3-5+ years with complete recovery and no further events, loadings can be relatively modest (perhaps +50% to +100% for an ischaemic stroke). The premiums may be closer to standard than you expect, particularly if you are otherwise healthy.
Does it matter whether my stroke was caused by a clot or a bleed?
Yes, significantly. Ischaemic stroke (clot) is the more common type and is generally viewed more favourably by insurers. Haemorrhagic stroke (bleed) carries a higher recurrence risk and typically results in longer postponement periods and higher loadings. If your haemorrhagic stroke was caused by an aneurysm that has been successfully treated, this can improve the outlook.
I take blood thinners after my stroke. Does this affect my insurance?
Taking antiplatelet medication (aspirin, clopidogrel) or anticoagulants (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban) after a stroke is expected and does not in itself negatively affect your application. In fact, being on appropriate secondary prevention medication reassures the underwriter that your future stroke risk is being managed. Not being on recommended medication would be more concerning.
Can I get mortgage life insurance after a stroke?
Yes. Mortgage life insurance (decreasing term cover) is available after a stroke, subject to the same underwriting as any other life insurance. The premiums will be higher due to the loading, but decreasing term is cheaper than level term, which helps offset the additional cost. There is no reason a stroke should prevent you from buying a home.
Get honest advice about insurance after stroke or TIA
Tell us the type of event, when it happened, and your level of recovery. Our specialist brokers will tell you the right time to apply and which insurer will give you the best terms.
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