MS Life Insurance: The Complete UK Guide (2026)

Can You Get Life Insurance with MS in the UK?

The short answer is yes — in most cases, you can get life insurance. Multiple sclerosis is a pre-existing condition, and it will affect the underwriting process, but it does not automatically result in a decline. Thousands of people with MS secure life cover every year in the UK, often at prices that are more affordable than they initially expected.

That said, the outcome varies considerably depending on the type of MS you have, how long you have been diagnosed, the severity of your symptoms, and how your condition is being managed. This is why comparing life insurance quotes across multiple insurers — rather than going directly to one provider- matters so much to people with MS.

Key point: Under the Equality Act 2010, insurance companies cannot refuse to consider your application simply because you have MS. However, they are legally permitted to adjust premiums or apply exclusions if they can demonstrate a statistically higher claim risk.

MS in the UK: Key Statistics You Should Know

• More than 150,000 people are currently living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK.

• Around 7,100 new MS cases are diagnosed every year.

• That equals nearly 135 new diagnoses every week across the UK.

• Women account for nearly 71% of all MS patients in the country.

• A 2024 report by the MS Society found that the number of people living with MS increased by almost 13%, rising from 130,000 in 2019 to over 150,000.

• A 2026 study published in JAMA Neurology by researchers from University College London and Imperial College London estimated that as many as 190,000 people in England alone may now be living with MS.

• Experts believe the rise is linked to:

  • Better and earlier diagnosis

  • Improved awareness

  • Longer survival rates due to advanced disease-modifying treatments and therapies

According to Professor Olga Ciccarelli, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 2026 people with MS are living longer than ever before, thanks to better care, disease-modifying therapies, and earlier diagnosis."

This improving prognosis is directly relevant to life insurance: as people with MS live longer and the condition becomes more manageable, insurers are increasingly willing to offer competitive terms, particularly for those with mild or well-controlled relapsing-remitting MS.

Is MS a Pre-Existing Condition for Insurance Purposes?

Yes. If you received your MS diagnosis before applying for a life insurance policy, it is classified as a pre-existing medical condition. This has two practical implications.

First, you are legally obligated to disclose your diagnosis during the application process. 

Withholding it — known as non-disclosure — can invalidate your policy and result in a claim being rejected, leaving your family without the financial protection you intended to provide.

Second, the insurer will use information about your MS to determine your risk profile and calculate your premium. They cannot refuse to consider your application outright, but they may load your premium (charge more), apply specific exclusions, or in more severe cases, decline cover through standard channels.

Also read, Life insurance for the overweight 

How Insurers Assess Your MS Application?

Insurers use a process called underwriting to assess the risk associated with your application. For people with MS, this goes beyond standard health questions and will typically involve a detailed medical questionnaire. You should be prepared to answer questions about:

• The type of MS you have (relapsing-remitting, secondary progressive, or primary progressive)

• Your date of diagnosis and your age at the time

• The date and severity of your most recent relapse

• Current symptoms and their impact on your daily life

• Whether you require any mobility aids

• Your current medication and how well it is managing your condition

• Whether you have any associated complications (such as cognitive difficulties or problems swallowing)

• Your EDSS score (Expanded Disability Status Scale) — a standard measure of disability in MS

• Your work status and whether your condition affects your ability to work

• Recent MRI results, if available

In some cases, an insurer may request a copy of your medical records from your GP, or ask you to attend a short medical examination — arranged at their expense and at a time to suit you. Every insurer uses different underwriting criteria, which is why two providers can offer substantially different premiums for the same applicant on the same day. This variation is why comparing multiple quotes is essential.

How Each Type of MS Affects Your Premiums?

The type of MS you have is one of the single biggest factors in how an insurer will assess your application. Here is how the three main types typically map to underwriting outcomes in 2026.

Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS)

This is the most common form of MS in the UK, affecting around 85% of people at diagnosis. It involves episodes of new or worsening symptoms (relapses) followed by periods of partial or full recovery. For underwriting purposes, RRMS with mild symptoms, infrequent relapses, and no significant disability generally attracts the most favourable terms among the three types, and standard life cover is often achievable, albeit at a loaded premium.

Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS)

Many people with RRMS eventually transition to SPMS, where symptoms steadily worsen over time rather than coming in distinct episodes. Because disability progression is more predictable and typically more significant, insurers view this type as higher risk. Standard mainstream insurers may decline, but specialist impaired-risk providers may still offer terms — often at significantly higher premiums or with restrictive conditions.

Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)

PPMS affects roughly 10 to 15% of people with MS and involves a steady worsening of symptoms from the outset, without distinct relapses. For mainstream insurers, this is the most difficult type to underwrite. However, specialist brokers with access to impaired-risk insurers may still be able to find viable cover, particularly if your disability level remains relatively low.

How Much Does MS Life Insurance Cost in the UK?

Cost depends on a combination of your MS-specific factors and standard underwriting variables (age, smoking status, BMI, and the level and term of cover you require). Because MS attracts a premium loading, you will generally pay more than a person without a pre-existing condition — but the range is wide.

These are indicative figures. Your actual quote will differ based on individual circumstances. The most important takeaway is that there is significant variation between insurers — one provider might offer £18/month while another quotes £28/month for the same applicant. Comparing multiple quotes is not optional; it is the most powerful tool available to reduce your premium.

Read: Go through the average life insurance cost in UK 

Types of Life Insurance Available to People with MS

The same policy types available to everyone are also available to people with MS — though medical underwriting means that eligibility and cost will vary. Here is a breakdown of each option.

Level Term Life Insurance

This is the most common form of term insurance in the UK. It pays a fixed lump sum if you die within the policy term (typically 10 to 40 years). The payout amount stays the same throughout the term. It is well-suited to people with financial dependents, a mortgage, or significant family expenses. Medical information is required, so MS will be considered during underwriting.

Decreasing Term Life Insurance

Similar to a level term, but the payout amount reduces over time — usually in line with the balance of a repayment mortgage. Because the insurer's potential liability spans the policy term, premiums are generally lower than for level term. Useful specifically for covering a mortgage; less useful for leaving an inheritance or covering family living costs.

Whole of Life Insurance

Unlike term cover, whole life insurance has no end date — it pays out whenever you die, as long as premiums have been kept up. Because a payout is effectively guaranteed, premiums are considerably higher than for term policies. It is commonly used for inheritance tax planning (written in trust) or to guarantee a funeral fund. MS will affect both eligibility and premium level.

Over 50s Life Insurance (Guaranteed Acceptance)

For UK residents aged 50 to 85, over 50s life insurance offers guaranteed acceptance, whole-of-life plans are available with no medical questions. This means your MS will have zero impact on your eligibility or your monthly premium. The trade-off is a lower maximum sum assured (often capped at £20,000) and a 12- to 24-month waiting period before the full death benefit is payable. It is an excellent option if you primarily need to cover funeral costs or leave a small inheritance and have struggled to secure cover through standard channels.

There are other options that can be added to your standard tlife cover such as: 

Critical Illness Cover (CIC)

Critical illness cover pays a tax-free lump sum if you are diagnosed with one of a specified list of serious conditions. MS is a standard defined condition on virtually all UK critical illness policies. This means:

• If you already have MS, you cannot get a new critical illness policy that covers MS — it is a pre-existing condition, and no insurer can cover something that already exists

• If you already hold a critical illness policy taken out before your MS diagnosis, this is an extremely valuable asset — do not cancel it without taking specialist advice, and check your policy documents, as your diagnosis may already trigger a valid claim

• CIC taken out after diagnosis may still be available, but MS and related conditions will be explicitly excluded

Income Protection Insurance

Income protection replaces a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to illness or disability. Because MS is an unpredictable, relapsing condition, it is extremely difficult to obtain a new personal income protection policy after diagnosis. Most mainstream and specialist insurers will either decline or entirely exclude MS-related incapacity. If you have an existing policy in place, protect it carefully.

If you are newly diagnosed and do not yet have income protection or critical illness cover in place, speak to a specialist broker urgently. Acting quickly, before your condition progresses, gives you the best chance of securing meaningful protection beyond basic life cover.

Wrapping It Up

Getting life insurance with MS in the UK is far more achievable today than many people assume. While your diagnosis will influence underwriting and premiums, many insurers now offer competitive cover for well-managed cases. Comparing quotes, understanding your options, and using a specialist broker can significantly improve your chances of securing affordable financial protection.

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