Life insurance when pregnant

Pregnancy is such an exciting time, but it does come with a long list of expenses. Purchasing life insurance when pregnant may seem like just another item on this list, but it’s an important one.

Nobody wants to think about their loved ones having to manage without them, but, when you have a dependant like a child, this is unavoidable.

Being pregnant doesn’t mean it’s too late to get cover, though it might come with some limitations if you’re further along in your pregnancy.

Can you get life insurance when you’re pregnant?

Yes. In fact, this is when many people decide to take out life insurance, driven by the thought of having someone completely dependent on them.

That said, getting life insurance when pregnant may be easier in your first trimester, as certain complications might arise in your second or third trimesters (such as high blood pressure or hypertension) that would mean the insurer postpones the start of your policy until after you’ve given birth.

Why would I need it?

Raising a child is not easy and, crucially, not cheap. The responsibility and expenses are considerable.

It’s a terrible thing to think about, but imagine if you weren’t around to look after and provide for your child. How would they manage? Even if your partner was still there, would they manage on just the one salary? Life insurance helps ease the worries by assuring you your loved ones will be looked after even if you can’t be there in person.

How to apply for life insurance when you’re pregnant

The application process will be largely the same whether or not you’re pregnant, but it’s worth clarifying a few points:

• Weight. When prompted, provide your pre-pregnancy weight or an estimation close to it.
• Smoking. Unless you have been free from nicotine products (including cigarettes, e-cigarettes and nicotine replacements) for at least 12 months as a minimum, you will still be considered a smoker.
• Alcohol consumption. The insurer will likely ask for your current alcohol consumption, but also if this has changed at all during the last few months. Answer truthfully to avoid invalidating your policy.

Do I need to tell my insurance provider if I am pregnant?

If you’re applying for new cover, you will need to be completely honest about all health-related conditions, including pregnancy.

Failing to do this can invalidate your policy altogether, which might mean no payout is given out, despite you paying your premiums in full.

Do I need to change my life insurance when I have a baby?

You don’t have to, but you might want to.

If you already have an existing life insurance policy in place, you’re under no obligation to tell your insurer you’re pregnant or inform it when you’ve had your baby.

However, you might want to increase your cover to align with having a new dependant to look after. This can mean higher premiums, but that could be a good opportunity to shop around and see if you can get a better deal on your insurance with a new provider.

What if I have complications with my pregnancy?

Certain conditions associated with pregnancy, such as anaemia and hypertension, can mean your insurer postpones cover until after you give birth.

For this reason, consider arranging life insurance as early as possible, as these complications tend to arise later in the pregnancy.

Will life insurance cost more if I am pregnant?

Being pregnant shouldn’t have a bearing on the cost of your insurance, as long as there are no underlying health conditions or complications involved.

Just like at any other time, the insurer will take into account your lifestyle and any existing medical conditions (this doesn’t include pregnancy) to calculate your premiums.

Frequently asked questions

• When asked if I smoke, does that mean in the last 12 months or just while pregnant?

  An insurer will consider you a smoker unless you’ve been entirely nicotine free for at least 12 months, as a minimum. This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement products.

  So, even if you’ve not smoked for several months because of your pregnancy, you must still declare yourself a smoker to avoid invalidating your policy.

• When asked for my weight, do I put my current pregnancy weight or my usual weight?

  Use your weight immediately before the pregnancy. If you’re not sure, use an estimate.

• When asked for my weekly consumption of alcohol, what should I say?

  If asked for your current alcohol consumption level, answer based on what you drink while pregnant (if at all). The insurer may also ask if this number has changed recently – always answer this truthfully to avoid invalidating your cover.