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By
Gary Ross HunterEdited by
Tim BennettUpdated
A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply and vital nutrients to your brain. Most strokes are caused by a blockage of arteries leading to the brain; others are caused when a blood vessel bursts and bleeds into brain tissue.
Any stroke is regarded as a medical emergency. It can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability and even death. Signs of a stroke include sudden weakness and severe headaches, paralysis, difficulty with sight and speech and numbness on one side of the face or body.
Yes. All causes of death are generally covered by life insurance, including strokes.
When you buy a policy, it's also worth checking if there are waiting periods for causes of death. A waiting period is the time you have to serve before you can be covered. Generally, the only waiting period that applies to life insurance is in relation to suicide. Otherwise, most will cover all causes of death after the cover commencement day. To be sure though, you can ask the insurer about waiting periods.
It can be difficult depending on the severity of your condition, but it's possible. A stroke is considered a pre-existing medical condition, so it's crucial that you let the insurer know about it. Otherwise, you risk future claims being rejected. That's also why it's best to go with a brand that provides medical underwriting.
Once you've let them know about your condition, one of the following is likely to happen:
If you're struggling to find a policy, it's worth speaking with an adviser to find out the best way for you to get cover with a pre-existing condition. They can be helpful because they know the ins and outs of the industry and they aren't tied to one company so are able to offer you quotes from multiple companies.
Your life insurance premiums are based on your health, occupation and lifestyle at the time you take out a policy – not whilst you have a policy. So once your cover is in place, and you've honestly disclosed all the necessary information, future changes usually should not affect your premiums or your policy's status.
The only reason it can change is if you want to alter or update your policy. At this time, you'll need to go through the underwriting process again.
Yes. You need to disclose that you've had a stroke before taking out cover because it's a pre-existing medical condition which you need to declare.
But it shouldn't stop you from getting cover. Asking questions about your health are all part of the underwriting process insurers use to work out how much you'll need to pay. They'll also take into account your family medical history, your age, occupation and lifestyle habits.
Yes. If you've had a stroke, the last thing you want to do is assume that life insurance isn't worth it. If anything, it's a reminder of just how important it is to have your and your loved ones' financial future secured.
The cost of your cover will be based on the severity and type of stroke you had, so it's crucial you're truthful or you risk invalidating your policy. But even if your policy costs more because of your condition, it's a price worth paying if you don't want to leave your family with lots of debt and expenses to pay.
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The severity of your stroke is a primary factor insurers consider. They will assess the initial impact, your recovery progress, any residual symptoms or disabilities and whether you require ongoing medication or treatment. A mild stroke with a full and sustained recovery will generally be viewed more favourably than a severe stroke that resulted in significant lasting impairment. This assessment directly influences the premium you pay or any specific exclusions that may be applied to your policy.
Yes, the type of stroke can matter to insurers. Ischaemic strokes which are caused by a blood clot are generally assessed differently from haemorrhagic strokes, which are caused by bleeding in the brain. Transient ischaemic attacks or TIAs, also known as mini-strokes, may result in less severe underwriting outcomes if they were isolated incidents with full recovery and no underlying health issues. Insurers will delve into the root cause of your stroke to understand your future risk profile.
When applying for life insurance after a stroke you will need to provide comprehensive medical information. This typically includes the date of the stroke, its type and severity, details of the treatment you received, the duration of your hospitalisation your recovery progress any lingering symptoms and all current medications. Your insurer will usually request access to your medical records from your GP or specialists to gather a complete picture of your health.
While no single insurer exclusively specialises in covering stroke patients, all life insurance companies assess pre-existing medical conditions. Some insurers may have more flexible underwriting guidelines or a greater willingness to offer cover with specific loadings or exclusions rather than an outright refusal. Engaging with a life insurance adviser can be highly beneficial as they have a deep understanding of the market and can guide you towards insurers more likely to offer suitable cover.
Yes, it is often possible to get life insurance through your superannuation fund after a stroke. Many super funds offer default life insurance cover which might not require extensive medical underwriting for basic levels of cover. However, if you apply for higher levels of cover or attempt to switch super funds or providers you will likely undergo full underwriting. In these cases you must declare your stroke history and it will be assessed accordingly.
A full recovery from a stroke is a significant positive factor for insurers. They will still consider the initial severity of the stroke, the time that has passed since the event, and any ongoing lifestyle factors or medications you are taking. While a full recovery can improve your chances of obtaining cover and potentially lead to a lower premium, it does not remove the obligation to declare the stroke or eliminate the insurer's need to perform a comprehensive risk assessment.
Gary Ross Hunter has over 6 years of expertise writing about insurance, including life, health, home, and car insurance. Having reviewed hundreds of product disclosure statements and published over 800 articles, he loves simplifying complex insurance topics for everyday readers. Gary has contributed to major outlets like Yahoo Finance, The Sydney Morning Herald, and news.com.au, and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English Literature from the University of Glasgow, along with a Tier 2 General Advice certification, ensuring his work adheres to ASIC’s RG146 standards. See full bio
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