Life insurance if you have a pacemaker
You can get life insurance if you have a pacemaker, but you'll probably pay a little more for cover.
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In some circumstances, you'll have to pay higher premiums, depending on your condition, but you should be able to get cover.
Am I covered by life insurance if I have a pacemaker?
Yes. All causes of death are generally covered by life insurance. You'll have to let the insurer know that you have a pacemaker, which may increase the amount you'll pay, depending on your condition, but you should be able to get cover.
Otherwise, they'll let you know. You can also check the product disclosure statement (PDS) for exclusions and ask the insurer directly.
Compare providers that cover pacemaker use
We found 10 policies in Australia that cover you if you have a pacemaker. During the application process, it's important you let the insurer know about your pacemaker so that you can get cover tailored to your needs.
Can I get life insurance if I have a pacemaker?
Yes, it's possible to get life insurance if you have a pacemaker, particularly if it's helping you to live a normal, healthy lifestyle. However, because most people have a pacemaker due to a heart condition, it's very likely you'll be charged more. If you're struggling to find cover, keep in mind:

How long you've had a pacemaker
The longer the better, provided that you've had no symptoms related to your heart condition. This is because life insurance providers want to know that the pacemaker has had a positive overall impact on your health.

You can speak to an adviser
Having an irregular heart rhythm and a pacemaker is considered a pre-existing medical condition. Advisers can be helpful because they know what to look for and they're not tied to one insurance provider.
An adviser can help you find cover from trusted life insurance brands.
- Get competitive quotes from multiple brands
- Lower rate of declined claims (according to ASIC)
- Save time and effort

Do I have to let my insurer know if I get a pacemaker while I have cover?
When you apply for a policy, your premiums are worked out based on your current health, lifestyle, age and job. If any of those things change once your policy has been accepted, which they inevitably will, you don't generally need to inform your insurer.
However, if you want to update or alter your policy – say you want to increase your life insurance benefit - then you will have to provide updated personal information, including that you've got a pacemaker.
Do I have to declare that I have a pacemaker before taking out cover?
✅ Yes. You need to let your insurer know about your pacemaker and heart condition or you risk invalidating your cover, meaning that any future claim you make will likely be rejected. It's crucial that you're honest.
When you take out life insurance, you'll usually have to provide a detailed account of your medical history. This often requires some kind of medical exam to assess your health. It's essentially to help the provider determine how much of a risk you are to insure and work out how much to charge you.
You'll also be asked questions about your:
- Overall health
- Diet, exercise, lifestyle
- Condition history (e.g. how long you've had the condition and pacemaker)
- Occupation
Is it worth getting life insurance if I have a pacemaker?
Absolutely. Having a pacemaker shouldn't necessarily make it a whole lot more difficult or expensive to get life insurance. If anything, it can show insurers that you've had a heart condition that is now stable thanks to the pacemaker, provided you've not had any symptoms for some time.
Even if the cost of your cover is increased marginally or considerably, life insurance is really important if you want peace of mind and financial security. It can pay off debts from your mortgage to your car loan and ensures that you're not leaving your loved ones in the lurch.
Getting life insurance if you have a pacemaker isn't as difficult as you might think. There are policies out there for you. 🔎 Begin comparing here.
FAQs about life insurance and pacemakers
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