Cystic fibrosis affects a considerable number of people but as our knowledge of the condition improves and as treatments become increasingly effective, cystic fibrosis is no longer a barrier to accessing life insurance.  Pulse Insurance is now able to offer longer term life cover for those affected by cystic fibrosis right through until age 50 even for longer term mortgage cover for terms up to 25 years.  For those over 50 Pulse’s maximum term will be shorter (max 10 years) but cover may still be available.  The key things we will want to consider when assessing a case are as follows:

• BMI over 20 (and ideally over 22)
• Working full time or normal lifestyle
• Less than 1 major flare up per annum
• No complications such as diabetes or other medical conditions
• Lung function more than 45% (and ideally more than 55%)

In the Republic of Ireland our maximum term is 10 years and we would look at these same criteria.

A recent case study produced by Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) highlights the problems that people living with cystic fibrosis face there and this despite the fact that the European Respiratory Journal forecast that the total number of cystic fibrosis patients in Ireland would grow by 50% by 2025:  their case-files confirm that it is most likely that the vast majority of people with cystic fibrosis will be refused life insurance and/or mortgage protection cover from the various providers in Ireland.  Whilst they recognise that this is a complex issue, they conclude that access to mortgages and life insurance linked to mortgages remains a key barrier to home ownership for people with cystic fibrosis.

The fact that Pulse can offer life cover for people with cystic fibrosis in the UK and Ireland is a massive step forward. For more information, please contact our office on 01280841430 or via email, alternatively, you can also enquire online.