How insurers assess epilepsy for life insurance
Insurers do not treat epilepsy as a simple yes or no. They look at your seizure history and how well your condition is managed, then decide terms from there. Well-controlled epilepsy with a long seizure-free period can achieve standard or near-standard terms with some insurers. More recent or frequent seizures may mean a higher price. One insurer's no is not every insurer's no, and knowing the difference is our job.
Reviewed by Andy Stevens, Co-Founder and Epilepsy Insurance Specialist, Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII) and Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, at More Than Money Ltd. Last reviewed: 29 August 2026.
What insurers look at when you have epilepsy
A few things genuinely influence an epilepsy application, and insurers weigh them differently:
- When your last seizure was. Seizure-free time is usually your strongest asset. The longer it has been, the stronger your position.
- How often seizures happen. Someone with occasional seizures is assessed very differently from someone with frequent ones.
- The type of seizures. Whether you lose consciousness matters to underwriters.
- Your medication. Stable, consistent treatment reads well. Recent changes usually prompt more questions.
- How long you have been diagnosed. A long, settled track record counts in your favour.
- Hospital admissions. Recent seizure-related admissions can affect terms. Older ones usually matter much less.
None of these decide the outcome on their own.
How time since your last seizure affects your application
The longer you have gone without a seizure, the stronger your position tends to be. Many insurers look for a sustained seizure-free period before offering their best terms, and the exact length each insurer wants varies. There are no guarantees, but a long, stable seizure-free record is the single most helpful thing most applicants can show.
Does the type of seizure matter?
Yes. Insurers consider the type of seizures you have, whether you lose consciousness, and how your epilepsy is managed. Different insurers weigh these differently, so the same person can get quite different answers from different companies. Here is a plain-English guide to the main types:
| Seizure type | In plain terms | Why underwriters ask |
|---|---|---|
| Tonic-clonic (grand mal) | Stiffening followed by jerking, usually with loss of consciousness | Loss of consciousness and injury risk are relevant to underwriters |
| Focal (partial) | Starts in one area of the brain. Awareness may be kept or lost | Whether awareness is affected can change how it is assessed |
| Absence (petit mal) | Brief lapses of awareness, often lasting only seconds | Often assessed more favourably when well controlled |
| Myoclonic | Sudden, brief muscle jerks | Often occurs alongside other types, which insurers consider together |
| Nocturnal (sleep) seizures | Seizures that happen only during sleep | A settled pattern over time can be a positive signal |
Grand mal and petit mal are older terms you may still see. Today these are usually called tonic-clonic and absence seizures.
Does my epilepsy medication affect the outcome?
Usually the medication itself is not the problem. Stable, consistent treatment on the same anti-seizure medication tends to read well, because it shows your condition is being managed. Recent changes to your medication can prompt more questions, as insurers may want to understand why. Being on treatment is not, on its own, a reason for a higher premium.
Will the insurer contact my GP?
Sometimes. In straightforward cases an insurer can often make a decision from your application answers alone. In others, they may ask your GP for a short medical report. This only happens with your consent, the insurer pays for it, and you have the right to see the report. Having your key facts ready, such as your diagnosis date, seizure dates and current medication, helps things move more smoothly. If a report is needed, we arrange it and chase it for you.
Does holding a driving licence help?
It can be a helpful signal. Under DVLA rules, a driver whose seizures affect their consciousness must be seizure-free for at least 12 months before they are allowed to drive. So holding a current licence can show underwriters that your condition has been settled for a while. It is one signal among many, not a deciding factor on its own.
What affects the cost?
There is no single price for epilepsy life insurance, and we do not quote example figures, because your terms depend on your own situation. The main things that can affect cost are how long you have been seizure-free, the type of seizures and whether consciousness is affected, how often seizures happen, how stable your medication is, how long you have been diagnosed, and your general health and lifestyle. Different insurers weigh these differently, which is why comparing the right insurers often makes the biggest difference.
The quickest way to find out where you stand is to tell us about your epilepsy. It takes about 90 seconds and there's no obligation.
What if I was diagnosed recently, or have had surgery?
A very recent diagnosis, a recent seizure, or a recent change such as surgery can mean an insurer prefers to wait before offering terms. This is called a postponement, and it is not the same as being declined. It is common, and time usually helps your position. The same goes if you have only ever had one seizure: some insurers will want to see how things settle, and others will look at it sooner. We'll tell you honestly whether it is worth applying now or waiting a little.
A note on SUDEP
You may come across SUDEP, which stands for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, when reading about the condition. Epilepsy Society describes it as rare, affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 people with epilepsy each year, and notes that good seizure control is one of the things that can help reduce risk. It is one of the reasons insurers look closely at seizure control and seizure-free periods. If your epilepsy is well managed, that is exactly the picture insurers want to see.
Every insurer is different, and a decline or a high quote from one is not the final word. Been turned away before? Read what to do after a decline. Tell us about your epilepsy and we'll tell you honestly what's possible.
Reviewed by Andy Stevens, Co-Founder and Epilepsy Insurance Specialist, Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII) and Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, at More Than Money Ltd.