A leading independent financial adviser estimates that as many as 82,500 UK adults could be turned down this year for life insurance, critical illness and income protection, because they have an existing or past medical condition.

However, the company is urging people faced with rejection to seek the help of an expert independent broker, who will usually be able to secure them cover which takes account of this condition.

Chris Jones, Financial Planning Technical Manager at Charcol, says: “As insurers tighten their policy terms, and once fatal diseases prove increasingly survivable, a growing group is viewed as uninsurable.”

“But while many mainstream insurers may initially refuse cover to those applying direct, an experienced broker can often negotiate tailored terms, meaning people can still obtain vital financial protection, albeit in some cases at either a higher cost or with certain exemptions.”

According to Charcol, a history of Circulatory Problems (heart disease or blood pressure), Cancer, Crohn’s Disease, or increasingly, Diabetes, are the biggest causes of initial rejection by insurers. However to emphasise the benefit of negotiating through an independent broker, Charcol gives the following examples where protection can usually be secured, but only after bespoke negotiation:

• A 45 year old man who had suffered a heart attack 3 years ago
• A 35 year old woman with MS
• A woman suffering from Diabetes
• A man with a faulty heart valve
• A man with bowel Cancer
• A woman with deep vein thrombosis

Jones is concerned that those who are turned down should not simply give up, leaving themselves unprotected. “Securing protection could mean the difference between financial comfort and severe difficulties for you or your family should the worst happen,” he says. “Just because someone has a history of one medical condition, this should not strike them out for all forms of cover and types of illness.”