Have you ever been told that you can't get Life Insurance, TPD Insurance, Income Protection or Trauma Insurance because of your medical history or occupation? 

Before assuming that no insurer will cover you, there is something important to understand: 

Different insurance companies can make very different underwriting decisions. 

One insurer may decline an application. Another may offer cover with a premium loading. Another may apply an exclusion.  And another may be willing to offer the cover without any special terms. 

This is because every insurer has its own underwriting guidelines, risk appetite and approach to assessing medical and occupational risks. 

At Mortgage Protect, we regularly speak with insurers before submitting applications where a client's circumstances may be more complicated. The aim is to understand how different insurers may view the situation and identify potential options before moving forward. 

Here are some real-world examples of how dramatically underwriting decisions can differ. 

Example 1: Can You Get Insurance After a TPD Claim? 

The client had previously made a TPD claim through his super fund following PTSD that developed from work-related circumstances. As a result of that claim, his Life Insurance also ended.  Several years later, his circumstances had changed significantly. 

He was working in a completely different role, his symptoms had largely resolved, he was no longer taking medication and he continued to maintain regular contact with his treating professionals. 

Several insurers indicated they would be willing to consider Life, TPD, Trauma and Income Protection, subject to their normal underwriting requirements and a mental health exclusion would likely apply to TPD and Income Protection, and medical reports could also be required. 

There was no guarantee of cover, but the important lesson was this, a previous TPD claim doesn't necessarily mean you can never obtain insurance again.  

Example 2: A History of Depression and No Mental Health Exclusion 

I've also helped clients with previous mental health conditions obtain personal insurance. In one case, a client had experienced an episode of depression during COVID and required medication at the time. His last symptoms and last use of medication were back in March 2021. 

He had never needed time away from work because of the condition, and no further treatment was required. 

Because of the time that had passed and his subsequent history, we were able to identify an insurer that was willing to consider TPD and Income Protection without applying a mental health exclusion, subject to the insurer's full underwriting assessment. 

This is a good reminder that, a history of depression doesn't automatically mean you will receive a permanent mental health exclusion. 

The insurer may consider the timing, severity, treatment, medication, recurrence and impact on employment when assessing the application. 

Example 3: Type 2 Diabetes - Five Insurers, Five Different Outcomes 

Another client was only looking for Life Insurance. 

His circumstances were: 

• Type 2 Diabetes diagnosed two years earlier 

• No other complications 

• Managed with medication 

• Latest HbA1c reading of 6.5 

We approached multiple insurers. The preliminary underwriting outcomes were: 

Insurer 1: 50% premium loading 

Insurer 2: No loading 

Insurer 3: 100% premium loading 

Insurer 4: 50% premium loading 

Insurer 5: 50% premium loading 

Same client. Same diagnosis. Same medical history. Same HbA1c result. 

Very different underwriting outcomes. This is one of the reasons why comparing insurers can be particularly important if you have a pre-existing medical condition. 

Example 4: Anxiety History but No Mental Health Exclusion 

Another recent case involved a client with a history of anxiety. The client had experienced a single episode in 2022, took medication and attended a therapy session. There were no further symptoms, medication or therapy after late 2022. 

The client also hadn't needed time away from work because of the condition. 

One insurer was prepared to offer TPD and Income Protection without applying a mental health exclusion, subject to its full underwriting assessment. 

This was a particularly positive outcome. 

It also highlights an important point, the same medical history can sometimes result in different underwriting outcomes depending on the insurer. 

What If You Have Been Declined for Insurance? 

If you've previously been declined for Life Insurance, TPD, Income Protection or Trauma Insurance, it can be easy to assume that no other insurer will cover you. But that's not necessarily the case.  A decline from one insurer doesn't automatically mean every insurer will decline you. 

Another insurer may: 

• Offer cover at standard rates 

• Offer cover with a premium loading 

• Offer cover with an exclusion 

• Offer some types of insurance but not others 

• Request additional medical information 

• Take a different view of the underlying risk 

There is never a guarantee that another insurer will offer a better outcome. 

However, if your circumstances are complex, it can be worth exploring the available options before giving up. 

What If You Have a Pre-Existing Medical Condition? 

Pre-existing medical conditions can make obtaining personal insurance more complicated. 

Depending on the condition, insurers may consider factors such as: 

• When you were diagnosed 

• Whether the condition is controlled 

• Current medication 

• Previous treatment 

• Recent test results 

• Whether you've experienced symptoms recently 

• Whether you've needed time off work 

• Whether there have been complications 

Two insurers may interpret these factors differently. 

For example, one insurer may apply a 50% premium loading for a condition while another may offer standard rates. 

Another may decline the cover altogether. 

This is why comparing insurers can be particularly important when you have a medical history. 

What If You Have a High-Risk or Unusual Occupation? 

Your occupation can also have a major impact on your insurance options. Some occupations can be more difficult to insure, particularly where they involve: 

• Underground mining 

• Offshore work 

• Working at heights 

• Heavy machinery 

• Commercial diving 

• Aviation 

• Remote locations 

• Overseas work 

• High-risk manual work 

• Certain security occupations 

However, the job title alone doesn't always determine the outcome. Insurers may want to understand your actual duties, working environment, travel requirements, location and level of physical risk. 

This is why providing a clear and accurate description of your occupation can be so important. 

Why We Speak to Insurers Before Applying 

At Mortgage Protect, our approach is to understand the client's circumstances before approaching insurers, particularly where there are medical or occupational complexities. 

We look at the bigger picture: 

Medical history → Occupation → Actual duties → Previous claims → Current circumstances → Insurance needs 

Where appropriate, we can speak with insurers to obtain an indication of how they may view the circumstances before proceeding with a formal application. This doesn't guarantee acceptance.  It also doesn't replace formal underwriting. 

But it can help identify potential issues early and determine which insurers may be worth considering. 

The Bottom Line: One Insurer's Decision Isn't Every Insurer's Decision 

Insurance underwriting isn't always black and white. There are no guarantees, and every application is assessed individually.  But these real-world examples demonstrate why it can be dangerous to assume that one insurer's decision represents the entire insurance market. 

If you've been told no before, or you're worried your occupation or health history will make cover difficult, it's worth getting a proper comparison done rather than assuming the door is closed. Click here to get in touch to discuss your situation and we'll take you through what's actually possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can one insurance company decline me while another accepts me? - Yes. Different insurers have different underwriting guidelines and risk appetites. One insurer may decline an application while another may offer cover with a loading, exclusion or different terms. There is no guarantee another insurer will offer cover, but a decline from one insurer does not automatically mean every insurer will decline you. 

Can I get life insurance if I have a pre-existing medical condition? - Potentially. Depending on the condition and your individual circumstances, an insurer may offer standard cover, apply a premium loading, apply an exclusion, request further medical information or decline the application. 

Does my occupation affect my insurance? - Yes. Your occupation and actual work duties can affect the availability and terms of Life, TPD and Income Protection Insurance. High-risk or unusual occupations, overseas work, mining and offshore work can require more detailed underwriting. 

Can I get TPD or Income Protection after a mental health condition? - Potentially. The outcome depends on the condition, when it occurred, treatment and medication history, current symptoms and other circumstances. Some insurers may apply a mental health exclusion, while another insurer may assess the same history differently. 

Does Mortgage Protect guarantee insurance approval?  - No. Mortgage Protect cannot guarantee that an insurer will accept an application or provide particular terms. The final decision is made by the insurer after assessing the application and relevant supporting information.  

The information in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your own circumstances and, where relevant, obtain a copy of the applicable Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making a decision. This article does not constitute personal financial advice.