Specialist life insurance for recovering and ex-alcoholics with competitive rates
Yes, you can get life insurance as a recovering alcoholic. Most insurers require 1-5 years of sobriety, with premiums decreasing significantly the longer you've been sober. Our specialist impaired risk team can find competitive quotes based on your sobriety duration and current health, even if you've been declined elsewhere.
By: Lorna Bailey Protection Expert Updated: 4th January 2026
Compare Life Insurance Quotes »Yes, it's absolutely possible to secure life insurance as a recovering or ex-alcoholic. Most UK insurers will consider applications from people in recovery, with premiums and eligibility depending primarily on your sobriety duration and current liver health.
According to Drinkaware, 8% of men and 4% of women in the UK drink at high-risk or dependent levels, with 122,030 people undergoing alcohol treatment in 2022/23. UK insurers understand alcohol dependence is a common health challenge and have developed underwriting approaches for those in recovery.
Key factors insurers consider when assessing recovering alcoholics:
Generally, if you're no longer classed as alcohol dependent and have maintained sobriety, securing life insurance is significantly easier than if you were still actively misusing alcohol. Active alcoholism typically results in declined applications, while recovery demonstrates reduced risk to insurers.
At LifePro, our specialist impaired risk team has 15+ years experience finding cover for recovering alcoholics. We work with mainstream insurers and specialist underwriters who understand recovery, helping secure competitive quotes even if you've been declined elsewhere.
Recovering alcoholics have access to the same range of life insurance policies as anyone else, though premium rates and availability depend on your sobriety duration and health status. The four main policy types are Level Term, Decreasing Term, Whole of Life, and Over 50s Life Insurance.
Which policy is best depends on your personal circumstances, budget, and what financial protection you want to provide for your loved ones. Here are the main options:
Fixed payout amount throughout the policy term (e.g., 10, 20, or 25 years). Ideal for covering mortgage, income replacement, and family expenses. Premiums stay the same for the entire term. Most popular choice for recovering alcoholics as it provides comprehensive protection at predictable cost.
Payout amount reduces over time, typically aligned with a repayment mortgage. Cheaper than Level Term as the payout decreases. Best suited if your main need is covering a mortgage that's being paid down over time. Less suitable if you want to provide income replacement.
Covers you for your entire life (no fixed term) with guaranteed payout whenever you die. Much more expensive than term insurance but builds cash value. Suitable if you want guaranteed payout for inheritance tax planning or guaranteed funeral expenses, regardless of when you pass away.
Guaranteed acceptance with no medical questions or underwriting (available from age 50-85). Lower coverage amounts (typically £5,000-£25,000). More expensive per £1 of cover. Good option if you've been declined for standard policies due to alcohol history, though often better to try standard underwriting first if you've been sober 5+ years.
For most recovering alcoholics, Level Term Life Insurance offers the best value and most comprehensive protection. If you've maintained sobriety for 2+ years with good liver function, you may qualify for near-standard rates on Level Term policies.
Our advisors can help you compare all available options and find the policy type that best matches your needs and budget, working with insurers who specialise in impaired risk underwriting.
Compare Policy Options »Your sobriety duration is the single most important factor affecting life insurance premiums for recovering alcoholics. The longer you've been sober, the lower your premiums - with rates decreasing dramatically between 1 year and 10+ years of sobriety.
Here's how different sobriety periods typically affect premiums compared to standard rates:
Example monthly premiums for £200,000 Level Term (25-year term, age 40, non-smoker):
Important factors beyond sobriety duration:
If you're early in recovery (less than 2 years sober), it may be worth waiting to apply to get significantly better rates. However, if you have financial dependents who need protection now, securing cover immediately - even at higher premiums - provides essential protection while you continue your recovery journey.
If you've developed health complications from past alcohol use, you can still get life insurance, though premiums will be higher and specialist insurers may be required. Liver damage, pancreatitis, and cardiovascular issues are the most common concerns that affect underwriting decisions.
How specific alcohol-related conditions affect life insurance:
Cirrhosis: Very difficult to insure, may require specialist impaired risk insurers. Premiums 100-300% higher or declined. Compensated cirrhosis (no complications) better than decompensated. Fatty liver (mild): 25-50% premium increase if well-managed and improving on scans. Abstinence with improving liver function tests shows positive trajectory to insurers.
Acute pancreatitis (single episode, resolved): 50-100% premium increase. Chronic pancreatitis: 75-150% increase or possible decline depending on severity. Well-managed with no recent flare-ups improves rates. Pancreatic function tests and diabetes status important factors.
Alcohol-related cardiomyopathy: 100-200% premium increase, may require specialist insurers. High blood pressure from alcohol: 25-75% increase if now controlled. Improved heart function since sobriety significantly helps underwriting. Recent echocardiogram showing recovery improves assessment.
Alcohol-related depression/anxiety: 25-75% premium increase if stable and treated. History of alcohol-induced psychosis: 100%+ increase. Well-managed mental health with medication and therapy compliance improves rates. Separation from alcohol use (i.e., mental health stable in sobriety) viewed positively.
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Very difficult to insure, specialist insurers required. Peripheral neuropathy: 50-100% increase depending on severity. Alcohol-related seizures: 75-150% increase if now controlled. Time since last episode and medication compliance important.
Key points for applicants with alcohol-related health issues:
LifePro works with specialist impaired risk underwriters who regularly insure people with alcohol-related health complications. Even if you've been declined by mainstream insurers, our team can find providers experienced with complex medical histories who may offer cover.
When applying for life insurance as a recovering alcoholic, you'll face more detailed medical questions and likely require additional medical evidence beyond a standard application. Full honesty is essential - non-disclosure invalidates your policy and claims will be rejected.
What insurers will ask about your alcohol history:
Medical evidence typically required:
Standard requirement for all recovering alcoholics. Confirms alcohol history, treatment received, sobriety duration, current health status, ongoing support, and any complications. GP report costs £50-150 (often insurer pays). Turnaround typically 2-4 weeks.
Almost always required, especially if less than 5 years sober. Tests ALT, AST, GGT, bilirubin levels. Normal results dramatically improve premiums. Insurers may arrange free testing or you can provide recent results (within 6 months). Many insurers arrange free nurse visit to your home for blood tests.
Discharge summaries from rehab or hospital admissions may be requested. Shows completion of programs and engagement with treatment. Positive prognosis from treatment providers helps underwriting. Not always required but strengthens application.
For serious complications (cirrhosis, cardiomyopathy), specialist consultant reports may be needed. Gastroenterology reports for liver issues, cardiology for heart problems. Recent imaging (liver scans, echocardiograms) may be requested. Usually only required for complex medical histories.
Application timeline expectations:
Important application tips:
Working with LifePro's specialist team means we present your application to insurers in the best possible light, highlighting positive factors and explaining your recovery journey. We know which insurers are most competitive for specific sobriety durations and health profiles, maximising your chances of approval at the best available rates.
Start Your Application »Yes, you can get life insurance as a recovering alcoholic. Most insurers require 1-5 years of sobriety before offering standard or moderately increased premiums. Less than 1 year sober typically results in declined applications or very high premiums. 5+ years sober with good liver function can get near-standard rates. Active alcoholism usually results in application decline.
Sobriety requirements vary by insurer: 1 year sober minimum for most insurers (expect 50-100% premium increase), 2-3 years sober gets 25-75% increase, 5+ years sober can get near-standard rates (10-25% increase), 10+ years sober with no relapse may get standard rates. Some specialist insurers accept 6 months sobriety but at very high premiums.
Yes, significantly. Factors affecting premiums: Length of sobriety (longer = cheaper), Liver function test results (normal = better rates), History of alcohol-related health issues (cirrhosis, pancreatitis add major loadings), Treatment history (completion of rehab helps), Ongoing support (AA attendance shows commitment). Premiums decrease over time with continued sobriety.
YES, you must disclose all past alcohol problems. Non-disclosure can invalidate your policy and claims will be rejected. Insurers ask specific questions about: Alcohol dependence diagnosis, Treatment or rehab programs, Alcohol-related hospitalizations, Drinking levels and patterns. Be honest - insurers have access to medical records and will discover undisclosed information during claims.
Alcohol-related health issues significantly impact premiums: Liver damage (cirrhosis, fatty liver) - 100-300% premium increase or decline, Pancreatitis - 75-150% increase, Alcohol-related mental health issues - 50-100% increase, Cardiovascular problems - 100-200% increase. Well-managed conditions with good current health get better rates. Specialist impaired risk insurers essential for serious complications.
If drinking within NHS guidelines (14 units/week or less) and no history of problems: Yes, standard rates. If drinking heavily but not dependent: Possible with 25-75% premium increase, may require GP reports. If currently alcohol dependent or in active addiction: Very difficult - most insurers will decline. Best to wait until achieving sobriety before applying.
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Specialist impaired risk underwriting for those in recovery. Our team understands alcohol dependence and can find insurers offering competitive rates based on your sobriety journey.
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