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Life Insurance For Drug Users

  • Life insurance for recovering drug users
  • Clean period typically 1-5 years required
  • Specialist impaired risk underwriting
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Life Insurance For Drug Users

Complete guide to life insurance for recovering and ex-drug users. Active drug use typically results in declined applications, but recovery opens doors - most insurers require clean periods of 1-5 years depending on drug type with cannabis requiring 1-2 years clean for standard rates, harder drugs (cocaine, heroin) requiring 3-5+ years minimum, and prescription drug misuse requiring 2-4 years clean. Premium loadings during early recovery range from 50-200% higher initially, decreasing over time with continued abstinence. Longer clean periods (5-10 years) can achieve near-standard or standard rates. Full disclosure essential - non-disclosure invalidates policies. Our specialist impaired risk team can find competitive quotes even if you've been declined elsewhere.

By: Lorna Bailey Protection Expert Updated: 2nd January 2026

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Can drug users secure life insurance?

Yes, if you declare drug use to your insurer, it's likely this will impact your ability to secure cover.

While it may seem tempting to withhold this information, this can have a negative effect in the long run as your cover could be deemed invalid if drug use is found out.

Honesty is essential in securing the right cover and insurers won't judge you for any current or previous drug use.

There are two types of drug use that will need to be declared to insurers at the point of application:

Life insurance calculator

Calculate how much life insurance you may need by filling in the costs you'd like your policy to cover.

The amount of life insurance you need depends on your financial obligations and what you want to provide for your loved ones. A common rule of thumb is to have cover worth 10 times your annual salary, though your individual circumstances may require more or less.

Consider the following when calculating your life insurance needs:

  • Outstanding mortgage balance
  • Other debts and loans
  • Income replacement for your family (typically 5-10 years of salary)
  • Children's education costs
  • Funeral expenses (typically £4,000-£10,000)
  • Any specific financial goals for your dependents

For example, if you have a £200,000 mortgage, earn £40,000 per year, and want to provide 10 years of income replacement, you might need around £600,000 of cover (£200,000 + (£40,000 × 10)).

Use our free comparison tool to get personalised quotes from 50+ UK insurers, including Life Insurance For Drug Users, and find the right level of cover for your needs at the best available price.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get life insurance if I've used drugs in the past?

Yes, if you're in recovery. Most insurers require: Recreational cannabis: 1-2 years clean for standard rates, Harder drugs (cocaine, heroin, etc.): 3-5+ years clean minimum, Prescription drug misuse: 2-4 years clean, Longer clean periods (5-10 years): Near-standard or standard rates possible. During the clean period, you'll face: Higher premiums (50-200% loading), Possible policy exclusions, Or guaranteed acceptance over-50s plans as alternative.

What if I'm currently using drugs?

Active drug use makes life insurance extremely difficult: Current recreational drug use: Most standard insurers decline, Prescription cannabis for medical conditions: May get cover with specialist insurers, Current illegal drug use: Almost all insurers decline. Alternative options while in active use: Guaranteed acceptance over-50s plans (ages 50-85, no health questions but limited cover £2,000-£20,000), Wait until clean for 1-5 years to access standard market with better rates and higher cover amounts.

Do I have to disclose past drug use?

YES, you must disclose ALL past and current drug use. Non-disclosure can result in: Complete claim rejection (family gets nothing), Policy cancellation mid-term, Potential fraud investigation, Criminal prosecution in extreme cases. Insurers WILL investigate claims and may access: Medical records (GP notes show drug history), Prescription records, Hospital admissions, Police records (if relevant), Toxicology reports after death. Always be honest - specialist impaired risk insurers exist to help people with drug history.

What information will insurers need about my drug use?

Insurers will ask detailed questions: Type of drug(s) used (cannabis, cocaine, heroin, prescription misuse, etc.), Frequency and duration of use (recreational vs dependent), Date of last use (critical for underwriting), Method of use (smoking, injecting - higher risk, snorting), Treatment history (rehab, counseling, support groups), Any drug-related health issues (liver damage, mental health, infections), Current medications. Be prepared to provide medical records or GP reports for underwriting.

How does the type of drug affect my application?

Different drugs carry different risk profiles: Lower risk (easier to get cover after clean period): Recreational cannabis use, Prescription medication misuse (if not ongoing). Moderate risk (3-5 year clean period): Cocaine, Ecstasy, Amphetamines. Higher risk (5+ year clean period required): Heroin, Crack cocaine, Methamphetamine, Intravenous drug use (any drug). Insurers also consider: Frequency (occasional vs daily), Polysubstance use (multiple drugs = higher risk), Associated health conditions.

Can prescription cannabis use affect my life insurance?

Prescription cannabis for medical conditions: Many insurers now accept medical cannabis users, Must be legally prescribed (not self-medicating), Premiums based on underlying condition, not cannabis use, Some insurers may add 10-25% loading for cannabis itself. Recreational cannabis (including legal use abroad): Must declare even if legal where used, Most insurers require 1-2 years abstinence, Or accept with 25-50% premium loading, Frequent use (daily) treated more seriously. NEVER claim prescription use if it's actually recreational - medical records will show the truth.

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Specialist impaired risk underwriting for recovering drug users. Our team knows which insurers assess based on clean period duration and drug type. Honesty gets you the right cover.

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