Practical guidance
Insurance & Fabry disease
A Fabry diagnosis can make some types of insurance genuinely difficult to get in the UK. It's better to know that going in than to be caught out — and there are still routes worth exploring, particularly for travel insurance.
This page is general information, not financial advice. Insurance decisions depend on your personal circumstances — consider speaking to an independent financial adviser or specialist broker before buying a policy.
Life, critical illness & income protection insurance
These products are medically underwritten — insurers assess your individual health risk and price, restrict, or decline cover accordingly. Because Fabry disease is a progressive, multi-system genetic condition, it's realistic to expect a difficult application, not just a higher premium.
Standard high-street insurers often decline
Many mainstream insurers will decline applications outright once Fabry disease is disclosed, particularly for critical illness and life insurance. This isn't unusual or a sign you've done something wrong — it reflects how these insurers price genetic, progressive conditions generally.
Specialist & impaired-risk brokers
Brokers who specialise in "impaired risk" or non-standard health circumstances have relationships with a wider range of insurers, including some who may consider Fabry disease case by case — particularly if you're on treatment and well monitored. They can't guarantee an offer, but they're a better starting point than applying directly to a high-street insurer.
Group life insurance through work
If your employer offers group life insurance (sometimes called "death in service" benefit) as a workplace benefit, it often comes with cover up to a certain level without individual medical underwriting. This can be a more realistic route to some life cover than an individual policy — worth checking with your employer or joining a scheme if one's on offer.
Guaranteed acceptance plans
Some "guaranteed acceptance" life insurance plans (often marketed at older adults) don't ask any medical questions. They typically offer smaller payouts, cost more relative to the cover provided, and may not pay out in full if you die within the first year or two — but they're an option if standard or specialist cover isn't available to you.
Always disclose accurately. Whatever you apply for, declare your diagnosis and medical history fully and honestly. An inaccurate application can mean a claim is refused years later, even after premiums have been paid throughout — which is far worse than a higher premium or a decline at the outset.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is a much more achievable picture. Fabry disease counts as a pre-existing medical condition that must be declared, but specialist providers do offer cover — including for people on regular enzyme replacement therapy or oral chaperone treatment.
MoneyHelper's directory
The best starting point is MoneyHelper's travel insurance directory — a free, government-backed tool listing FCA-regulated providers who specialise in pre-existing medical conditions. UK insurers are legally required to point you to this (or the equivalent BIBA directory) if they can't cover you.
Providers that tend to cover Fabry disease
Staysure is one specialist provider that has tended to offer cover for Fabry disease. Provider appetite and terms change, so always get a fresh quote and confirm current cover for your specific circumstances rather than relying on past experience — yours or anyone else's.
Declare fully, every time
Declare your diagnosis, current treatment and any recent hospital care at every renewal, not just when you first buy a policy. Not declaring it, or declaring it incompletely, can invalidate your cover entirely.
Where to get help
MPS Society
The MPS Society's welfare and benefits team can offer general guidance on navigating insurance and other financial questions related to a Fabry diagnosis — see Support Services.
MoneyHelper
A free, government-backed guidance service covering insurance, benefits and financial planning, including the travel insurance directory above.
An independent broker
For life, critical illness or income protection insurance, a broker experienced with impaired-risk or rare genetic conditions can approach multiple insurers on your behalf and give you a realistic sense of what's available.