Part of our “Quick Insurance Q&A (NZ)” series answering common insurance questions for Kiwis.
Can you still get insurance with a pre-existing condition?
Yes – often you can.
But it depends on:
- The condition
- How recent it is
- How well it’s managed
What usually happens?
When you apply, insurers may:
1. Accept you with no changes
If the condition is minor or well-controlled
2. Add an exclusion
The condition won’t be covered
3. Adjust pricing
Higher premiums in some cases
4. Decline cover
Usually for more serious or recent conditions
Examples
- Mild asthma → often covered or excluded
- Past injury → sometimes excluded
- Cancer history → more complex, case-by-case
Does every insurer treat it the same?
No – that’s a key point.
Different insurers assess risk differently.
This is where using a broker can help:
- They know which insurers are more flexible
- They can structure applications carefully
To see a comprehensive example of how an insurance company treats exclusions, have a look at AIA’s ‘Pre-existing Condition and Hazardous Activity Exclusions‘ document.
Can you improve your chances?
Yes:
- Apply sooner rather than later
- Show stability (e.g. condition under control)
- Provide full, accurate medical info
What about non-disclosure?
Not worth the risk.
If you don’t disclose a condition:
A claim will likely be declined later.
Should you still apply?
In most cases, yes.
Even with exclusions, having cover for everything else can still be valuable.
Bottom line
Having a pre-existing condition doesn’t automatically mean:
You can’t get insurance.
But it does mean:
The structure of your cover matters more.
If you’re not sure what this looks like for your situation, it’s usually worth having a quick chat. At Canvas Insurance, we help Kiwis make sense of their options and set things up in a way that actually fits. Get in touch with Kris directly if you want to talk it through with a broker.
