Can I get income protection with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?

Often yes, but a bowel-related exclusion is common. That means the policy would pay if you could not work because of an unrelated illness or injury, but not for time off caused by your inflammatory bowel disease.

Is a policy with an exclusion still worth having?

Sometimes. It still protects your income against everything else, from a back injury to a heart condition. But if your main worry is time off caused by flares, we will say so rather than sell you something that does not do the job you want.

Does a longer waiting period help?

It can. Choosing to wait longer before payments start lowers the premium and can make some insurers more comfortable. It works best if you have sick pay or savings to cover the first few months.

What if I have been off work recently?

Recent time off matters to insurers, and applying too soon can lead to a worse outcome. If waiting would materially improve your terms, we will tell you that, and you can come back to us when the time is right.

Income protection with Crohn's and colitis

Income protection replaces part of your income if illness or injury stops you working. With inflammatory bowel disease the detail matters, particularly around exclusions, so it is worth understanding exactly what you are buying before you apply.

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The honest position on exclusions

Most insurers will consider income protection for people with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, but many will apply an exclusion for claims caused by the condition itself. That is the single most important thing to understand before you spend money on a policy.

Our job is to find out where you stand before anything formal is submitted, tell you which insurers would consider you without an exclusion, and let you weigh it up with the numbers in front of you.

Written and reviewed by Andy Stevens, Co-Founder and Impaired Risk Life Insurance Specialist

CMap · Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning (CII) · Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute · Over 30 years in impaired risk life insurance

Last reviewed 29 August 2026. Advice is given by More Than Money Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register number 1047044. More about us.

This page is general information about insurance, not medical advice and not a personal recommendation.

What insurers look at

How long it has been since your last flare, and how much time off work it caused
Your current treatment and whether it is holding the condition steady
Your occupation and how physically demanding it is
Any surgery, and how long you needed to recover
The waiting period you choose before payments begin
Whether you already have sick pay through work

Settled treatment, a stable work record and a sensible waiting period all help your case.

How it works

Complete the private online health check, then talk it through with a specialist adviser. We approach the insurers most likely to help, set out any exclusions in plain English, and handle the paperwork from there.

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Frequently asked questions

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Looking at a lump sum on diagnosis instead? Read our critical illness cover page.