Insurance

Can You Get Insurance with High Blood Pressure, Sugar, or Lipids?

Author Bowtie Team

Updated on 2025-06-13

Disclaimer: This article is translated with the assistance of AI.

High blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids are common in Hong Kong. Wondering if you can still buy insurance or if these might lead to denial? Bowtie experts break it down and share key underwriting insights from top insurers.

What Are the Three Highs?

The so-called three highs, namely High blood pressure , High blood lipids and High blood sugar (commonly known as high cholesterol). Blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipids each have their own measurement indicators. If these levels exceed normal values , patients should pay more attention.

The three highs are quite common in Hong Kong, with risk factors including obesity, smoking, drinking, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, aging, and genetics.

If patients with the three highs fail to properly manage their blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood lipid levels, they could face long-term complications such as:

Stroke
Coronary artery hardening
Aneurysm
Myocardial infarction
Heart failure
Kidney disease
Kidney failure
Retinopathy
Circulatory and nervous system disorders in the feet

Can People with the Three Highs Buy Insurance?

When handling insurance applications from people with the three highs, insurance companies will consider the patient’s condition, causes, and any complications. Generally, there are the following outcomes:

Successful application with standard premiums
Successful application, but with additional premiums ( Loading )
Successful application, but with added exclusions
Successful application, but with additional premiums and added exclusions
Application declined

Depending on the specific circumstances of the three highs, insurance companies will have different approaches and considerations.

Can You Buy Insurance with High Blood Pressure?

Insurance Company’s Underwriting Decision:

High Blood Pressure Conditions

Bowtie Underwriting Decision

(Applicable to VHIS, life insurance, and critical illness products)

Mild high blood pressure (must be confirmed by a doctor that blood pressure levels are well-controlled)

Successfully insured with basic premiums
Successfully insured, but with increased premiums or exclusions

Poorly controlled condition
High blood pressure caused by kidney disease or adrenal issues
Complications like kidney failure have occurred, or co-existing conditions such as heart disease are present

Depends on the latest blood pressure records and doctor’s recommendations for further management, such as increasing medication dosage, changing medications, increasing follow-up visits, or conducting further tests
Successfully insured, but with increased premiums or exclusions
Directly declined.

Key Considerations for Insurance Companies:

Causes of High Blood Pressure: Primary high blood pressure (caused by obesity or poor lifestyle habits) is easier to control than secondary high blood pressure (caused by other diseases)
Complications: If complications like heart disease, stroke, or kidney failure have occurred, the risk is higher, and coverage is generally declined
Age: Younger patients with high blood pressure are typically charged extra premiums compared to older ones
Control Status: If blood pressure readings remain persistently high, extra premiums may be added, or coverage could be directly declined
Treatment: Assess whether the patient has received treatment and is taking medications
Other Risk Factors: Consider risk factors related to high blood pressure, such as smoking and cardiovascular diseases

Can You Buy Insurance with High Blood Sugar?

Insurance Company’s Underwriting Decision:

High Blood Sugar/Diabetes Conditions

Bowtie Insurance Company’s Underwriting Decision

(Applicable to VHIS, life insurance, and critical illness products)

Prediabetes
Mild to moderate diabetes

Successfully insured, but with increased premiums
Successfully insured, but with exclusions
Successfully insured, but with increased premiums and exclusions

Severe diabetes
Complications like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot, or kidney failure have occurred

Directly declined

Key Considerations for Insurance Companies:

Types of High Blood Sugar: Type 2 diabetes carries lower risks than Type 1; prediabetes has lower risks than diabetes itself
Duration of Condition: If high blood sugar or diabetes has persisted for a long time (over 10 years), the risk is higher
Age: Younger patients face higher risks than older ones
Complications: If complications like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic foot, or kidney failure have occurred, the risk is higher, and coverage is generally declined
Control Status: Review the patient’s glycated hemoglobin and fasting blood sugar test results from the past 12 months to assess blood sugar control
Treatment: Evaluate whether the patient has received insulin injections or is taking blood sugar-lowering medications
Other Risk Factors: Consider risk factors related to high blood sugar, such as cardiovascular diseases, hepatitis B, and smoking

Can You Buy Insurance with High Lipids?

Insurance Company’s Underwriting Decision:

High Lipids Conditions

Bowtie Insurance Company’s Underwriting Decision

(Applicable to VHIS, life insurance, and critical illness products)

Only slightly elevated cholesterol and triglycerides (must be confirmed by a doctor that cholesterol and lipid levels are well-controlled)

Successfully insured with basic premiums

Poorly controlled condition

Depends on the latest blood test results and doctor’s recommendations for further management, such as increasing medication dosage, changing medications, increasing follow-up visits, or conducting further tests
Successfully insured, but with increased premiums or exclusions
Directly declined

Key Considerations for Insurance Companies:

Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Elevated levels increase the risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular diseases
Total Cholesterol to High-Density Lipoprotein Ratio: A higher ratio indicates a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases
Age: Older age increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Other Risk Factors: Consider risk factors related to high lipids, such as high blood pressure, smoking, and family history of cardiovascular diseases

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Author

Bowtie Team

The Bowtie Life Insurance Company Limited is an authorized life insurance company and Hong Kong’s very first virtual insurer approved. Through the use of modern technology and medical expertise, Bowtie offers an agent-free, commission-free and more convenient online platform for customers to quote, apply and claim for Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS) anytime anywhere. Bowtie is ranked first in the direct channel sales throughout 2021. Stay up to date at www.bowtie.com.hk