The Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026
The Act officially takes effect from 15 October 2026. You can read the full Act text here.
We're always here to help, so please get in touch if you have any questions and your Financial Broker can help advise you on your own personal circumstances and explain how this Act may affect you.
The Act explained
Under the Act, a disclosed cancer diagnosis will be disregarded where:
- the application is for Mortgage Protection in connection with a mortgage on a principal private residence,
- the insurance cover sought is for €650,000 or less, and
- treatment for cancer ended at least five years before the application.
It’s important to note that, even where the Act applies to your application, you must still answer all application questions fully, including those relating to cancer. However, where the Act applies, a previous cancer diagnosis will not be taken into account when assessing your application.
The Act applies to the first €650,000 of Mortgage Protection per applicant and not to any other product or type of cover.
What is specifically meant by ‘treatment for cancer’?
When we say treatment for cancer has ended,
we mean:
- that the applicant is in complete remission, and
- any active treatment has ended.
A cancer survivor’s treating oncologist determines whether they are in complete remission. This includes the absence of signs and symptoms related to a cancer diagnosis which may be determined by, but not limited to, physical examination, radiological investigation, and serum biomarkers.
Active treatment means the use of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, biological agents, immunotherapy, bone marrow transplant or any evidence-based medical approaches to cure a cancer.
Active treatment does not include anti-hormonal medications, or any form of preventative therapy or medicine designed to reduce recurrence risk following complete remission.
What is the purpose of this new Act?
The purpose of the legislation is to improve access to Mortgage Protection for cancer survivors. It aims to provide a faster, more streamlined process for impacted cancer survivors and ensure availability and affordability of Mortgage Protection for as many consumers as possible.
Under what circumstances will a cancer diagnosis be disregarded and not used to underwrite a policy?
There are three conditions that must be met, before a person’s history of cancer is disregarded when assessing an application for Mortgage Protection.
- The application is for Mortgage Protection in connection with a mortgage on a principal private residence
- The amount of cover being applied for is €650,000 or less
- Treatment for cancer ended at least five years before the application.
Which types of life assurance are included under the Code?
Only Mortgage Protection policies are included.
How much Mortgage Protection can be covered by the Act?
€650,000 is the maximum amount of cover that qualifies under the legislation.
However, with Royal London Ireland, you can apply for a single policy for any sum assured and we will apply the terms of the Act to the first €650,000 of cover. Normal underwriting criteria will then apply to any amount above €650,000.
Does my application for Mortgage Protection meet the criteria of the Act if my treatment ended 4 years and 6 months ago?
The Act applies only where treatment for cancer ended at least five years before the date of application.
I would like to apply for a decreasing term assurance policy, for €300,000, as personal life cover. Would the Act apply to the application?
No. The life cover must be for Mortgage Protection for your principal private residence, as specified in the Act. As this policy would be used for personal cover, rather than connected to a mortgage loan, the Act would not apply to the application.
I already have a policy for my principal private residence and I’m taking out a mortgage on an investment property. Would an application for cover of €650,000 on my investment property meet the criteria of the Act?
No. As the mortgage is not for your principal private residence, the Act does not apply to the application.
If you have any other questions about the Act or about applying for a policy in general, please get in touch with us, or for tailored advice, please contact your Financial Broker.
Your Financial Broker can advise you on your own personal circumstances and explain how the legislation may affect you. If you do not already have a Financial Broker, you can find out more about the benefits of a broker and how to find one here.
Brokers Ireland has a published list of specialised brokers on its website too who can help consumers who have had difficulty acquiring Life Cover due to a pre-existing illness.