Life Insurance With Raynaud's Phenomenon
Raynaud's looks dramatic and is usually harmless, which makes the distinction on this page easy to miss.
Primary Raynaud's is common, often starts young, and is a cold weather nuisance.
Secondary Raynaud's is a sign of something else, and the something else is the entry that matters.
The short answer
Raynaud's is colour change and numbness in the fingers or toes on exposure to cold, caused by the small blood vessels narrowing. The question that matters is whether it is primary, occurring on its own, or secondary to something else. Secondary Raynaud's can point at an autoimmune condition such as scleroderma or lupus, and in hand-intensive trades it can point at vibration damage.
What it is
Raynaud's phenomenon is episodic narrowing of the small blood vessels in the fingers and toes, triggered by cold or stress, causing them to turn white then blue then red as circulation returns, with numbness, pain and tingling.
Primary Raynaud's occurs on its own, commonly begins in the teens or twenties, is often symmetrical, and is not associated with underlying disease. Secondary Raynaud's develops because of something else: connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma, lupus or Sjogren's, certain medications, and occupational vibration exposure.
Investigation of suspected secondary Raynaud's usually involves blood tests for autoimmune antibodies and examination of the small vessels at the nail fold. Management is cold avoidance and, where needed, medication such as nifedipine to relax the blood vessels.
Why it comes up on an application
- Which type you have is the central question, and if you have been told, saying so is the most useful thing on the form.
- Autoimmune blood tests are routinely done where secondary Raynaud's is suspected, and those are investigations whatever they showed.
- A negative autoimmune screen is genuinely reassuring and worth being able to state.
- Any connective tissue disease diagnosis is a far more substantial entry than the Raynaud's, and it is the thing to declare.
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a recognised occupational condition in trades using vibrating tools, and vibration white finger is part of it.
- Any industrial injuries claim or occupational health assessment related to it is real documented history.
- Prescribed medication such as nifedipine is a continuing prescription and belongs in a medication answer.
- Skin ulceration at the fingertips is a sign of severe disease and a significant entry.
- Smoking makes it worse, and the smoking question on any application is asked separately and carries weight of its own.
What we would ask you
- When it started and which parts of you it affects
- Whether you have been told it is primary or secondary
- Whether you have had autoimmune blood tests, and what they showed
- Whether you have been diagnosed with any connective tissue disease
- Whether you use or have used vibrating tools at work
- Whether you have ever had ulcers or sores on your fingertips
- What you take for it, if anything
- Whether you are currently off work or working reduced hours because of an accident, injury or illness
- Whether you are waiting on any medical tests, appointments or treatment
- Whether you have been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in the last five years
- Whether a parent, brother or sister was diagnosed with cancer, heart disease or a stroke before 65
- Any medication you take
- Whether you smoke, and your date of birth
Primary Or Secondary Is The Whole Question
If you have been given one of those two words, it is the most informative thing you can write on a form.
Primary Raynaud's occurs by itself, usually starts young, affects both hands fairly evenly, and is not a sign of anything underlying. Secondary Raynaud's develops because of something else, and the somethings include scleroderma, lupus and Sjogren's syndrome, which are connective tissue diseases with far wider implications.
That is why an autoimmune blood screen is standard where secondary disease is suspected. If yours was negative, say so, because it is reassuring and it shows the question was asked and answered. If a connective tissue disease was diagnosed, that is the entry on your application and the Raynaud's is a symptom of it.
In The Trades, Check For Vibration
This is the version of Raynaud's that walks into a conversation about insurance already attached to a job.
Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a recognised occupational condition caused by prolonged use of vibrating tools: breakers, grinders, chainsaws, impact wrenches, needle guns. Vibration white finger is part of it, and so is permanent loss of grip and sensation. It is a prescribed industrial disease in the UK, which means there is often occupational health documentation or a claim behind it.
If that is your situation, declare the occupational diagnosis, not just cold fingers, and say whether there has been any occupational health assessment or claim. It also makes a specific case for income protection with an own occupation definition, because vibration damage does not improve and a groundworker who cannot hold a tool is still perfectly employable doing something else, which is exactly what an any occupation policy would conclude.
Which cover is relevant
The usual starting point. Primary Raynaud's is a small entry; any connective tissue disease behind it sits in the picture far more prominently.
Genuinely relevant for outdoor and hand-intensive trades. Losing feeling and dexterity in your fingers in cold weather affects the work directly, and vibration damage is permanent.
Pays on diagnosis of a listed serious condition. Raynaud's is not one, though some connective tissue diseases feature in some policies, so the definitions are worth reading.
Common questions
What is the difference between primary and secondary Raynaud's?+
Primary occurs on its own, usually starts young and is not a sign of anything underlying. Secondary develops because of something else, including connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma, lupus or Sjogren's, medications, or occupational vibration. Which you have is the central question.
Why would I have autoimmune blood tests?+
Because they are standard where secondary Raynaud's is suspected, looking for an underlying connective tissue disease. If yours were negative, say so, because that is reassuring and shows the question was asked and answered.
I use vibrating tools at work. Does that matter?+
Yes, and it may change what your diagnosis actually is. Hand-arm vibration syndrome is a recognised occupational condition and a prescribed industrial disease in the UK, often with occupational health documentation behind it. Declare the occupational diagnosis rather than just cold fingers.
Do I need to declare Raynaud's?+
Answer what you are asked. The useful detail is whether it is primary or secondary, what any blood tests showed, whether you use vibrating tools, whether you have ever had fingertip ulcers, and what you take for it.
I have had sores on my fingertips. Is that significant?+
Yes, fingertip ulceration indicates more severe disease and is a significant entry. Say roughly when, how it was treated, and whether you were referred to a specialist.
Cover that often goes with this
The gaps we most often find sitting next to this one.