Life insurance can pay out when a death is drug-related, but whether it does depends on the wording of the policy, on what was said when the cover was taken out, and, early in a policy, on whether the insurer concludes the death was intentional. Among the policy documents quoted below, only the two over-50s plans mention drugs in what they pay when someone dies, and only for a death in the first year.

If someone close to you has died, we are sorry. Cruse Bereavement Support has a helpline on 0808 808 1677, answered by volunteers trained in all types of bereavement. Adfam supports families affected by a loved one's drug and alcohol use, and its website includes a short support video on substance-related bereavement. Samaritans can be called at any hour, free from any phone, on 116 123.

There is no need to take all of this in at once; the guide to how life insurance works covers the basics.

If, later on, you are choosing cover for yourself or a relative, nothing is charged for the form on this page; whoever rings back is an FCA-authorised broker who can explain what insurers do with answers about past drug use, whenever you are ready.

What do policy documents say about drug-related deaths?

Legal & General's Life Insurance Policy Terms and Conditions (QGI14872 2026/10) describe life cover as a lump sum paid if the life insured dies during the term. Its list of what the policy does not cover says a death in the first year ends the policy if it results from suicide, intentional and serious self-injury, or an event where the insurer's reasonable opinion is that the life insured took their own life. The same document adds: "Any exclusions will be shown in the Policy Schedule you will receive after you take out cover."

Both over-50s plans quoted here limit what is paid in the first year. Aviva's Over 50s Life Insurance policy conditions (DA03016 07/2023) say that for a death on or after the first anniversary, if the life covered "dies as a result of any means", Aviva pays the cover amount. Before the first anniversary, Aviva pays an amount equal to the premiums paid if the death is caused directly or indirectly by any of a list of causes, one of which is "Alcohol or drug misuse".

SunLife's Guaranteed Over 50 Plan terms (S-G050T12.25.V3) follow a similar pattern: a fixed cash sum is paid after the first year, and for a death in the first year the terms say "we would refund all premiums paid unless Accidental Death Benefit is payable". That benefit is excluded when the death stems directly or indirectly from any of several causes, including "your alcohol/drug abuse".

In both documents the drug wording matters in the first year only. Other insurers' plans may be worded differently, so the terms sent with a quote are the ones to read; the guides to Aviva's over-50s plan and SunLife's over-50s plan go through each in full.

How does an insurer decide whether a death was intentional?

A drug-related death is not the same as a death by suicide, and a suicide clause applies only to a death the insurer concludes falls within its wording. Aviva's Life Insurance+ conditions (AL50002 02/2026) say: “We won’t pay this if the life covered dies because of suicide or intentional self-inflicted injury within 12 months of the policy start date. If this happens, the policy will end.” Aviva's guide to the subject says the period is "12 to 24 months" for most insurers, after which suicide is typically treated like any other cause of death if the policy terms are met.

For a death in the first year where no suicide verdict is given, Legal & General says it may decide in its reasonable opinion whether the life insured took their own life, weighing the evidence from the time of the death, anything left behind or available from others, and relevant medical history. The guide to suicide and life insurance sets these clauses out in full, and what life insurance pays out for covers other causes of death.

Does what was said at application matter?

It can. Royal London's Personal Menu Plan application form (P1A0023/24) asks: "Have you used recreational drugs during the last 10 years?" Aviva's underwriting guide written for financial advisers (PT15357 0926) says it needs to know about "recreational" drug use over the same period. Legal & General's terms list incorrect answers to its application questions among the reasons a claim can be refused or impacted.

The Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act 2012 sets how far an insurer can go. "It is the duty of the consumer to take reasonable care not to make a misrepresentation to the insurer." The remedy depends on how the answer was wrong. For a careless answer, the Act's remedies schedule lets the insurer treat the contract as if on the terms it would have offered or, where it would have charged more, "reduce proportionately the amount to be paid on a claim". If it would have offered no cover at all, it may refuse claims but must return the premiums. For a deliberate or reckless answer the insurer "may avoid the contract and refuse all claims", and it is for the insurer to show the answer was deliberate or reckless. The guides to when an insurer can refuse to pay and to what has to be disclosed cover this fully.

How is a claim paid, and what if it is declined?

For a life cover claim, Legal & General asks for the date of death and the death certificate. It pays the policy owner; if the owner has died, their personal representative; and if the policy is in trust, the trustees. Aviva's over-50s conditions say the information it may ask for includes reports from coroners, medical practitioners and the police. If the death certificate is delayed, claiming before the death certificate arrives covers what can be done while you wait. What happens to life insurance when you die walks through the steps.

If an insurer declines or reduces a claim, the Financial Ombudsman Service says to complain to the firm first. "For most complaints, a business has up to 8 weeks to consider a complaint." After the final response, you have 6 months to bring the complaint to the Ombudsman, whose service is free, and a family member or friend can help you with it.

For a policy that already exists, its own terms and the insurer's assessment decide the outcome. Where past drug use is a worry for new cover, a broker can talk you through the application questions free of charge when they ring back in reply to the form on this page.

Frequently asked questions

Does a first-year exclusion mean the family receives nothing?

Not under the two over-50s documents quoted above: Aviva pays an amount equal to the premiums paid, and SunLife refunds all premiums paid unless Accidental Death Benefit is payable. Other policies word this differently.

Is critical illness cover treated the same way?

Not necessarily. The ABI's critical illness minimum standards include a model exclusion headed "Alcohol or drug abuse", but insurers are free to leave any model exclusion out; where they include one, they must use the ABI's wording. Whether critical illness cover pays out on death is a separate question.

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