For people who have previously been diagnosed with cancer, obtaining mortgage protection insurance can sometimes present challenges, even years after completing treatment.
On 15th October 2026, new legislation came into effect in Ireland to improve access to mortgage protection insurance for eligible cancer survivors. The Insurance (Disregard of Certain Medical History and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2026 introduces statutory protections concerning how insurers assess an applicant's previous cancer diagnosis.
Here are five key things to know about the new law and what it means for consumers.
1. What is the new Right to Disregard?
The Right to Disregard means that insurers must disregard an applicant's previous cancer-related medical history when assessing an application for mortgage protection insurance, provided certain eligibility conditions are met.
The legislation builds on a voluntary Code of Practice introduced by the insurance industry through Insurance Ireland in 2023. Under the previous Code, adults generally had to wait seven years after completing cancer treatment and entering remission, while a five-year period applied to those diagnosed before turning 18.
The new legislation introduces a single five-year period for all eligible applicants, regardless of age, placing these protections on a statutory footing and providing greater certainty and consistency.
2. Who qualifies under the five-year rule?
To qualify for the Right to Disregard, applicants must meet two conditions:
They must have completed active cancer treatment at least five years before applying.
They must have been in complete remission for at least five years before applying.
Both conditions must be satisfied.
Certain ongoing treatments, such as anti-hormonal medication or preventative treatment intended to reduce the risk of cancer returning, are not counted as active cancer treatment under the legislation. This means that continuing these treatments does not, by itself, prevent someone from qualifying.
3. What mortgage protection insurance is covered?
Mortgage protection insurance is a type of life insurance generally required when taking out a mortgage. It is designed to repay the outstanding mortgage balance if the insured person dies during the policy term, subject to the policy's terms and conditions.
The new legislation applies to mortgage protection insurance for an applicant's principal private residence, meaning the property they occupy, or intend to occupy, as their main home. This means the protections do not apply to mortgages for buy-to-let or investment properties.
The Right to Disregard applies to cover of up to €650,000, an increase from the €500,000 limit under the previous voluntary Code of Practice.
Where an applicant seeks cover above this amount, insurers may apply their normal underwriting process to the portion exceeding the threshold.
The legislation does not extend these statutory protections to other forms of life insurance, such as standalone life cover or income protection insurance.
4. Will you still need to disclose your cancer history?
Although eligible cancer-related medical history must be disregarded when assessing an application, insurers may still request information reasonably necessary to establish whether an applicant qualifies.
This may include:
The date of the original cancer diagnosis.
The date active cancer treatment was completed.
Confirmation from an oncologist that the applicant has been in complete remission for the required period.
Applicants should answer questions accurately and provide any relevant supporting information requested by their insurer.
5. What happens if your application is refused?
The Right to Disregard does not automatically guarantee that an application for mortgage protection insurance will be accepted.
Insurers may still consider other relevant underwriting factors, including medical conditions unrelated to an applicant's previous cancer diagnosis.
Under the legislation, insurers must notify applicants of their decision in writing. Where an application is refused, the insurer must also provide the reasons for that decision.
If you believe the Right to Disregard applies to you, but are unsure how it has been considered in your application, you can contact your insurer or insurance broker for clarification.
Moving Forward
The introduction of the Right to Disregard is an important development for cancer survivors seeking mortgage protection insurance in Ireland.
For those considering buying a home after cancer treatment, understanding the new protections and how they apply can help make the application process clearer.
Need More Assistance?
If you have further questions, you can contact Insurance Ireland's Information Services team:
Email: feedback@insuranceireland.eu
Tel: (01) 676 1820