If you’ve heard that insurers can access your medical records during a life insurance application, you might have found it off-putting.
This guide aims to debunk common myths about insurance companies and how they can access your medical information, as well as why they need to know about your medical history.
Do life insurance companies have access to medical records?
Life insurance companies can only access your medical records with your permission.
It’s reassuring to know that insurers can’t just access your medical information as and when they wish. You’ll need to give consent for them to contact your GP for a medical report.
You’ll also be able to see the medical report before it gets sent to the insurer, and you can request for changes to be made if you’re not happy.
Should I give an insurance company access to my medical records?
Yes, if you’re wanting to buy life insurance, giving consent for insurers to check your medical records means they have the correct information to assess your application.
If you don’t give permission for insurers to see your records, they could decline your application as they won’t have all the information they need.
Why do life insurance companies ask to see medical records?
Insurers may ask to check your medical records to get a better understanding of your health and wellbeing.
During the application process you’ll need to answer questions about your health and lifestyle. Depending on the information you give, insurers may need more information in order to assess your application.
When insurers review your application, they are assessing your level of risk, they base this on how likely it is for a claim to be made during the policy term.
Pre-existing medical conditions, obesity, heavy smoking and heavy drinking are some high-risk factors that could lead to insurers wanting to see your medical records.
By checking your records, they’ll know the full risk involved with offering you a policy. They can accurately assess your application to understand whether they can offer you a policy or not.
What medical information do insurers need?
When asking for a medical report from your GP, insurers will want information such as:
- Medical conditions/diseases
- Specialist care
- Medication/treatments
- Hospital visits
- Tests, scans and x-rays
How do life insurance companies check my medical history?
Insurers will check your medical records by getting your consent to do so. Once they have consent, they will contact your GP for a medical report.
You’ll have the opportunity to see the report before it’s sent over to the insurer. You’ll have 21 days to review. If you think anything in the report is misleading or inaccurate, you can request for it to be changed, or you can ask to send a written statement with the report.
Can my medical history affect my life insurance application?
Yes, your medical history is something that can affect your life insurance application, as well as the price you’ll pay for a policy.
Depending on the medical information you give during the initial application questionnaire, you could experience:
- Increased premiums
- A medical report or exam
- Your application being postponed
- Your application being declined
Each insurer has different underwriting criteria, so if you have been declined or offered a policy that’s too expensive through one insurer, you might have better luck with another.
It’s important to compare a wide range of quotes so that you get the best cover for your personal circumstances.
Can I get life insurance without an insurer seeing my medical records?
Yes, insurers won’t always ask to see your medical records. It will depend on your personal circumstances as to whether they check them or not.
If you’re a standard applicant with no high-risk factors, it could be possible to buy life insurance without having your medical information checked.
Alternatively, if you’re aged 50–85, you could take out an over-50s plan. With an over-50s plan, you won’t be asked any medical questions during the application process, meaning insurers won’t check your medical records or ask for a medical exam.
How to access my medical records
If you’d like to access your medical records prior to a life insurance application, it’s quite an easy process. Via the NHS website, you can view your GP health record online.
This record will contain information such as:
- Any conditions you’ve been diagnosed with
- Prescriptions
- Allergies
- Vaccinations
- Test results
- Appointment notes
- Letters from hospitals and specialists
If you’re applying for life insurance with a health condition, it could be helpful to check your records so you know the date of diagnosis and what treatments/medications you’ve received.
Please note that information from a long time ago may not be visible on this record. You’ll need to contact your GP to make it visible.
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