Do life insurance companies check your medical records?

Life insurance companies won't always check your medical records, but they can ask to.

When applying for most forms of life insurance you'll be required to provide information on your medical wellbeing.

This will include questions such as:

Your answers to these questions may require you to provide further information to allow the life insurance provider to determine the level of risk you pose.

This further information may be collected via your medical records.

You'll be required to provide permission to allow the provider to obtain access to your medical records, but refusal could lead to the decline of cover.

Ultimately, life insurance companies won't always check your medical records if the information provided is adequate, or the type of cover you're arranging doesn't require medical information.

Continue reading to fully understand if/when a life insurance company will check your medical records…

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Do life insurance companies check medical records after death?

Life insurance companies won't necessarily check your medical records upon your passing.

However, most life insurance cover incorporates a contestability clause. This is a period of time from the start of the policy when a life insurance company can investigate your death further.

The contestability clause is usually 12-24 months from the point at which protection is established.

If you pass away during this period, a life insurance provider can investigate your death to ensure all of the information you provided at application was accurate.

This could involve requesting an inquisition into your death or even reviewing medical records.

If it's found that you have withheld or supplied false information about your medical wellbeing, whether it's related to your death or not, it's likely a claim will be denied.

Therefore, it's essential to be forthcoming and honest during the application process.

If you were to pass away after this period, the provider may not request access to your medical records.

They may also not wish to access your medical records even if you were to pass away during the contestability period.

When life insurance companies will check your medical records

There are a number of instances when a life insurance company may check your medical records.

These include:

  • During the contestability clause, (as detailed above)
  • If further information is required during application

During the application for most life insurance types, you'll be required to supply information regarding your medical history and wellbeing.

If during this process high-risk factors are identified, such as a pre-existing condition or unfavourable family medical history, the provider may require further information.

This may be in the form of a medical exam or requiring access to your medical records.

This further information will then be used to determine the level of risk you pose to the insurer and allow them to calculate your premiums accordingly.

Medical records checked by policy type

As discussed, the likelihood of a life insurance provider accessing your medical records will be strongly influenced by the type of policy you look to secure.

Typically, there are 3 types of life insurance policy:

  1. Term life insurance
  2. Whole of life insurance
  3. Over 50s life insurance

Both term life insurance and whole of life insurance will require you to provide information regarding your health at application.

Therefore, there's a chance with both of these forms of cover that life insurance providers may request access to your medical records.

Over 50s cover, on the other hand, provides guaranteed acceptance to all UK citizens aged 50-85 with no medical information.

As a result, when arranging this form of cover, a life insurance provider will never request access to your medical records.

Arrange life insurance with no medical record access

To ensure a life insurance provider doesn’t access your medical records, the best life insurance policy to arrange would be an over 50s plan.

However, due to the age restrictions and limited sum assured, this may not be the most appropriate cover for everyone.

First and foremost, you should determine the right type of cover to suit your needs.

As discussed, a life insurance provider won't always require access to your medical records, but if they do, you do have the option to decline.

However, declining access is likely to result in your application being rejected.

It's always best to be open and honest during the application process to ensure that your cover is valid and your needs are met.

Comparing providers can help put you in touch with the insurers most likely to accept your application.

Call our award-winning team for all the information you need to make an informed decision and receive your free quotes today.

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