Do life insurance companies check medical records?

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.

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.

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.