Life insurance and medical records explained

Giving your insurer access to your medical history might feel like an invasion of privacy. After all, your health is very personal. It’s understandable why you might not want to grant someone access to your medical records.

In this guide, we’ll explain why insurers might ask for a medical report. We'll explain what kind of information is in them and how they can affect your application. Knowing the facts about life insurance and medical records can help put your mind at ease.

Can life insurance companies access my medical records?

Yes, but only with your permission. This is a quick look at how it works:

1. Apply for a life insurance policy. 
2. Once they have your permission, they will contact your GP for a medical report.
3. Your GP will then send a statement about your health to the insurer. But, you’ll have 21 days to review the report with your GP before they send it to your insurers.

Can life insurance companies access my medical reports without my consent?

No, the only organisations that can access medical records without your consent are:

• the police
• social services
• the DVLA

They would still need a good reason to see your records.

If you don’t want your insurer to view any part of your medical history, then you can deny their request. But, be aware, this could result in your life insurance application being rejected.

When would an insurer request your medical history documents?

There may be times when an insurer will request to see your medical records. These include:

Initial application

Providers may request access to your medical record if your application raised any concerns.

For example, if you disclose that you had cancer three years ago but have now recovered. The insurers may want to know more information about what type of cancer you had, if it is likely to return, etc.

Contestability period

Most life insurance policies have a ‘contestability period’. This is a one or two-year period after the cover starts. If you die during that time, the insurer might want to check for undeclared illnesses.

How far back do life insurance companies look at medical records?

Your medical history can go as far back as twenty years. But, most life insurance medical requests will focus on the last five to ten. This is because the insurer is most interested in recent illnesses and treatments.

They’ll also want reassurance that you have been clear of any illnesses for a couple of years. Sometimes insurers might want to go beyond ten years but this would be unusual.

Can I get life insurance with no medical records?

Yes. If your insurer regards you as low risk, they may not ask to see your medical records. This is fairly common.

You may come across "guaranteed life insurance" if:

• you are older
• you have a pre-existing medical condition
• you’re considering whole-of-life cover, or over-50s life insurance. These policies will not ask for your medical records even if you’re deemed high-risk.

These are likely to be more expensive as the insurer knows they’re much more likely to pay out.

What if I don’t agree with my doctor's medical report?

If you don’t agree with your medical report:

1. Raise your concerns direct with your doctor
2. After your discussion, they may decide to amend the report, though this is unlikely. 
3. Then, you have the right to submit a cover letter with your medical report. This can explain which aspects you contest and why. 
4. You can also stop the report being sent altogether. but this may result in your life insurance application being denied.

Do life insurance companies check medical records after death?

Life insurance companies do sometimes check medical records after someone passes away. But, they will need permission from the individual authorised to act on their behalf. That could be a lawyer or a close family member.

Insurers are more likely to check medical records if someone passed away during the ‘contestability period’. This could be if someone died from an illness, such as cancer or a heart attack. This is typically around one to two years.