Your health is one of the key factors that go into determining whether or not you can get life insurance, as well as how much it will cost. While you should be honest about your health, it usually won't lead to automatic disqualification, but withholding anything can have consequences.
Life insurance companies do have methods to verify the information you provide, and part of this process can involve checking your medical records. In this guide, we'll explain how the process works and what information they may access.
Why do insurers ask about your health?
When you apply for life cover, part of the insurer's job is to determine the level of risk you present. Without this, anyone could get cover, even those with serious health conditions which could cause significant losses for the insurer. That's why there has to be some form of due diligence.
It also helps them to understand your health and whether you have any pre-existing conditions that may increase your risk during the policy. This can also include health-related lifestyle factors like smoking.
From the insurer's perspective, the higher your risk, the more likely they are to charge you higher premiums. Depending on the circumstances, they might even place certain exclusions on your policy.
Do life insurance companies check your medical records?
Life insurance companies can check your medical records should they choose to. This won't always be the case, but they can still ask to.
When you apply for life insurance, the insurer will usually start by asking questions about your health, lifestyle, occupation, and family medical history. For many applications, this information alone is enough for them to make a decision.
However, if you have disclosed certain medical conditions, are applying for a larger amount of cover, or the insurer requires further information, they may ask for permission to review your records or request a medical report from your GP.
The purpose isn't to catch you out. Instead, it's simply a way for the insurer to verify the information provided and make sure the policy is priced correctly.
How far back do insurers check medical records?
There is no fixed timeframe for how far back an insurer will look. The amount of information that will be reviewed will depend on the circumstances of your application as well as the insurer's requirements.
In some cases, they may only need information from the last few years. In others, particularly where significant medical conditions are involved, they may review a much longer health history.
Unsure of your options?
What medical information do life insurance companies look at?
This usually depends on the prior information you give to your insurer. For example, if you said you had a history of certain medical conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, the insurer may look specifically for medical history related to those conditions.
In most cases, they will look for the following:
Pre-existing medical conditions
Current and previous medications
Height, weight, and other relevant health indicators
Cholesterol and Blood pressure readings
Results of medical tests, scans, or investigations
Hospital admissions and surgical procedures
Referrals to specialists or consultants
Your smoking and alcohol history
Not every application will require a medical records check. Many applications are assessed solely on the information provided in the health questionnaire. This may be the case where the applicant is younger, applying for a lower amount of cover, or has no significant medical history.
What questions will you be asked during the application?
Every insurer has its own application process, but most will ask questions about:
Your age and occupation
Whether you smoke or use nicotine products
Your height and weight
Any current or previous medical conditions
Medications you take regularly
Previous surgeries or hospital treatment
Your family's medical history
Your alcohol consumption
Often, the more accurate your answers are, the smoother the application process is likely to be. If you’re unsure about what information to provide, it's worth speaking with Cavendish Online for detailed guidance.
Will you need a medical exam?
Not necessarily. In most cases, insurers will first assess the information provided on the application form.
Depending on your age, health history, or how much cover you need, they may ask for additional medical information. But only if there's evidence to do so.
This could involve:
A medical questionnaire
A report from your GP
A nurse screening
Basic measurements such as blood pressure, height and weight
Blood or urine tests
If a medical examination is required, the insurer will usually arrange and pay for it.
Do you have to give permission to access your records?
Before requesting information from your GP, the insurer must obtain your permission. They cannot simply access your medical records whenever they want. This is backed by legislation such as the Access to Medical Records Act 1988.
You will usually be asked to provide consent during the application process. Without this consent, your medical details cannot be shared with the insurer. You'll also have the right to see the report before it is sent to the insurer, should you choose to do so.
What happens if I refuse to share my medical records?
You aren’t required to give permission for an insurer to access your medical records.
However, refusing access may make it difficult for the insurer to assess your application properly. As a result, they may:
Offer cover with restrictions
Charge higher premiums
Request alternative medical evidence
Insurers need enough information to understand the risk they are taking. So if they cannot verify certain details, they may be unwilling to offer you cover.
In most cases, they'll only check information that is relevant to your application, so you shouldn't be overly concerned about privacy.
Products & Services from the leading financial brands
Can you get life cover without providing medical information?
You can still get a life insurance policy without insurers requesting medical records or an exam. If you're younger, you usually won't need to undergo an exam, but for those who may struggle to get cover due to their health, there are other options available.
No medical life insurance
No medical policies involve little or no underwriting. These products generally ask fewer health questions and may not require access to medical records. However, this often comes with trade-offs, such as:
Higher premiums
Lower levels of cover
Waiting periods before certain claims can be made
Because of these limitations, it's not always the most suitable option for everyone.
Over 50s life insurance
Over 50s life insurance is one of the most common examples of cover that usually doesn't require detailed medical checks.
Most over 50s plans offer guaranteed acceptance within a specified age range and do not require medical examinations or extensive health questions.
While this can make them easier to access, they often provide lower levels of cover and may include an initial waiting period before the full benefit becomes available.
Quote & Apply Online
What medical conditions can affect life insurance?
Having a medical condition doesn't automatically exclude you from getting life insurance cover. However, certain conditions may affect the cost of your premiums or the terms offered by the insurer.
Mental health conditions
Conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions may be taken into account during underwriting. Insurers will often consider factors such as severity, treatment, medication, and how recently symptoms occurred.
Diabetes
Because diabetes is such a common medical condition, many insurers will offer cover to those living with the condition, but the specifics can vary between providers.
For example, type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be viewed differently, with potential differences in terms of premiums and costs. They may also look at treatment methods, blood sugar control, and whether you've developed any complications as a result.
High blood pressure
High blood pressure is another common condition that does not necessarily rule you out for getting cover. Instead, insurers will take into account how well your condition is controlled and any related health issues it may have caused, such as heart disease or kidney problems.
Heart conditions
A previous heart condition, such as a heart attack or coronary artery disease, can affect underwriting decisions. In this case, the insurer may consider the severity of the condition, treatment received, and how long ago the diagnosis occurred.
Cancer
Cancer can be a grey area when it comes to life insurance. Some insurers will offer cover for some types of cancer, but others may be more restrictive.
Generally, they will look at how advanced the cancer was, whether it has gone into remission, and if it has recurred.
Non-aggressive cancers that have been in remission for several years tend to pose a lower risk. So, as a result, they may offer more favourable terms or lower premiums. However, those with a more recent diagnosis or an aggressive form of cancer might face higher premiums or even be denied cover, depending on the insurer.
What happens if you don't disclose a medical condition?
You should answer health questions honestly and accurately when you apply for cover.
Failing to disclose a medical condition could lead to problems later if a claim is made.
If an insurer discovers that important medical information was deliberately withheld or misrepresented, they may reduce a payout, cancel the policy, or reject a claim altogether.
The same applies to any other information you give, such as your lifestyle choices, occupation, or family medical history.
What is the difference between deliberate and accidental non-disclosure?
Deliberate non-disclosure is when someone knowingly withholds information that they realise is relevant.
Accidental non-disclosure is usually the result of a genuine mistake or forgetting details about a previous condition or treatment.
Insurers are aware that honest mistakes can happen, especially if you have an extensive medical history or were unclear about past medical events.
In most cases, they will investigate the circumstances before deciding how to handle a claim.
Do life insurers check medical records after death?
Aside from when you apply, your death is another time when your insurer may check your medical records. If a claim is made following your death, they may review your health information to confirm that the details provided were accurate.
This is more common in instances where:
The claim occurs early in the policy term
The cause of death raises underwriting questions
There are inconsistencies in the original application
Further evidence is required to process the claim
Many claims are paid without any issues, but insurers may carry out checks where appropriate.
For more information, see our guide on why claims can get rejected.
Can a life insurance payout be delayed while records are checked?
In some instances, your beneficiaries may need to wait before they can access the proceeds of the policy's payout. If additional medical details are required, the process may take longer while the insurer gathers and reviews the relevant records.
The timeframe for a payout will usually depend on how quickly information can be obtained from healthcare providers. In other cases, such as if your death was a result of unusual or suspicious circumstances, the investigation might take longer.
Can insurers share information with other companies?
Insurance companies may share certain information as part of fraud prevention and underwriting processes. Regardless, they must do so in accordance with data protection laws and industry regulations.
In some circumstances, insurers may also have access to your information about previous applications or claims through industry databases and fraud prevention systems.
Do different types of life insurance have different medical checks?
The level of medical underwriting often depends on the type of policy you apply for:
Term life insurance
Term life insurance usually involves health and lifestyle questions. Depending on the circumstances, additional medical information may also be requested.
Whole life insurance
Because whole of life cover guarantees a payout whenever you die, insurers may carry out more detailed underwriting before offering cover.
Over 50s life insurance
Most over-50 plans involve limited medical questions and generally do not require medical examinations.
Joint life insurance
Joint life insurance requires information about both applicants, and each person's health will be assessed individually.
Compare Life Insurance quotes online...
Get expert help finding Life Cover
At Cavendish Online, our advisers can help you compare life insurance policies from across the market and explain how your health, medical history and personal circumstances may affect your cover options.
If you've had a medical condition in the past, we can also help identify insurers that may be more suitable for your situation.
If you already know what type of cover you're looking for and have a good understanding of your health history, you can get a life insurance quote online in just a few minutes and compare policies from leading UK insurers.
If you're unsure where to start, our team can guide you through the application process, explain any medical questions you may be asked, and help you find cover that fits your needs and budget.
Get an online quote today or speak to Cavendish Online for personalised support and guidance:
01392 24 87 35
(Monday to Thursday 10am – 7pm, Friday 10am – 6pm)
