Can life insurance companies access my medical records?

Key takeaways

• Insurers use your medical records to verify your health status and assess the risk of insuring you, they are particularly interested in any serious illnesses from the last five to ten years

• Insurers can only access your medical records with your explicit consent, though refusing access can potentially lead to them refusing to offer you cover

• Pre-existing health conditions can increase policy costs or lead to exclusions

• Some policies, like over 50s life insurance, do not require medical records

Why do insurers ask for medical details?

Insurers ask for medical details to understand the level of risk they’re taking on when offering you a life insurance policy.

Your health history, existing medical conditions, and lifestyle factors help them estimate how likely you are to make a claim and how costly that claim might be. 

Insurers are often particularly interested in any significant medical issues, diagnoses, treatments or hospital visits and stays you’ve had in the past five to ten years. These can provide a clearer picture of your current health and future risk.

For example, if you have a chronic condition or a history of serious illness, the insurer may see you as a higher risk and adjust your premium to reflect that.

What kind of medical information might insurers request?

Insurers might request a range of medical information, including:

• Your medical history: details of past or current illnesses, surgeries, or hospital treatments

• Existing medical conditions: such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, or mental health conditions

• Medication details: any prescriptions or regular treatments you take

• Family medical history: information about hereditary conditions, like cancer or heart disease

• Lifestyle factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, or exercise habits

• Height and weight: to calculate your body mass index (BMI)

• Recent medical test results: such as blood pressure, cholesterol, or blood sugar levels

• Doctor’s reports or medical examinations: these aresometimes required for life or health insurance applications

Can I get life insurance without insurers getting full access to my medical records?

Yes, you can get life insurance without giving full access to your medical records, though your options may be more limited.

Some insurers offer no medicalor guaranteed acceptance policies that only require you to answer a few basic health questions – [add dash] rather than have to undergo a medical examination or share your full records.

An over 50s life insurance policymight also be worth a look as this type of life insurance doesn’t require you to provide any medical details.

These policies can be an option if you have pre-existing conditions or prefer more privacy. That said, they often come with higher premiums or lower payout amounts. – so you need to tread carefully.

Also be aware, that even for most standard life insurance policies, insurers may ask for some medical information to help them assess the level of risk – so they can calculate your premiums accurately.

How do insurers access medical records?

Before requesting a medical report, insurers must obtain your formal consent. They usually do this as part of the policy application process.

Once they request access, you’ll be notified and given 21 days to review the report with your GP before it gets sent to the insurer. You have the right to know what's shared and can refuse disclosure at any stage.

📣 Did you know? Life insurers – or any insurer for that matter – cannot request a medical report from your GP without your consent. Your personal and medical information is protected by laws such as the Data Protection Act (2018) and the Access to Medical Reports Act (1988).

These laws ensure that your medical history cannot be accessed without your permission.

That said, while you’re not legally required to grant access to your medical records, you need to understand the implications. As an insurer may be unable to assess the level of risk without this information, they could decline your application or decide not to offer cover. You need to weigh this up before making any decision.

Pre-existing conditions, as detailed in your medical history, can potentially bump up the cost of your policy. Some insurers may even exclude certain conditions from cover. You need to be aware of this.

How do insurers access medical details if someone has died?

In the UK, medical confidentiality continues after death. Life insurance companies may request medical records after the policyholder's death when assessing a claim. However, but they'll need permission from someone authorised to act on behalf of the deceased, such as the executor or administrator of the estate.

They use this information, along with other documentation, to determine the validity of a claim.

How to prepare your medical records and reduce complications when applying for life insurance

Before applying for life cover gather together key details about your medical history, including past diagnoses, medications, and recent test results.

Make sure your GP records are up to date and accurate, as insurers may contact your doctor to verify the information you provide. Be honest and consistent when completing your application. This means disclosing all relevant medical conditions, even if you don’t think they are significant.

Failure to provide accurate information could delay your application, affect the terms of your cover, or lead to a claim being rejected in the future.

Having your records organised and ready helps speed up the process and reduces the risk of complications.

Kara Gammell
Personal Finance & Insurance Expert

Our expert says...

“Any request for personal information can understandably be uncomfortable. But significant protections are in place, enshrined in law, that support financial product customers.

Remember, you can withdraw your consent at any stage, but don’t be tempted to be creative or quiet about relevant information – it’s rarely worth the risk of voiding your policy in return for a few quid off your premiums.”

How do I find affordable life insurance?

If you want to find affordable life insurance, shopping around and comparing quotes is one of the best ways to save money. With MoneySuperMarket, you can compare policies and quotes from a range of providers in minutes, helping you to find a policy that meets both your needs and your budget.