Life Assurance - will a life assurance company always request medical records?

Old_Lifer

It is as davidmcn says.       At the  proposal stage,  they are only really  going to ask your GP about specific points  mentioned by you in the proposal   and  on which they want more information before making a decision on acceptance.

By the time I left service long ago,   all medical information  from doctors was being treated on a 'need to know basis' and was only seen by those who actually dealt with the proposal.   These people  dealt with proposals  and medical information all day long and would only be interested  in anything which would influence a decision on acceptance. 

Nowadays,   with data protection   a big concern,  I would imagine  medical information will be even better guarded.

 

starrystarry

If it's any reassurance, I can promise you that whatever these personal issues during your teenage years were they'll be of very little interest to the underwriter (I am one) unless they impact on your insurability now.  We're looking at medical reports day in day out, we've seen it all before and we just skim over what isn't relevant.

Also, you can opt to view the report before it is sent to the insurance company.  That way you can see what your GP has said about you and if you're not happy with the info being shared you can stop it going to the insurance company.

csgohan4

starrystarry said:

If it's any reassurance, I can promise you that whatever these personal issues during your teenage years were they'll be of very little interest to the underwriter (I am one) unless they impact on your insurability now.  We're looking at medical reports day in day out, we've seen it all before and we just skim over what isn't relevant.

Also, you can opt to view the report before it is sent to the insurance company.  That way you can see what your GP has said about you and if you're not happy with the info being shared you can stop it going to the insurance company.

technically that last paragraph is incorrect from a GP point of view. If a patient asks for the Gp report to omit say, they had depression or felt low in mood or suicidal once, You can stop it going to the insurer, but you won't get cover either as the GP will notify the insurer certain unspecified items were not disclosed at patient's request and the insurer makes decisions based on risk and ease of applications.

starrystarry

csgohan4 said:

starrystarry said:

If it's any reassurance, I can promise you that whatever these personal issues during your teenage years were they'll be of very little interest to the underwriter (I am one) unless they impact on your insurability now.  We're looking at medical reports day in day out, we've seen it all before and we just skim over what isn't relevant.

Also, you can opt to view the report before it is sent to the insurance company.  That way you can see what your GP has said about you and if you're not happy with the info being shared you can stop it going to the insurance company.

technically that last paragraph is incorrect from a GP point of view. If a patient asks for the Gp report to omit say, they had depression or felt low in mood or suicidal once, You can stop it going to the insurer, but you won't get cover either as the GP will notify the insurer certain unspecified items were not disclosed at patient's request and the insurer makes decisions based on risk and ease of applications.

What exactly is incorrect about what I said?  The applicant can view the report and stop it being sent to the GP.  That is technically correct.  I didn't say the applicant can ask the GP to omit relevant information.

Old_Lifer

starrystarry    tells us that  nowadays you can view the report  before it is sent to the  insurer.

I think what    csgohan4    is saying is that  if the report  is returned with  some questions  unanswered,  this would  arouse suspicion  and as the insurer would not be  in possession of the full facts,  would lead to a  refusal  to offer terms and a declined proposal.

starrystarry

Old_Lifer said:

starrystarry    tells us that  nowadays you can view the report  before it is sent to the  insurer.

I think what    csgohan4    is saying is that  if the report  is returned with  some questions  unanswered,  this would  arouse suspicion  and as the insurer would not be  in possession of the full facts,  would lead to a  refusal  to offer terms and a declined proposal.

That's as maybe, but it doesn't make what I said "technically...incorrect".

csgohan4

starrystarry said:

Old_Lifer said:

starrystarry    tells us that  nowadays you can view the report  before it is sent to the  insurer.

I think what    csgohan4    is saying is that  if the report  is returned with  some questions  unanswered,  this would  arouse suspicion  and as the insurer would not be  in possession of the full facts,  would lead to a  refusal  to offer terms and a declined proposal.

That's as maybe, but it doesn't make what I said "technically...incorrect".

The question then is why do an application knowing certain items may be included and therefore OP won't send it? Waste of Gp's time and Insurers time.  

You are correct if you view the report the GP has done and don't want to send it to the insurer, but as above what's the point. But if you ask the Gp to omit certain info, the GP will be disclosing this has been done without naming said condition. 

We are only speculating here, could be anything from drug addiction previous to an ingrown toenail. Either way an insurer will want to know all medical records should the time come the OP wants to claim. If Op is afraid of data protection, then they should speak to the insurer regarding their safeguards.