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Privacy Issue? Parents Medical History/
Nibow
Posts: 1 Newbie
My son recently applied for life insurance and was asked to give details about his parents medical history, which he gave without giving it a second thought. He was however unsure about one question and texted me to confirm.
It was only later when I asked why he need to know my info earlier, that he explain it was part of the application process.
My concern here is that a third party i.e. the insurance company, now has very specific details on file of my medical history (including approximate dates etc.), without either my permission and (had my son not told me), without my knowledge.
I rang the insurance broker, who was arrogant and less than cooperative, only to be told this is "standard practice", and he could not understand my concerns regarding the privacy of my information.
I'm not paranoid, but surely the privacy of my medical history should be a given, as it is with medical authorities etc, and up to me to decide who has it.
So my questions are, where do I stand on this? Can I complain and if so to whom? What are my rights?
Thanks in advance
Kind Regards
Ni
It was only later when I asked why he need to know my info earlier, that he explain it was part of the application process.
My concern here is that a third party i.e. the insurance company, now has very specific details on file of my medical history (including approximate dates etc.), without either my permission and (had my son not told me), without my knowledge.
I rang the insurance broker, who was arrogant and less than cooperative, only to be told this is "standard practice", and he could not understand my concerns regarding the privacy of my information.
I'm not paranoid, but surely the privacy of my medical history should be a given, as it is with medical authorities etc, and up to me to decide who has it.
So my questions are, where do I stand on this? Can I complain and if so to whom? What are my rights?
Thanks in advance
Kind Regards
Ni
0
Comments
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My son recently applied for life insurance and was asked to give details about his parents medical history, which he gave without giving it a second thought. He was however unsure about one question and texted me to confirm.
It was only later when I asked why he need to know my info earlier, that he explain it was part of the application process.
My concern here is that a third party i.e. the insurance company, now has very specific details on file of my medical history (including approximate dates etc.), without either my permission and (had my son not told me), without my knowledge.
I rang the insurance broker, who was arrogant and less than cooperative, only to be told this is "standard practice", and he could not understand my concerns regarding the privacy of my information.
I'm not paranoid, but surely the privacy of my medical history should be a given, as it is with medical authorities etc, and up to me to decide who has it.
So my questions are, where do I stand on this? Can I complain and if so to whom? What are my rights?
Thanks in advance
Kind Regards
Ni
No because for life insurance or medical insurance they do need to know your family medical history as it is a rating factor.
I have always had to disclose my immediate families history when applying for cover
If he hadn't disclosed the cover or not told material facts then they would have either refused cover or not paid out
Most of the information would be minimal regarding you it's normall click box so asthma yes/no that sort of thing i doubt they would even have taken your name from himFirst Date 08/11/2008, Moved In Together 01/06/2009, Engaged 01/01/10, Wedding Day 27/04/2013, Baby Moshie due 29/06/2019 :T0 -
No personal details other than a relationship, the disclosed medical condition and the approximate age of diagnosis are entered onto a life insurance application so no-one, without prior knowledge of yours and your sons relationship would ever be able to identify you from this.0
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This seems to be illegal under GDPR. They need your explicit permission to process and store this kind of information. Your children can't give it on your behalf. They should have contacted you to ask for it.
Try making a formal complaint. Ask them what information they have about you, and cite the GDPR as requiring them to tell you. Also ask them for evidence that they obtained your permission to process that data.
If you are not satisfied you can then make a complaint to the Information Commissioner. Maybe also to whatever trade body they are part of.0 -
DELETED USER wrote:This seems to be illegal under GDPR. They need your explicit permission to process and store this kind of information. Your children can't give it on your behalf. They should have contacted you to ask for it.
Try making a formal complaint. Ask them what information they have about you, and cite the GDPR as requiring them to tell you. Also ask them for evidence that they obtained your permission to process that data.
If you are not satisfied you can then make a complaint to the Information Commissioner. Maybe also to whatever trade body they are part of.
Do you not think the UK life insurance companies, seeing as they ALL ask this information, have checked the legality of these questions?0 -
DELETED USER wrote:This seems to be illegal under GDPR. They need your explicit permission to process and store this kind of information. Your children can't give it on your behalf. They should have contacted you to ask for it.
Try making a formal complaint. Ask them what information they have about you, and cite the GDPR as requiring them to tell you. Also ask them for evidence that they obtained your permission to process that data.
If you are not satisfied you can then make a complaint to the Information Commissioner. Maybe also to whatever trade body they are part of.
Under GDPR surely they wont be able to disclose this as it's not her policy?
They dont take any identifing information about the parents to process the application. I have never been asked for my families name, dates of birth ect to get a quote or take out life or medical cover so she is unidentifiable to them as a client?
Considering how long GDPR has been going now and that every life insurance/medical insurance company ask this information it must have been address with the ICO and FCA by now and prior to it coming inFirst Date 08/11/2008, Moved In Together 01/06/2009, Engaged 01/01/10, Wedding Day 27/04/2013, Baby Moshie due 29/06/2019 :T0 -
There's a bit of difference between being told "Mr X, dob and address was diagnosed with Y on such and such a date, had Z treatment and the outcome was..."
and the far more likely
"my dad (no further specifics given) has had heart issues for the last 10 years. "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.0 -
DELETED USER wrote:This seems to be illegal under GDPR. They need your explicit permission to process and store this kind of information. Your children can't give it on your behalf. They should have contacted you to ask for it.
Try making a formal complaint. Ask them what information they have about you, and cite the GDPR as requiring them to tell you. Also ask them for evidence that they obtained your permission to process that data.
If you are not satisfied you can then make a complaint to the Information Commissioner. Maybe also to whatever trade body they are part of.
How would the Insurance Company identify the Complainant - they don't hold the Forenames or DOB or Address - they might have the Surname perhaps depending on the applicant for the policy having the same surname.0 -
My thinking as above, they dont have your details on file. Nothing to link the answers to your family.
Contact them and they say your not a customer and we dont have any information on you.
If you dont want your son giving your information away then take that up with him. Although he may have issues getting cover.Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...0
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