Types of evidence
The types of evidence we require and exactly what’s involved.
To help us make a fair and accurate assessment of your client's application we may need to ask for more information than is provided on the application form. The types of information we may ask for include:
A general practitioner's report
We may ask for this in the following situations:
- Depending on your client’s current age and the amount of cover they want (please see our medical underwriting limits)
- When your client hasn't included enough information about a medical condition in their application form
- When the evidence needed can only come from a qualified medical professional, usually for more serious medical conditions.
This gives us information about your client's:
- Health history (we usually need records for the last five years)
- Current health.
We ask the GP to complete a report based on your client's medical records. Your client doesn't need to be there for the GP to do this. But you should be aware that it can take several weeks for a GP to respond to our request for a report.
If your client has answered 'yes' to any health questions it's very important that you include full GP details in the application form. These details should include a postcode and phone number. If your client has been with their GP for less than six months, please include full details of their previous GP.
A miniscreen or paramed or doctor's examination
We ask for this:
- Depending on your client’s current age and the amount of cover they want (please see our medical underwriting limits)
- For a medical condition that we can't assess from the information included on the application form. Examples include things like obesity, high blood pressure or family history.
We use a third party provider who will contact your client independently. They'll then arrange with your client a convenient time and place for an examination or paramed to take place.
How quickly will this happen?
The third party provider will contact your client within five days of us speaking to them but we can arrange to fast-track urgent cases.
About the miniscreen
A nurse will conduct the miniscreen and this will include a physical examination of height, weight, blood pressure, urine and pulse.
About the paramed
A nurse will conduct the paramed and this will include a physical examination of height, weight, blood pressure, urine and pulse. Just like the miniscreen but the nurse will also ask questions about your client's medical history, their family history and lifestyle habits. These questions are similar to those in our application form.
About the doctor's examination
A number of factors will determine whether we send your client for a doctor's examination. A doctor will conduct a physical examination of height, weight, blood pressure, urine and pulse. The doctor will also ask questions about your client's medical history, their family history and lifestyle habits. Depending on the conditions being investigated, the doctor will carry out additional and more detailed tests.
Medical tests
We assess each case on an individual basis and where a test is needed, we'll contact your client. Where a test is needed for HIV we'll always issue a letter of explanation along with some useful advice.
Blood test
Sometimes we ask for a blood test to be done as a routine requirement. We may ask for this test to be carried out as a routine check.
For example, where there is a family history of heart disease and for someone with raised cholesterol. We may also ask for a blood test, as a result of evidence that we receive, or where an abnormality is noted in your client's medical history.
Urine test
Sometimes we ask for this to be done along with a blood test. We'll also ask for a urine test, as a result of evidence that we receive, or where an abnormality is noted in your client's medical history.
Cotinine test
Cotinine is a chemical produced by the body when nicotine is broken down. A cotinine test provides an indication of whether products containing nicotine have been used.
Genetic test results
If a client has had a predictive genetic test for Huntington’s disease, they only have to tell us the results if their application, when added together with any cover they have of the same type, is for more than £500,000 of Life Cover.
However, if they’ve had any genetic test and the results are in their favour, they can choose whether to tell us the results or not. They must tell us however, if they think they’re having treatment for, or are experiencing symptoms of, a genetic condition.
See Genetic Testing for more information, or you can visit the Association of British Insurers (opens in a new window).
Additional questionnaires
Medical questionnaire
This is used as an alternative to a GP report and asks more detailed questions about a specific medical condition, for example, asthma.
We'll ask the GP or doctor who is treating your client to complete this questionnaire where your client has told us of a specific medical condition, but has not included enough details for us to assess the risk.
Your client doesn't need to be there for the GP or doctor to do this.
Financial questionnaire
We issue this when clients apply for high amounts of cover. See our financial underwriting limits for more details of when we'll ask for this.
This helps us to assess the level of cover your clients need in relation to their financial circumstances.
Leisure activity questionnaire
Where your client takes part in a leisure activity that involves risk, we'll ask them to complete a questionnaire to help assess how great that risk is.
Some leisure activities put your client at greater risk of accident or death. Others increase wear and tear on the body and can have a long-term impact on their health.