What the insurance company needs to know

Important note: you should include all relevant information on your application - failing to do so is known as ‘non-disclosure‘ and could eventually result in a claim being refused by the insurance company. (If you're not sure what information is or isn't relevant, please call us and we'll be pleased to advise you.)

Underwriting

When the insurance company receives your application, it will be assessed by specialists. The information you provide on the application form helps the insurance company to decide whether your application is accepted at face value, needs supporting with more information, has exclusions or is deferred for a period of time, or is declined altogether. If further information is required, usually that takes the form of a written report from your GP, the results of a medical examination, or your answers to a medical, financial or personal activities questionnaire.

Another consideration is the amount of cover requested. The insurance company would look at an applicant's financial circumstances and assess whether they are relative to the amount of cover required. So if for example you request cover that totals 50 times more than your annual income, then the insurance company may ask you why you want to pay for a lot more cover than it appears you need.