family medical history affect on mortgage cover?

Diane Selwyn

I have to take out mortgage protection cover and the proposal from the broker is asking re family medical history whether, before the age of 60, any of my parents or siblings experienced a number of named medical conditions 'or any other hereditary disease or disorder'. All pretty standard I guess and no problem so long as you don't take into account that a few years ago one of my younger brothers died unexpectedly at the age of 33. The coroner eventually ruled that the cause was inconclusive which I guess means they would have ruled out all the medical conditions listed in the proposal and that it can't be said to be definitely anything hereditary. So do I need to mention it at all? I haven't asked the broker about it yet as it didn't actually occur to me until I read through the form.

Trish56

I think if any of the list of illnesses on the proposal form is not mentioned on your brother's death certificate well then your answer to the question would be no.

Diane Selwyn wrote: »

I have to take out mortgage protection cover and the proposal from the broker is asking re family medical history whether, before the age of 60, any of my parents or siblings experienced a number of named medical conditions 'or any other hereditary disease or disorder'. All pretty standard I guess and no problem so long as you don't take into account that a few years ago one of my younger brothers died unexpectedly at the age of 33. The coroner eventually ruled that the cause was inconclusive which I guess means they would have ruled out all the medical conditions listed in the proposal and that it can't be said to be definitely anything hereditary. So do I need to mention it at all? I haven't asked the broker about it yet as it didn't actually occur to me until I read through the form.

Diane Selwyn

Thanks Trish56 - I actually had decided to include the info and get the forms back to the broker asap in case they come looking for more detail. Hopefully it won't be an issue but I thought it might be better in the end to pay a higher premium (within reason) than to pay for something that might not be honoured should it ever came down to it. I had all the cardio screening already so if they want the results they are welcome. Its a bit odd though - on the form where you give them permission to access your medical records there is some disclaimer about how they won't take into account the results of any genetic testing - so why ask about family history then? Fingers crossed anyway - my brother is definitely laughing at my stupid problems...

killers1

Diane Selwyn wrote: »

Thanks Trish56 - I actually had decided to include the info and get the forms back to the broker asap in case they come looking for more detail. Hopefully it won't be an issue but I thought it might be better in the end to pay a higher premium (within reason) than to pay for something that might not be honoured should it ever came down to it. I had all the cardio screening already so if they want the results they are welcome. Its a bit odd though - on the form where you give them permission to access your medical records there is some disclaimer about how they won't take into account the results of any genetic testing - so why ask about family history then? Fingers crossed anyway - my brother is definitely laughing at my stupid problems...

You should answer 'yes'. Had a similar case recently. Insurance Co asked whether any screening was done after the siblings death and like you they had cardio screening with normal results. The cover was accepted with no additional loading on the premium.

Diane Selwyn

Thats good to know thanks! If I have any problems I might come back to you to see which insurer you used.

P. Breathnach

I'm also of the view that the right thing is to tell them. Under the rules of insurance, you have an obligation to disclose anything that might have a bearing on the risk, even if you are not specifically asked.

I would hope that no claim arises on the policy. But if one did, it might be repudiated by the insurer if a material fact had not been disclosed.