There were only three complaints to insurance providers about the use of a genetic test in 2023, according to findings from the 2024 Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance, released yesterday.
All three were resolved between the customer and insurance provider
The Code was first published in 2018 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and is an agreement between the government and ABI.
According to the ABI, under the code, insurance companies that have signed up to it do not require or pressure you to have a predictive or diagnostic genetic test, under any circumstances
Also insurance companies will not ask customers for genetic tests, or take into account the result of a predictive genetic test – with the only exception being if a customer is applying for life insurance over £500,000 and has had a predictive genetic test for Huntington’s Disease.
Since the last report, 7,453 genetic tests, including predictive and diagnostic tests, were reported to insurance companies that are signed up to the code.
The report also showed that in 2023: 93% of life insurance policies fell below the financial limit of £500,000.
A total of 86% of income protection policies fell within the limit of £30,000 (per year).
And 99% of critical illness policies and 95% of accelerated critical illness policies fell under the limit of £300,000.
The government and ABI are now involved in preparations ahead of the 2025 triennial review of the code, where results from the 2023 call for evidence and views of stakeholders will be used to review the code and ensure it is fit for purpose.
