BMI limits and lifestyle

We’ll ask your client to tell us as much as possible about how much alcohol they drink and if they work in the licenced trade.

We might request your client to undergo a nurses examination, which will include liver and kidney function blood tests.

There are several things we need to know if your client is involved in a hazardous activity, including how often they take part, where they do the activity (including which countries if abroad), any qualifications or memberships they have, any involvement in motorsport racing, and the depth and type of diving activities.

We ask about recreational drug use from clients applying for life insurance, critical Illness cover, income protection benefit and with optional benefit Waiver of Premium.

There’s no legal implications for your client if they answer ‘yes’ to this question, but as recreational drugs are known to increase mortality and morbidity, we may rate or decline their application.

We apply smoker’s rates to anyone who has smoked cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or used nicotine replacements within the last 12 months.

Smoking is regarded as an additional risk factor during the underwriting process. This may result in higher premiums, or an application being declined.

Ex-smoker rates may apply to individuals who have smoked in the last 5 years but not in the last 12 months.