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Tests & procedures · UK

Insurance medicals

Why insurers request medicals, what the examination and tests involve, and how results affect applications.

Key points

  • Depending on cover level and age, insurers may request a nurse screening (height, weight, blood pressure, urine test), blood tests including cholesterol, HbA1c and liver function, an ECG, or a full GP-style examination.

  • Fast if instructed, avoid alcohol for 24 hours and heavy exercise the day before, and bring ID and medication details; disclose your history accurately, since non-disclosure can void a policy entirely.

  • Examinations take 20 to 45 minutes, with results going to the insurer’s medical team within days.

  • The insurer’s underwriters interpret results against their criteria; you are entitled to ask for copies of results and to have abnormalities communicated to you or your GP.

About this test

Published 2026-09-27 · Next review 2027-09-27

Insurance medicals are underwriting tools for life cover, critical illness and income protection: routine at higher sums assured and older ages rather than a sign of suspicion. Findings like raised blood pressure or cholesterol more often adjust premiums than cause refusal. A useful side effect is that the screening occasionally uncovers something genuinely worth knowing, so ask for your results rather than letting them vanish into underwriting.

Waiting lists for NHS outpatient assessment remain long in much of the UK, and many of these checks are not offered on the NHS at all unless you meet strict criteria. Private clinics can usually see you within days on a self-pay basis, with no GP referral needed in most cases.

Frequently asked

Common questions about Insurance medicals.

Quick, plain-English answers to what people ask us most.

  • What is an insurance medical?

    An insurance medical is a health assessment requested by an insurance company as part of applying for life insurance, critical illness cover or income protection, used to help the insurer assess risk and set appropriate terms.

  • Why would an insurer request a medical?

    Insurers may request one based on your age, the amount of cover you're applying for, or answers given on your application form, particularly if you've disclosed a relevant medical history or risk factor.

  • Do I need to prepare for an insurance medical?

    It's helpful to have details of your medical history, current medications and any past test results to hand, and to follow any specific instructions given, such as fasting if blood tests are included.

  • What happens during the medical?

    It typically involves measurements like height, weight and blood pressure, a review of your medical history, and sometimes blood or urine tests, an ECG, or other checks depending on what the insurer has requested.

  • Does it hurt or carry any risks?

    The examination itself is non-invasive and low-risk, similar to a routine check-up, with any blood tests carrying only the usual minor discomfort of a standard blood draw.

  • How long do results take?

    Results are usually sent to the insurer within a couple of weeks, though this can vary depending on which tests were included and the provider used.

  • What happens if the medical finds something abnormal?

    If a finding affects your risk assessment, the insurer may ask for further tests, adjust your premium, or, in some cases, exclude certain conditions from cover. You'll usually be informed of any significant findings and can discuss them with your own GP as well.

  • Is an insurance medical free, and can I choose a private provider?

    The insurer usually arranges and pays for the medical directly, though some people choose to have a related private health check independently for their own peace of mind, with cost varying by provider for that separate service.

  • How reliable are insurance medicals?

    They use standard, well-established clinical measures and tests, so they're a reliable snapshot of your health at that point in time, though they are one part of a wider underwriting process alongside your application form and medical history.

  • How do I book a private health check alongside an insurance application?

    If you want independent reassurance about your health while going through the insurance process, private clinics can usually offer a comprehensive health check within a matter of days.