Insurance Medical Examinations ACROSS THE UK

An insurance medical is a medical examination commissioned by an insurance company to assess an applicant’s health before offering cover, or to support the assessment of a claim. It typically involves a blood test, urinalysis, blood pressure measurement, and a review of the applicant’s medical history. The insurer or its underwriter receives the results, not the applicant’s GP.

A standard insurance medical includes a medical history review, blood pressure measurement, height, weight, and BMI recording, a blood test covering cholesterol, liver function, HbA1c, kidney function, and a full blood count, a urinalysis, and, in some cases, an ECG. The specific components depend on your insurer’s requirements for the type and value of policy you are applying for.

Most insurance medical examinations take between 30 and 45 minutes. The exact length depends on the components your insurer requires and whether an ECG is included.

If the examination or blood tests identify a clinically significant finding, the examining doctor will discuss it with you at the appointment or shortly afterwards. Where a finding may affect your health, you will be advised to follow up with your own GP. The insurer’s underwriter will then assess the report and contact you or your broker about any impact on your application.

Medical examinations are most commonly required for life insurance, income protection insurance, and critical illness cover, particularly for policies above certain sum assured thresholds. They may also be required for mortgage protection policies, key person insurance for business owners, and in some cases group protection schemes. Your insurer or broker will confirm whether your application requires a medical examination.

No. You do not need a GP referral to attend an insurance medical at Private Medical Clinic. Individuals can book directly, and insurers can commission examinations through our corporate bookings service.

An insurance medical is carried out for underwriting purposes, to assess an applicant’s health before a policy is offered or to support a claims assessment. An independent medical examination is a clinical assessment commissioned for legal, employment, or dispute-resolution purposes, often for use in court or tribunal proceedings. Both involve a clinical examination and written report, but the purpose, format, and recipient differ.

Insurers request medical examinations when a policy's value warrants objective health data beyond a standard health declaration. This is most common for life insurance policies above certain sum assured thresholds, income protection policies, and critical illness cover where you have disclosed specific conditions. It is a routine part of the underwriting process and does not mean there is a problem with your application.

You may be asked to fast for a minimum of eight hours before your appointment if your insurer has requested a fasting cholesterol or fasting glucose test. Check the instructions your insurer sent. If you are unsure, contact us before your appointment and we will confirm what is required.

Your insurance medical results are prepared as a report for your insurer and returned directly to them. Under UK data protection law, you have the right to request access to your own health records, including the examination report, by contacting Private Medical Clinic directly.

Results are typically returned to your insurer within three to five working days of the appointment. If you need an urgent decision, you can arrange an expedited turnaround at the time of booking.

Yes. If you would like a medical assessment for your own records, or to understand your health profile before applying for protection insurance, you can book a private health assessment at any of our 10 UK clinics without an insurer’s request. Self-pay appointments are available.

Insurance medicals carried out to underwrite a new policy are generally not covered by private medical insurance, as they are not for the diagnosis or treatment of a medical condition. Check your policy terms or contact your PMI provider for confirmation.