Will this mean that I pay higher premiums or mean I am refused cover?

It is unlikely that disclosures about additional screening or preventative treatments alone will result in increased premiums or refusal of cover. However, it may alert the insurer to closely examine your personal medical and family history in order to be able to fully assess your application. Some insurers may also ask additional questions beyond those on the application form to gain as much detail as possible.

Any additional screening or preventative treatment that you undergo which is known to reduce the risk of a particular condition will be taken into account by the insurer in assessing your application and setting your premiums, which could result in a better outcome for you.
The insurer is obliged to justify any increased premiums or refusal of cover by demonstrating that there is an increased risk of you making a claim based on the facts collected at application.

Insurance companies must provide you, if asked, with written reasons for:

• any extra premiums they charge;
• reducing the insurance cover that is provided;
• refusing an insurance application;
• rejecting a claim; or
• cancelling a policy.

If you have been diagnosed with a genetic condition or you have a family history of a particular condition, all of these factors may already affect any insurance applications you make. In this context, any additional screening or testing you receive because of a genetic finding may not have any (further) negative impact and could even be used by insurers to reduce any surcharge you would otherwise pay.