CI: Possible health risks from mobile phone usage could be considered in claims
Mobile phones and the possible health risks they pose were put under the microscope at the Association of British Insurers' (ABI) critical illness (CI) working party's latest meeting, provoking speculation that the insurance industry may soon include questions regarding mobile phone usage when underwriting CI policies.
Nick Kirwan, chairman of the ABI CI working party, revealed that the effect mobile phones may have on an individual's health was noted by party members when they met to discuss changes to the current ABI CI definitions.
"The risk matrix for critical illness we were examining included a lifestyle issue regarding using mobile phones. While we really do not know what the long-term effect of the use of mobile phones will be on claims for benign brain tumour under critical illness policies, we concluded that this is definitely a point to note," he said.
Despite growing concerns about the effect mobile phones can have on health, Kirwan slammed the theory that this may prompt insurers to ask questions regarding mobile phone usage.
"I do not think the industry will ever see insurers asking to see a copy of someone's mobile phone bill as part of the underwriting process," he said.
However, protection advisers have said that they would not rule out this development taking place some time in the future.
"There may come a time when advisers will have to ask these types of questions," said Peter Chadborn, IFA at Chadborn Baker & Kearle. However, Chadborn added that there has to be a lot more evidence before mobile phone usage impacts on the CI underwriting process. "If it ever were to happen it would be a long, long way off," he said.
Agreeing, Jason King, managing director at Life Policies Direct, said: "I do not think any changes will be made until at least the next critical illness definitions review in three years' time."
A recent Government-backed study, looking at risks associated with mobile phones, said that while there is still no evidence mobile phones are unsafe, precautionary steps should be taken. Author of the report, Sir William Stewart, also warned that children should only use mobile phones when absolutely necessary because of the potential health risks.
Another study conducted by Sweden's Karolinska Institute in 2004, suggested that using a mobile phone for 10 years or more quadruples the risk of developing ear tumours.
