The ABI reveals plans for information campaign on genetic testing and insurance at round table discussion
Information leaflets outlining the insurance implications of taking genetic tests are to be distributed by the Association of British insurers (ABI) to doctors surgeries and genetic testing centres.
The ABI's initiative was revealed at a round table discussion on genetic testing and insurance, chaired by the Centre for the Study of Financial Innovation. According to Patrick Mahon, a member of the health team at the ABI, the leaflet is designed to tell people the facts behind the much publicised issue.
Speaking at the round table, Mahon said: 'We are producing a leaflet to inform people about the insurance implications of getting a genetic test so they can see the reality of their position, rather than the hype created by the media.'
At present, there is a five-year moratorium in place, meaning consumers can obtain up to £500,000 of life cover and £300,000 of other insurance without having to disclose any genetic test results. Insurers are unable to force customers to take genetic tests before they are granted insurance. However, if customers have already taken a test and the amount of cover is above the moratorium level, insurers may demand to know the results before granting cover.
Mahon said it was important consumers understood that insurers had no intention of pushing the Government into allowing them to ask people to take genetic tests before they are offered cover. Instead, the issue lies with disclosing information if a test has already been taken.
Also present at the round table discussion was Julie Hopkins, chief underwriter for Hannover Re. She said the risk of non-disclosure could create adverse selection ' pushing premiums up.
'We are concerned this may create an insurance underclass due to adverse selection, as people will be allowed to withhold information,' she said.
Mahon added that more debate on the issue needed to take place: 'The purpose of the moratorium is not to sit back and think the issues will go away, it is to have a decent policy debate. We need a public debate to work out what kind of system we want. There are a number of different things insurers need to do over the next five years so they can agree on a long-term way forward.'
Mick McAteer, spokesperson for the Consumers' Association, agreed more discussion was needed by a wider audience to find out whether the use of genetic information could have a negative effect on consumers.
'We are not having a public policy debate at a high enough level. The reality is consumers could be either denied insurance altogether or priced out of the market,' he said.
The ABI was unable to disclose when the information leaflets on genetics and insurance will be distributed.
