Genetic Testing and Life Insurance

Release Date: 01/11/2017
Staff Reference: Brent Mizzen

Our Industry’s Commitment to Canadians

Canada's life and health insurers are sensitive to the concerns of Canadians about the use of genetic testing information and commits to:

Never ask a person applying for life insurance to take a genetic test.
Not ask for, or use, genetic testing information for applications for life insurance of $250,000 or less, effective January 1, 2018.

If a person is applying for more than $250,000 in life insurance coverage, the insurer:

May ask for and use genetic testing information for tests that have already been done;
Will not ask for the results of a genetic test if a test was done for medical research purposes and the person applying and his/her doctor are not aware of the results; and
Will not require genetic testing information of anyone (e.g., family members) other than the applicant.

Further information on the industry’s commitments can be found in the Industry Code.

Canada’s life and health insurers are committed to helping Canadians protect themselves and their loved ones against the financial impacts of
unexpected events, while continuing to ensure that all Canadians can access life insurance at fair and reasonable prices.

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