Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance
This is an agreement between the government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) on the use of genetic test results in underwriting insurance policies.
- From:
- Department of Health and Social Care
- Published
- 23 October 2018
- Last updated
-
1319DecemberMarch20222026 — See all updates
Documents
Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance
PDF, 199337 KB, 1819 pages
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Details
Update March 2026
Following the publication of the 3-year review 2025, we are adding additional wording to the question: ‘What is the process for changing the list of relevant predictive genetic tests in Appendix I?’ on page 13.
To add further conditions to the list of conditions for which predictive genetic test results may need to be disclosed under the code, relevant research and ethical considerations will need to be included as part of the review of any application. See page 1 of the PDF for full details.
Updates to provide the code in an accessible format will be made in due course.
All members of the ABI are signed up to the Code,code, and insurance companies who are not members can also sign up.
The Codecode commits insurance companies to:
- treat applicants fairly and not require or pressure any applicant to undertake a predictive or diagnostic genetic test
- not ask for, or take into account the result of a predictive genetic test, except when the life insurance is over £500,000 and the applicant has had a predictive genetic test for Huntington’s Disease
- not ask for, or take into account, the result of any predictive genetic test obtained through scientific research
The Codecode replaces the concordat and moratorium on genetics and insurance. It will be reviewed every 3 years.
ReadAlso, thesee the:
For morefurther information see the FAQs on the ABI website.
Updates to this page
Published 23 October 2018
Last updated 1319 DecemberMarch 2022
+ show2026
href="#full-history">+ show all updates
-
Update history
2026-03-19 14:18
Additional text has been added on page 13 under ‘What is the process for changing the list of relevant predictive genetic tests in Appendix I?. Details are in a box at the top of the page and in the PDF.
2022-12-13 13:11
Added a link to the ‘Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance: 3-year review 2022’.
Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance
PDF, 199337 KB, 1819 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@dhsc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
PDF, 199337 KB, 1819 pages
This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.
Request an accessible format.
Details
Update March 2026
Following the publication of the 3-year review 2025, we are adding additional wording to the question: ‘What is the process for changing the list of relevant predictive genetic tests in Appendix I?’ on page 13.
To add further conditions to the list of conditions for which predictive genetic test results may need to be disclosed under the code, relevant research and ethical considerations will need to be included as part of the review of any application. See page 1 of the PDF for full details.
Updates to provide the code in an accessible format will be made in due course.
All members of the ABI are signed up to the Code,code, and insurance companies who are not members can also sign up.
The Codecode commits insurance companies to:
- treat applicants fairly and not require or pressure any applicant to undertake a predictive or diagnostic genetic test
- not ask for, or take into account the result of a predictive genetic test, except when the life insurance is over £500,000 and the applicant has had a predictive genetic test for Huntington’s Disease
- not ask for, or take into account, the result of any predictive genetic test obtained through scientific research
The Codecode replaces the concordat and moratorium on genetics and insurance. It will be reviewed every 3 years.
ReadAlso, thesee the:
For morefurther information see the FAQs on the ABI website.
Updates to this page
Published 23 October 2018
Last updated 1319 DecemberMarch 2022
+ show2026
href="#full-history">+ show all updates
-
Update history
2026-03-19 14:18
Additional text has been added on page 13 under ‘What is the process for changing the list of relevant predictive genetic tests in Appendix I?. Details are in a box at the top of the page and in the PDF.
2022-12-13 13:11
Added a link to the ‘Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance: 3-year review 2022’.
Details
Update March 2026
Following the publication of the 3-year review 2025, we are adding additional wording to the question: ‘What is the process for changing the list of relevant predictive genetic tests in Appendix I?’ on page 13.
To add further conditions to the list of conditions for which predictive genetic test results may need to be disclosed under the code, relevant research and ethical considerations will need to be included as part of the review of any application. See page 1 of the PDF for full details.
Updates to provide the code in an accessible format will be made in due course.
All members of the ABI are signed up to the Code,code, and insurance companies who are not members can also sign up.
The Codecode commits insurance companies to:
- treat applicants fairly and not require or pressure any applicant to undertake a predictive or diagnostic genetic test
- not ask for, or take into account the result of a predictive genetic test, except when the life insurance is over £500,000 and the applicant has had a predictive genetic test for Huntington’s Disease
- not ask for, or take into account, the result of any predictive genetic test obtained through scientific research
The Codecode replaces the concordat and moratorium on genetics and insurance. It will be reviewed every 3 years.
ReadAlso, thesee the:
For morefurther information see the FAQs on the ABI website.
Updates to this page
Update history
2026-03-19 14:18
Additional text has been added on page 13 under ‘What is the process for changing the list of relevant predictive genetic tests in Appendix I?. Details are in a box at the top of the page and in the PDF.
2022-12-13 13:11
Added a link to the ‘Code on Genetic Testing and Insurance: 3-year review 2022’.