Ban on the use of adverse genetic tests in life insurance – draft regulations

Give feedback on draft regulations to support the ban on the use of adverse genetic test results in life insurance.

The ban comes into effect on 8 October 2026. It stops insurers requesting or using the results when underwriting life insurance policies.

There is an exception where both:

• the policyholder (or their authorised agent or medical practitioner) volunteers the test

• using it improves the policyholder's or beneficiary's outcomes.

The draft regulations:

• clarify how the ban applies to certain genetic predispositions

• make the strict liability offence and civil penalty provisions subject to the infringement notice scheme under the Insurance Contracts Act 1984.