Guide to healthcare underwriting

With the Esprithealth range there are three ways of applying for cover. They are similar in that they allow cover for unexpected medical conditions that arise after you join, but not for any pre-existing conditions.

Signing this agreement on your application form means you do not have to complete a health questionnaire when applying for cover. We will automatically exclude cover for any conditions that have existed over the past five years. We may cover pre-existing conditions in the future if you remain free from any symptoms, treatment, medication or advice for that condition for two consecutive years after you join. This is known as the Moratorium.

We will confirm whether the condition is covered at the time of your claim, but before you incur any costs. It is important to contact us for pre-authorisation as any costs incurred will be your responsibility if your claim is ineligible.

Alternatively, you can complete the health questionnaire on your application form. After reviewing your completed questionnaire we'll let you know at the outset the basis on which we can offer you cover, listing any pre-existing conditions you may have that would not be covered by your policy. If necessary we may ask your doctor for further information.

It is important that you give us full and accurate information. It's best to tell us everything about your medical history at the start - no matter how minor it may seem, to make sure that your policy provides valid cover.

If you are already insured with another provider you can apply using the switch application form. You will need to answer three questions about your medical history. If you can answer 'no' to these questions, then we will switch you without your needing any new underwriting or new terms. Even if you can't answer 'no' to both questions we may be able to offer alternative terms that are attractive to you, so you lose nothing by applying.

On top of that, when you switch to a plan in the Esprithealth range, we will also apply a no-claims discount that reflects your own claims history. This means that even if your low claims history has been built up with another insurer, we will still reward you for it.