Do I have to disclose a genetic test to an insurer?
In short
Do I have to disclose a genetic test to an insurer? In Germany, usually not. Under section 18 of the Genetic Diagnostics Act (GenDG), insurers may neither ask for nor use results of earlier genetic tests. The exception: life, occupational disability, earning incapacity and care annuity cover above EUR 300,000 or above EUR 30,000 annual pension. Illnesses must always be disclosed when asked.
Below the legal limits, a genetic test does not change your premium. Known illnesses, however, can lead to loadings.
Example
Typical range
Term life, age 30, non-smoker, EUR 200,000, 30 years
about EUR 9 to 16 a month
Disability cover on standard terms, age 30, office job
around EUR 70 a month
Loading for a declared spinal condition
about 25 to 75 percent on the standard premium
Limit for disability pensions without genetic questions
up to EUR 30,000 a year, so EUR 2,500 a month
Guide values, October 2026, from published examples.
The sums in the worked example are guide values from broker practice.
Worked example
Healthy woman with a higher risk in a genetic test
A 35-year-old had a genetic test showing a higher cancer risk but is healthy. She applies for term life cover and a disability pension.
Term life cover of EUR 250,000
do not disclose the test
Disability pension of EUR 2,000 a month
EUR 24,000 a year, do not disclose the test
Term life cover of EUR 400,000
insurer may ask about earlier results
Preventive operation in the past
disclose if the form asks about operations
Below the limits, the test result stays private. She only has to answer the questions on illnesses and treatments truthfully.
What German law forbids insurers to do
Section 18 of the Genetic Diagnostics Act contains two bans. No insurer may require you to take a genetic test, either before or after the contract is concluded. And it may not ask for, accept or use results from a genetic test you already had.
It does not matter who arranged the genetic test. Even if you send in a favourable result voluntarily, the insurer may not take it into account.
The exception above EUR 300,000
For life, occupational disability (Berufsunfähigkeit), earning incapacity and care annuity insurance, the second ban does not apply if more than EUR 300,000 in benefits or more than EUR 30,000 a year in pension is agreed. Then the insurer may ask about earlier genetic test results.
Even then it may not demand a new genetic test. And you only have to disclose the test if the application asks about it expressly in text form (section 19 VVG).
Insurance
Disclose genetic test result?
Private health, dental or top-up health insurance
no
Private accident insurance
no
Term life insurance up to EUR 300,000
no
Term life insurance above EUR 300,000
only if expressly asked
Disability pension up to EUR 2,500 a month (EUR 30,000 a year)
no
Disability pension above EUR 2,500 a month
only if expressly asked
Taking a new genetic test
may never be demanded
Illnesses still have to be disclosed
The law protects the result of a genetic test, not your medical history. Previous and current illnesses must still be disclosed under section 18 (2) if the insurer asks about them. The normal rules on the duty of disclosure apply.
So if the application asks about treatments or operations, they belong on the form, even if a genetic test was the reason. Below the limits, you do not have to mention the genetic test itself or its result.
If an application still asks about genetic tests
If an application for private health insurance or a small term life policy asks about genetic tests, that breaches section 18 GenDG. You do not have to answer the question.
Leave it blank and point out the ban in writing. If that does not help, you can contact the insurance ombudsman (Versicherungsombudsmann) free of charge.
When a genetic test matters for your cover
A genetic test showing a higher risk does not have to stop you from taking out cover. If your term life and disability pension stay below the legal limits, the insurer may not know the result. For larger sums it may ask, and then you must answer truthfully.
When you do not need to worry
For health, dental, accident, liability or contents insurance, a genetic test never plays a role. A term life policy of EUR 200,000 to protect your family is also below the EUR 300,000 limit.
Help with your application
Norman Nammert works as an insurance broker (Versicherungsmakler) and can check whether your policies and applications respect the limits of the Genetic Diagnostics Act, and can make anonymous risk enquiries in advance. The commission is paid by the insurer, so the advice is free for you.
Step by step
Compare the sum insured and pension with the limits of EUR 300,000 and EUR 30,000 a year.
Read the application carefully: does it expressly ask about genetic tests?
Answer questions on illnesses, treatments and operations completely.
Leave an unlawful genetic test question blank and refer to section 18 GenDG in writing.
Keep a copy of the completed application.
Checklist
Type of insurance clear
Sum below EUR 300,000 or pension below EUR 30,000 a year
Health questions answered fully
No genetic test result sent voluntarily
Copy of the application filed
Common mistakes
Sending a genetic test result to the insurer without being asked
Hiding treatments because a genetic test was the reason
Going without cover out of fear of the genetic test
Answering an express genetic test question wrongly for large sums
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Can an insurer demand a genetic test?
No, never.
The ban on demanding a new genetic test applies to all insurance and has no exception.
Does the ban apply to private health insurance?
Yes.
The exception above EUR 300,000 only concerns life, occupational disability,
earning incapacity and care annuity insurance.
What if I share the result voluntarily?
Below the limits, the insurer may neither accept nor use it, not even in your favour.
Do I have to disclose an illness found through a genetic test?
Yes, if the application asks about illnesses.
The test result is protected, a diagnosed illness is not.
Can the insurer cancel later because I did not mention a genetic test?
Not below the limits, because you did not have to mention it.
What matters is that you answered all questions about illnesses correctly.
How high can a disability pension be without genetic questions?
Up to EUR 30,000 a year, so EUR 2,500 a month.
Only above that may the insurer ask about earlier results.
