Life Insurance Health Questionnaire
Swiss life insurance health questionnaire covering medical history, current medications, hospitalisations, lifestyle factors (smoking, BMI), and family medical history. Compliant with Swiss VVG and nFADP for sensitive health data.
A life insurance health questionnaire is the rare form where an incomplete answer can void the contract years later. Swiss law limits what an insurer may ask, and it also gives the insurer a remedy when a material fact was left out — which makes accuracy here a protection for the applicant, not a concession to the underwriter.
What the insurer may ask, and what happens if something is left out
Under VVG Art. 4-6, insurers may only ask questions about facts that are objectively material to the risk assessment and that are posed in clear, unambiguous written form. Genetic test results are generally prohibited as a basis for underwriting decisions under the Swiss Human Genetic Testing Act (GUMG).
If the insurer discovers a material undisclosed health condition within the statutory period, it may rescind the contract under VVG Art. 6. For good-faith non-disclosure (the applicant was unaware of the condition), the insurer may adjust the premium or add an exclusion clause. Full rescission requires proof of bad faith or gross negligence.
What the form collects
- Applicant identity and contact details
- Height and weight (BMI calculation)
- Tobacco and substance use
- Existing medical diagnoses and chronic conditions
- Current prescription medications
- Hospitalisations and surgical history (last 10 years)
- Mental health history
- Family medical history (hereditary conditions)
- Occupational and leisure risk factors
- Applicant declaration and signature
Which policies need a health questionnaire
In Switzerland, term life insurance (Risikolebensversicherung), whole life insurance, disability insurance (Erwerbsunfahigkeitsversicherung), critical illness cover, and supplementary hospitalisation insurance all typically require health underwriting. Group life insurance through the Pensionskasse generally does not require individual health assessment for employees within the standard insured amounts.
Health data under the nFADP
Health data is classified as sensitive personal data under the Swiss nFADP (Art. 5 lit. c). Its processing requires either explicit consent, a statutory basis, or an overriding private or public interest. Insurers must provide a clear privacy notice, store health data with enhanced security measures, and grant applicants access and correction rights.
Common exclusions
Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions that were undisclosed at application, self-inflicted injuries (within the statutory exclusion period), war or active military service, and extreme sports. Insurers may also add individual exclusions for specific disclosed conditions rather than declining the application entirely.
The legal frame
Life insurance in Switzerland is governed by the Insurance Contract Act (VVG, revised in 2022) and supervised by FINMA. Health underwriting involves collection of special category personal data under both the nFADP and, for internationally operating insurers, GDPR Art. 9.
Collecting a declaration
Use this template
Copy it into your dashboard — the medical history, lifestyle and declaration sections are already structured.
Customise for your products
Adjust question scope based on the specific life products offered (term life, whole life, disability, critical illness).
Integrate into your application flow
Embed the form link in your online application portal or share it with applicants ahead of the advisory meeting.
Route to underwriting
Connect completed submissions to your underwriting team via webhook or export, maintaining nFADP-compliant data handling.
Questions applicants ask
Can I be refused life insurance in Switzerland due to health reasons?
Yes. Unlike basic health insurance (KVG), where acceptance is mandatory, life and supplementary insurance providers can decline applications based on health risk. However, they must apply the VVG principle of proportionality.
Do I need to update the health declaration after the policy is issued?
In general, once a life insurance policy is issued, the insured is not required to notify the insurer of subsequent health changes. The risk is locked in at the time of application.
Is a medical examination required for Swiss life insurance?
For smaller policy amounts (typically up to CHF 500,000 for death benefit), a health questionnaire alone usually suffices. For larger amounts, the insurer may require a medical examination, blood tests, or specialist reports.