At-home DNA testing has become incredibly common. Millions of people have mailed off saliva samples hoping to learn more about their ancestry, health risks, family history, athletic traits, or inherited conditions.
What once required specialized medical testing can now be purchased online and delivered to your doorstep in days. Neat, right?
However, as genetic testing becomes more accessible, many consumers are beginning to ask a more difficult question: Can genetic test results affect your insurance coverage?
At Terri Yurek Insurance, we help clients navigate exactly these kinds of questions. Here’s what you need to know.
This kind of concern became especially prevalent when one of the biggest at-home DNA test companies, 23andMe, announced its uncertain future in 2025. People worried about what would become of their genetic data and how it could be used against them in the future.
Ultimately, how your genetic test results may affect your insurance coverage depends on the type of insurance involved, how the information was obtained, and what laws apply in your state or country. If you’re concerned about how genetic testing could impact future coverage, speaking with a trusted insurance broker can help you better understand your options before applying for a policy.
While some protections exist, many people are surprised to learn that genetic information can still play a role in certain insurance decisions.
Genetic Testing Is Becoming More Common
Consumer DNA testing companies have expanded rapidly over the last decade. In fact, one in five Americans (21%) has now taken a consumer DNA test, but about 30% of Americans still voice privacy as a concern in their view of these tests (per YouGov’s 2025 research).
Some of these DNA testing companies focus on ancestry and genealogy, while others provide reports tied to:
- Inherited disease risks
- Cancer markers
- Heart disease predisposition
- Medication response
- Carrier screening
- Wellness and fitness traits
Meanwhile, healthcare providers increasingly use genetic testing in medical settings to help identify inherited conditions, guide treatment plans, and assess long-term health risks.
As more genetic data enters medical records and consumer databases, insurers and regulators are grappling with how that information should be used.
Health Insurance Protections Exist, But Are Limited
In the United States, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) provides certain protections related to health insurance and employment.
Under GINA, health insurers generally cannot:
- Use genetic information to deny coverage
- Raise premiums solely because of genetic test results
- Treat genetic predisposition as a preexisting condition
- Request genetic testing for underwriting purposes
This law was designed to prevent discrimination against people who may carry genes associated with future illnesses but who are currently healthy.
For example, someone with a genetic marker linked to breast cancer or Alzheimer’s disease generally cannot be denied traditional health insurance coverage solely because of that result.
However, many consumers misunderstand how broad these protections actually are. Additionally, GINA does not apply to every type of insurance.
Life Insurance May Be Different
Life insurance underwriting operates very differently from health insurance.
In many states, life insurance companies can legally ask applicants about:
- Family medical history
- Existing medical conditions
- Prior genetic testing
- Diagnoses connected to inherited diseases
Depending on the insurer and state regulations, genetic test results may influence:
- Eligibility
- Premium pricing
- Coverage limits
- Policy approval decisions
For example, if genetic testing reveals a significantly elevated risk for certain inherited diseases, insurers may view the applicant as presenting greater long-term financial risk.
This does not automatically mean coverage will be denied. However, it may affect underwriting outcomes.
The rules vary widely depending on:
- State law
- The type of policy
- Whether the testing was consumer-driven or medically ordered
- Whether the applicant disclosed the information
- The insurer’s underwriting practices
Some countries have adopted stronger restrictions on how life insurers may use genetic information. In the United States, protections remain more limited and inconsistent.
Disability and Long-Term Care Insurance Can Also Raise Questions
Disability insurance and long-term care insurance may involve additional underwriting scrutiny because these policies are directly tied to future health risks and long-term medical needs.
Insurers offering these products may review:
- Family medical history
- Existing diagnoses
- Predictive medical information
- Prior testing records
As genetic testing becomes more widespread, questions continue emerging about how insurers evaluate future risk projections tied to inherited conditions.
For consumers, this creates a complicated balancing act between obtaining useful medical insights and understanding the potential insurance implications. Exploring employee benefits that include disability coverage can be a smart step forward.
What About Travel Insurance?
Travel insurance presents another gray area when it comes to genetic testing for consumers.
Most travel insurance policies focus on:
- Current health conditions
- Preexisting conditions
- Trip cancellation risks
- Emergency medical concerns
Genetic predisposition alone may not directly impact travel insurance eligibility. However, if genetic testing leads to a formal diagnosis or documented medical condition, that diagnosis could potentially affect coverage decisions or exclusions.
For example:
- A known cardiac condition discovered through genetic testing could influence emergency medical coverage evaluations.
- A diagnosed inherited illness may trigger preexisting condition exclusions under certain policies.
- Ongoing monitoring or treatment tied to genetic findings may affect underwriting for more comprehensive international medical policies.
Again, the distinction between genetic risk and confirmed medical diagnosis becomes important.
Consumer DNA Test Privacy Concerns Are Growing
Beyond insurance underwriting, many consumers are increasingly concerned about where their genetic data goes after testing.
Depending on the company and user agreements involved, genetic information may potentially be:
- Stored indefinitely
- Shared with research partners
- Used in aggregated studies
- Accessed through legal requests
- Connected to broader health databases
While major testing companies often publish privacy policies and consent agreements, many consumers do not fully review how their information may be stored or shared.
Some experts recommend carefully considering:
- Whether results become part of medical records
- Who can access the information
- Whether data can be deleted later
- How third-party sharing is handled
- What privacy protections exist under applicable law
Once genetic data is generated and disclosed, controlling its future use can become far more difficult.
Genetic Information Is Powerful and Personal
Genetic testing can offer significant insights into health risks, inherited conditions, and preventative care opportunities. In some cases, it may help individuals make earlier medical decisions that improve long-term outcomes.
However, many people assume that genetic data receives blanket legal protection across all forms of insurance. That is not always the case.
Before undergoing genetic testing (especially tests tied to inherited disease risk), consumers may benefit from understanding how those results could intersect with future insurance applications and financial planning decisions.
Because once highly personal medical information enters the system, its impact may extend far beyond a single test result.
