Not telling the truth on insurance application forms is widespread, the insurer has pointed out.
Some Britons are routinely lying about their weight when they apply for insurance - potentially leaving themselves out of pocket in the future.
According to new figures from insurer Axa, around one in 14 people have deliberately misled their cover provider before. Included in this total is the one in ten insured women who have not told the truth about their weight, and the one in twenty who have not disclosed the fact that they suffer from depression.
All insurance is predicated on risk, which means that the people who the provider believes are more likely to make a claim will be charged higher for their cover. Therefore, as overweight and depressed people statistically less likely to enjoy good health, many believe that they will be forced to pay higher insurance premiums.
People found not to be honest on their applications when they make a claim, moreover, can have their money withheld due to their "non-disclosure" of information.
However Iain Mallon, head of protection at AXA, claimed that this was not necessarily the case. "Most people quite rightly assume that insurance premiums are based on medical history and certain lifestyle elements," he said. "What people wrongly assume is that these normal behaviours and typical medical conditions are based on that of a perfect person, one with a healthy lifestyle and no medical problems at all."
He added: "Insurers are not looking for reasons not to pay out. Our business is designed to support people not constrain claims. However, quite simply if your insurer finds out you have deliberately not disclosed relevant information, they may not be obliged to pay out the full amount."
