Disclosure by design: How insurers can close the GLP-1 disclosure gap with behavioural science

Overview:

Amidst the dramatic increase in the use of GLP-1 weight loss medications, societal health outcomes may change significantly, with Swiss Re modelling forecasting a potential reduction in cumulative all-cause mortality of 4% in the US and 3.2% in the UK by 2045¹. As the use of weight loss medications accelerates, insurers face growing challenges in understanding applicants’ true risk profiles.

Swiss Re’s Behavioural Research Unit conducted a large-scale study across the US and UK to uncover why many applicants fail to disclose their use of these medications and how behavioural science can address this gap. Findings show that non-disclosure is often due to a lack of clarity and opportunity rather than intent, and that a behaviourally informed question design can make disclosure up to three times more likely.

Together, these insights offer insurers practical, evidence-based ways to improve underwriting accuracy, strengthen data foundations and prepare for emerging shifts in metabolic health risk.

Key takeaways of the publication:

• Non-disclosure of weight loss medication use in underwriting is widespread: 72% of users did not report their use of weight loss medications when prompted by a standard medical history question.
• The main barriers to disclosure stem from applicants not recognising the need to report their medication use. The findings highlighted key cognitive barriers to disclosure such as lack of awareness and perceived irrelevance, rather than non-disclosure due to deliberate concealment.
• Behaviourally informed question design increased disclosure threefold compared to the standard format and significantly increased willingness to disclose medication use.
• Capturing accurate disclosures of GLP-1 medication use provides insurers with stronger data foundations to refine assumptions, improve risk stratification and strengthen portfolio resilience.

Swiss Re has over 10 years of experience in applying behavioural research across the insurance value chain. Our research insights endeavour to support our clients and the industry in addressing key behavioural challenges. If you are interested in finding out more, please reach out to the contacts below.