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Editor’s note: Originally published in 2017. Fully updated in 2026 to reflect current Irish underwriting practice and how insurers now use PMARs and nurse medical screenings.
If you’ve been told your insurer is requesting a PMAR, your first thought is usually, “Is this bad?”
It isn’t.
But it can slow things down.
And depending on how the application was handled, it might not always have been necessary.
PMAR stands for Private Medical Attendant’s Report.
It’s a report your insurer asks your GP to complete.
They can only do this with your written consent.
It’s not the insurer snooping through your records.
It’s them asking your doctor for clarification on something you’ve disclosed in your application.
Usually, that means:
It’s a factual summary, not an assessment of your life choices.
Underwriters are trying to answer one question: how likely is a future claim if we offer cover?
If you answer “no” to all medical questions, you’ll usually get standard terms quickly because it is less risky for the insurer.
If you tick “yes” to something, they’ll want more detail.
Sometimes that’s handled with a condition-specific questionnaire.
Sometimes a nurse medical is enough.
And sometimes they’ll write to your GP for a PMAR.
It doesn’t mean you’re declined.
It means they want clarity before making a decision.
This is what most people actually want to know.
The honest answer is: sometimes yes. Sometimes no.
Often it depends how the application is handled.
A PMAR is very likely if:
In those cases, insurers will usually want a GP summary.
Trying to dodge that can waste more time than it saves.
A PMAR can often be avoided if:
Many insurers prefer questionnaires and nurse exams because they’re quicker and cheaper than waiting on a busy GP surgery.
Two people with identical medical histories can have completely different underwriting experiences because insurers assess risk differently.
One person could get cover based on an application form and questionnaire, while another insurer may insist on a PMAR.
That’s the part most people don’t realise.
Instead of writing to your GP for a PMAR, insurers will sometimes arrange a nurse medical.
This is usually quicker and more straightforward than waiting on a GP report.
A nurse medical has two parts.
First, the nurse will go through a short health questionnaire with you. This covers:
Second, they’ll carry out some basic measurements. The exact requirements depend on the insurer and the amount of cover you’re applying for, but typically this includes:
The urine sample is checked for things like blood, glucose or protein. If anything unusual shows up, it may be sent to a lab for further testing.
Sometimes blood tests are taken, too, but only if the insurer requests them.
It’s not a hospital-style medical. It’s a basic health screening, usually done at your home or workplace at a time that suits you.
For many straightforward conditions, a nurse medical can provide enough clarity for underwriting without needing to request a PMAR from your GP.
Not every insurer treats the same condition the same way.
Some insist on a PMAR for certain issues, while others are comfortable with a questionnaire.
If you apply to the strictest insurer first and they request a PMAR, you’re not stuck, you can try another insurer.
But you’ve wasted time, which is why it’s better to approach the most suitable insurer first time.
Typically 2 to 4 weeks.
GP surgeries are busy treating patients.
Insurance reports are rarely top of the pile.
If a PMAR has been requested, it’s worth contacting your surgery to confirm they’ve received it and are working on it.
You wouldn’t believe how many times the insurer sends the PMA request to the GP, only for it to somehow disappear along the way.
The request itself doesn’t increase your premium.
The medical information inside it might.
Sometimes it confirms you’re fine and you get standard rates.
Sometimes it results in a loading or a specific exclusion.
Other times, it confirms something is more stable than what underwriting expected.
It cuts both ways.
If you’re applying for cover and you have medical history:
If you’ve already been told a PMAR is required, it may still be worth reviewing whether the chosen insurer is the best fit for your medical profile.
Because the quickest route isn’t chasing a report.
It’s choosing the right insurer from the start.
A PMAR isn’t a disaster.
It’s part of underwriting.
Sometimes it can be avoided.
If you’ve been told a PMAR is required and you’re not sure whether that was inevitable, you can complete our medical questionnaire and we’ll review it properly.
Or call me directly on 05793 20836 and we’ll talk it through.
Written by Nick McGowan, QFA RPA APA
Nick is a qualified financial advisor and founder of Lion.ie, a multi-agency Irish life insurance and income protection brokerage based in Tullamore.
He’s been helping people secure fair, transparent cover for over 15 years and was named Protection Broker of the Year 2022.
If you’d like straight answers without the sales pitch, learn more about Nick here.
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