NEW rules clarifying the information that has to be disclosed when applying for insurance are expected to reduce disputes over rejected claims. Under the Consumer Insurance (Disclosure and Representations) Act, which came into force earlier this month, the duty to volunteer “material facts” when applying for insurance has been removed from the individual. Consumers must now merely take “reasonable care” to respond accurately to the insurer’s questions. The onus instead is on insurers to ask customers for all the specific information they need at the point of sale, rather than rely on people to volunteer facts they may otherwise withhold, either intentionally or without realising they are relevant. The aim is to strengthen consumer protection and drive down the number of insurance claims being rejected for non-disclosure. The rules apply to all personal insurance contracts, including life cover, income protection, critical illness, pension annuities and home, car and travel insurance.