I've had little trouble. When my policy was due for renewal (every 10 years) last year, I wanted to make some changes. So with my agents advice we went through 'underwriting' on a new policy. There were some additional questions regarding diving (I don't recall for sure, but it might have been a separate form). They included certification level and max depth I've done. Also had to have some blood tests done, blod pressure checked, weighed. The company accepted it and I'm actually paying a lower rate now, than if I had just taken the renewal. According to the agent that's because they were able to determine my actual physical condition, rather than guessing based on my condition 10 years ago and age. We proceeded cautiously though. We started the paperwork on the new policy 3 months before the renewal. That way, if they declined the new policy, I could just renew the existing one as it had guaranteed renewal till age 70.
If it's any help to anyone out there, the policy is held my Maritime Life. They also treated me well 15 years ago, when I was injured and unable to work for a while. I had to make payments for the first 90 days after I was off work, but once that period had passed, they waived further payments till I was recoverd and sent me a refund cheque for the 3 payments I made while I was off.
I did run into problems when we tried to re-arrange our mortgage insurance over diving (didn't get declined, just gave up in fustration. although I think half of it was the agent). You have to watch banks mortgage insurance, they don't do 'underwriting' when you sign and start paying, they only do it if something happens. And if they decide you were a higher risk than they expected, they'll refuse to pay, which leaves you to fight with them.
