People with pre-existing health conditions frequently have difficulty obtaining a life insurance policy. Many medical conditions, including diabetes, do not, however, automatically disqualify a person from receiving insurance coverage. No medical exam life insurance allows you to apply for coverage without having to undergo a physical examination.
This can make it a faster and more convenient option than traditional life insurance policies, which typically require medical examinations and lab tests. No-exam policies, including whole-life policies, can provide either term life or permanent coverage, but they have some limitations.
Continue reading to learn more about no-exam life insurance and whether it’s right for you.
No medical exam life insurance definition
As the name implies, no-exam life insurance avoids the medical examination usually required to obtain standard life insurance. The exam is a procedure used to identify pre-existing conditions and potential health risks.
However, just because you don’t have to have an exam doesn’t mean the insurer won’t inquire about your health. Depending on the type of no-exam life insurance policy you select, the insurer may still ask medical questions or request access to specific health records.
Despite the possibility of such requests, no medical exam life insurance coverage can be a good option for people who have medical conditions that make them ineligible for standard policies. It’s also worthwhile for those who want to avoid doctor visits or who don’t want to wait for the lengthy risk-assessment process known as underwriting to be completed.
The traditional life insurance application process can take up to several weeks, during which the insurer waits for and then evaluates the exam results. Requests for follow-up tests may occur at times. On the other hand, no medical exam life insurance providers might be able to approve you in as little as a day.
Why get Life insurance with no health questions, no waiting period
The benefits of getting no exam insurance are:
- Life insurance can be obtained quickly, sometimes within a day.
- No medical exams are required, though some insurers may require you to complete a medical questionnaire.
- Applicants with chronic health conditions who would fail a standard medical exam are eligible.
- Available to applicants over the age of 60 who may be unable to obtain a conventional policy.
How does no exam life insurance work?
Traditional life insurance providers require medical underwriting. Typically, the process necessitates the disclosure of your weight, height, and blood pressure, as well as other details about your lifestyle and medical history. You may be required to provide blood and urine samples as well.
Insurers offering no-exam life insurance waive the medical exam entirely, though some may still ask you to complete a questionnaire about your family history and lifestyle.
However, while no-exam policies have their advantages, they also have significant disadvantages. Because insurers take a greater risk by insuring you without a medical exam, premiums will be much higher, and coverage limits will be much lower than traditional policies.
No-exam life insurance coverage
No-exam life insurance policies typically only protect natural causes of death. Some insurers may provide optional riders, such as an accidental death benefit. An accidental death rider protects your beneficiaries financially if you die in a car accident, drowning, poisoning, or other accident.
No-exam life insurance requirement
The eligibility criteria for no-medical-exam life insurance policies vary depending on the provider. Maximum age limits, for example, vary, as does whether a terminal disease diagnosis disqualifies you from applying.
Underwriters rely on your medical records to determine your eligibility if you skip the medical exam.
They will also look for information through With your permission, they will look for information through:
A survey form: Questions about your current health and smoking status and your family’s medical history may be asked.
Databases: Underwriters may obtain information about your prescription history as well as the results of previous life insurance health exams from databases.
Driving Records: Insurers will typically look into your speeding tickets and at-fault accidents. A history of reckless driving may result in higher premiums.
Your physician: Underwriters may request a health statement from your primary care physician.
No exam life insurance rates
The cost of life insurance without a medical exam varies depending on your age, the amount of coverage you want, whether you choose a term or permanent policy, and the answers you provide on the medical questionnaire.
Keep in mind that because premiums for no-exam life insurance are typically higher than for standard policies, it may not be the best option if you qualify for standard policies.
No exam life insurance for seniors
No exam life insurance for seniors may be especially appealing if you have a serious medical condition, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, that you are concerned may jeopardize your ability to qualify for a traditional life insurance policy. If the thought of a medical exam makes you cringe, no-exam life insurance may be an appealing option.
Such coverage may also be a good option if your age precludes you from obtaining affordable traditional life insurance. Age is one of the most important factors in determining how much traditional life insurance costs. To put it another way, the older you are, the more expensive traditional life insurance is likely to be.
You may also like to read BRITISH SENIOR LIFE INSURANCE REVIEWS (UPDATED).
No exam life insurance for smokers
Smokers are well aware that their habit is hazardous to their health. Quitting smoking is difficult and often requires several attempts over a long period of time if the person wishes to stop. If you want to pay low rates, no exam life insurance for smokers can be an even more difficult hurdle.
Unfortunately, smoking is responsible for approximately 500,000 deaths each year. If you smoke regularly, life insurance can be a valuable way to provide for your family in the event of an untimely death, but you should expect to pay a higher premium than non-smokers.
Smokers’ life insurance rates are typically more than double those of non-smokers. Currently, no life insurance company offers no medical exam life insurance to smokers and rates smokers the same as non-smokers. Shop around to find the best rates and policies for your specific needs.
No exam life insurance for diabetics
A no-exam insurance for diabetics does not require an applicant to undergo a medical exam to qualify for coverage. This means there will be no need to submit a blood and urine sample or meet with a paramedic as part of the application process.
In addition to providing a way for diabetics and others with health issues that may preclude them from obtaining traditionally underwritten life insurance, no medical exam coverage can also provide a way for those who participate in dangerous hobbies, as well as those who have a fear of needles and would prefer not to provide a blood sample, to purchase life insurance.
No exam life insurance for cancer patients
If you have a serious health condition that would otherwise prevent you from obtaining a standard policy, a life insurance policy that does not require a medical exam is a good option. Even if the underwriter assigns you a higher risk category or table rating, the premiums for a standard term or permanent policy will almost certainly be lower than those for a simplified-issue or guaranteed-issue policy.
Failure to properly manage a serious illness is a common reason for being denied life insurance.
However, many insurers will still approve your application if you have a previous cancer diagnosis that responded to treatment.
Even if you have a pre-existing condition or are in poor health, you can almost always qualify for guaranteed-issue insurance.
Conclusion
If you’re older, have chronic health conditions like cancer or diabetes, need a policy quickly, or simply prefer to avoid lab tests, no-exam life insurance may be worth considering.
However, there are some critical considerations to bear in mind. Because insurers are taking a risk by not requiring a thorough medical examination, premiums for guaranteed and simplified issue policies may be higher than for traditional policies. These policies can cost twice as much as fully underwritten policies.
FAQs about No Medical Exam Life Insurance
Insurers offering no-exam life insurance waive the medical exam entirely, though some may still ask you to complete a questionnaire about your family history and lifestyle.
No-exam life insurance, as the name implies, avoids the medical examination that is usually required to obtain standard life insurance.
Currently, no life insurance company offers no medical exam life insurance to smokers and rates smokers the same as non-smokers.
If you have a serious health condition that would otherwise prevent you from obtaining a standard policy, a life insurance policy that does not require a medical exam is a good option