Life Insurance with No Medical Exam

Summary: Purchasing life insurance with no medical exam is a convenient and fast way to get the coverage you need and help protect your family's future. Getting a no-exam life insurance policy may be the right option if you're concerned about your health, are traveling, or are too busy to consider other options.

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Purchasing life insurance can give you peace of mind that your family can cover monthly expenses after your death. Having a life policy also allows you to leave a legacy if that's one of your financial goals.

What is no-exam life insurance?

Since your health can play a significant factor in how much you pay for life insurance, it typically requires a medical exam. In general, the better your health, the lower your risk to an insurer. However, some life insurers may not require a medical exam.

You may want no-health-exam life insurance if you're in excellent health but prefer a non-invasive or faster option. If you’re not in good health, you may worry about being denied or having a policy that's too expensive. No matter why you’re considering life insurance with no health exam, several types may meet your needs.

How no-exam life insurance works

Some no-exam policies require no underwriting and are guaranteed, while underwritten policies require detailed health information to evaluate your risk. With no-exam life insurance, insurers evaluate other data, such as your:

1Health questionnaire answers.

2Prescription history.

3Driving records. 

4Lifestyle information (such as smoking).

5Previous life insurance applications.

6Public records.

Some options don’t require a risk evaluation, such as our Guaranteed Whole Life product. When you apply, you're instantly approved if you meet the age requirement: 45-85 (50-75 in NY).

What’s involved with an insurance medical exam?

The purpose of a life insurance medical exam is to identify health conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and kidney problems. You're typically asked to fast for 8 to 12 hours beforehand, and the exam may take about 30 minutes. Be sure to answer medical questions to the best of your knowledge.

Options for no-exam life insurance

If you’re concerned that a medical exam could prevent you from getting insurance, other options include guaranteed whole life, simplified issue, higher coverage, and term life plans, each with its pros and cons. In addition, policy features such as graded benefit, accelerated issue, and purchasing a group plan through an employer offer benefits.

Guaranteed whole life insurance

Guaranteed whole life insurance, also called guaranteed issue, means you can always get coverage. It's typically available if you're in a specific age range, typically from 40 or 50 to 70 or 80.

However, guaranteed-issue policy amounts are modest, usually up to $25,000. In addition, premiums are usually higher because there’s no medical underwriting. Therefore, if you’re looking for quick coverage or a small amount to cover funeral expenses, it can be a good option.

These policies typically offer a graded death benefit, where the payout starts small and increases each year until it reaches the full amount. That means you must own the policy for several years to maximize the death benefit.

Simplified issue whole life insurance

Simplified issue whole life allows you to skip a medical exam and instead answer a series of health and lifestyle questions. The underwriting process is simplified because the insurer reviews only your questionnaire responses and medical history.

Higher coverage whole life insurance

Higher-coverage whole life insurance lets you skip a medical exam and get coverage quickly by completing a health questionnaire. However, unlike guaranteed issue insurance, you can be denied coverage based on your answers or other data, such as your prescription history. That makes it a good fit if you have moderate health conditions but are too healthy for a guaranteed policy.

Accelerated underwriting

Life insurance with accelerated underwriting typically gathers data about you from public sources, such as your driving and prescription history; therefore, it may be a good fit if you're in good health. Insurers may reach a quick decision and put together a plan within 24 hours.

Other options

Depending on your needs and work situation, there may be other options to purchase a no-exam life insurance policy.

Group plans

When an employer offers life insurance as an employee benefit, a health exam typically isn’t required. They may cover all or part of the plan's costs for their employees. It may be basic coverage equal to one to two years' worth of pay.

Term life plans

Term life insurance protects you for a specific period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years, known as the "term." If you die during the term, your beneficiaries receive the death benefit. If you outlive the term, the policy expires, and no benefit is paid.

Some term life policies offer accelerated underwriting, allowing you to skip a medical exam. Or term insurers may offer a simplified issue, where you must answer a health questionnaire to be approved.

Who should choose a no-exam life insurance?

If you're unsure who may be a good candidate for life insurance with no exam, consider how they benefit the following types of people.

Pros and cons of no medical exam life insurance

Some of the benefits of no-medical-exam life insurance include: 

1Not disrupting your schedule or travel plans.

2Not taking an invasive in-person medical exam.

3Not completing a lengthy medical history.

4Not getting denied based on your health.

5Getting coverage more quickly.

6Choosing from various plan options.

Some of the downsides of no-exam life coverage are: 

1Not getting enough death benefit.

2Having a waiting period before you can get insured.

3Paying higher premiums than for a policy requiring an exam.

Why choose United of Omaha’s no-exam life insurance?

When purchasing no-exam life insurance, choosing a reputable company, such as United of Omaha, helps protect your loved ones after your death. Here are several benefits that may make us your best fit.

Coverage amounts available

United of Omaha, a Mutual of Omaha company, offers no-exam term life insurance with coverage amounts that meet your needs.

Speed of approval and application process

If you need a quick approval, you can get a life insurance quote online or speak with a licensed agent or producer to discuss your needs. Learn more about United of Omaha's life insurance options.

Trusted for seniors and families

Mutual of Omaha is a trusted name in insurance with more than a century of experience. It offers dependable products for seniors and families, giving you peace of mind and helping you achieve essential financial goals.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How does term life compare to whole life insurance?

Term life insurance covers you for a period and doesn't accumulate a cash value. Whole life insurance provides permanent coverage and a cash value that accumulates over time.

Is it a good idea to get no-exam life insurance?

Life insurance with no medical exam may be a good choice, depending on your health, lifestyle, desired coverage amount, and goals. If you can complete a medical questionnaire and exam, you may qualify for higher coverage amounts and lower premiums.

How much life insurance do I need?

The amount of life insurance you need depends on your income, savings, assets, debt, goals, and the needs of any dependents. This calculator can help you estimate how much life insurance you may need.