No exam life insurance skips the doctor visit and blood test. The insurer uses your answers and outside data to decide.
Who it fits
People who want coverage fast or do not want a medical exam.
- Who buys it
- Most ages
- Medical exam
- Usually noDepends on age, amount and company
- Coverage amounts
- Most accelerated underwriting programs limit how much coverage you can get without an exam. Limits vary by company.
- Ages
- Many applicants through age 55 or 60 can be approved without an exam using outside data, per a 2016 NAIC presentation.
What to know before you buy
Accelerated underwriting can cut the process from weeks to hours.
Insurers may use prescription history, credit reports, motor vehicle records, and the Medical Information Bureau.
Simplified issue skips the exam but usually has higher premiums.
If the data is not enough, you may be sent to the regular process with an exam.
Some no exam senior plans pay only premiums back in the first 2 or 3 years.
Common questions
Is no exam coverage more expensive?
Simplified issue usually costs more. Accelerated underwriting is often priced close to policies with an exam.
What do insurers check?
Your application, plus records like prescription history, credit, driving record, and the Medical Information Bureau.
Can I be turned down?
Yes, or you may be asked to take an exam if the data is not enough.
