If you’ve shopped for life insurance before, you’ve probably heard about life insurance medical exams. But does every plan require one – and is there any way to get out of it? The good news is that life insurance companies now offer options that allow you to qualify for a policy without a medical exam. However, in certain circumstances, you may want to undergo a medical exam to get the best rates. But what’s actually involved in an exam? Does every plan require one – and is there any way to get out of it?
Since life insurance companies are actually insuring your life, your health is one of the first things they’ll look at when reviewing your application. A medical exam helps insurance companies decide if you are eligible for a policy and what your rates will be. These exams are quick, free, and convenient, but taking one can make some people think twice about applying for life insurance. According to a recent LIMRA study, 47% of people are more likely to buy simplified life insurance, partly because there’s no medical exam required.
That’s why more companies are starting to use new methods to assess your health – no appointment necessary. At Fidelity Life, we offer several alternatives that don’t require customers to take the traditional medical exam. Whether you can’t stand needles or are worried that your health will prevent you from getting covered, here’s your guide to getting covered without saying “Ahhh.”
When you may not need a medical exam for life insurance
You may be able to avoid the life insurance medical exam in the following situations:
You’re in good health…
Unlike many insurance companies, which won’t make a decision about your eligibility until after your medical exam, Fidelity Life walks you through your application as soon as you apply. If you’re healthy, you may qualify for traditional term life or permanent life insurance from Fidelity Life without having to take a medical exam at all.
How is that possible? Simple. We were the first company to help qualified customers fast-track their applications with predictive analytics. Today, that means a quicker approval process that may allow you to skip the exam completely.
For our RAPIDecision® Life plans, qualified applicants can get approved in as little as one call, without having to wait weeks to schedule an exam. Some of our other policies, like final expense insurance and accidental death benefit insurance, also allow you to skip a medical exam.
You have health concerns and want a lower coverage amount
Less-than-perfect health doesn’t have to stop you from getting coverage. If you’re looking for a life insurance option that doesn’t require a medical exam, simplified or guaranteed issue life may work best for you. Simplified issue helps the life insurance approval process move faster – something two-thirds of Americans say they want during the buying process. Instead of a medical exam, you’ll be asked to fill out a short health survey and possibly submit your medical history.
With guaranteed issue, you don’t need to share your medical history and you can’t be refused coverage for health reasons. You may be asked questions about health conditions and lifestyle habits, but these questions will just help your carrier determine how much you should pay for your plan. These plans are more expensive than other types of life insurance, but can help you lock in the coverage you need if a traditional policy isn’t right for you. Learn more about simplified issue and guaranteed issue life insurance from Fidelity Life here.
When you may need to take a life insurance medical exam
There are certain situations where you may need to take a medical exam, regardless of your health status, including:
You want a higher coverage amount
If you’re looking for a significant amount of life insurance coverage, say a one million dollar life insurance policy or more, you’ll likely need to be in good health to qualify. Taking a medical exam to verify your health status means you may be eligible for a better rate than if you don’t do the health exam.
Your health status has changed
You may want to take a life insurance medical exam if your health has changed for the better. For example, if you’ve quit smoking, lost weight, or significantly improved your health since your policy was issued, you can request a new medical exam. If approved by your insurance company, the results of the new medical exam could qualify you for a better rate, saving you money over the life of the policy.
How to prepare if you need a medical exam
We make sure that taking a medical exam is a simple and convenient process. Fidelity Life believes taking a medical exam for life insurance should be simple and convenient. Once you’ve applied for a life insurance policy, a certified medical professional will come to the location of your choice for the exam, which takes about 30 minutes.
A medical exam usually includes:
- Measurements of height and weight
- Health questions
- Pulse and blood pressure readings
- Blood and urine samples
If you need to take any other tests, the paramed will let you know ahead of time. Our goal is to make sure all the information on your application is accurate, so you can get the best rates possible. After the exam, we’ll let you know your approval status and offer you a life insurance rate if you qualify.
Explore no medical exam life insurance with Fidelity Life
At Fidelity Life, we’re committed to making life insurance simple and affordable for everyday Americans. Whether you have questions about medical exams or want to learn about no-exam options, we’re here to help.
To learn more about Fidelity Life plans, give us a call or start your online quote today.
At Fidelity Life, our goal is to make life insurance simple, affordable, and understandable for everyday families. This content is intended for educational purposes only. Each post is carefully fact-checked, reviewed, and updated regularly to ensure the information is as relevant as possible.
