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What to Expect from Your Life Insurance Medical Exam

Depending on the type of life insurance you apply for, you might have to undergo a medical exam. For example, permanent life insurance policies and term life insurance policies typically require medical exams. If you do have to undergo a medical exam, the results will determine if you qualify for a policy, and how much you will pay for your monthly premium. So, what does the medical exam include and what results are insurers looking for exactly? blue stethoscope on a white table with article title over it

Paramedical Exams 

A life insurance medical exam, also known as a paramedical exam, is part of the underwriting process. The underwriting process is how life insurance companies determine how much of a risk you are to insure. They use an exam as part of this process because the healthier you are, the less of a risk you are to insure, and so the less you will pay in monthly premiums. But if the results of your exam are concerning, you will have higher monthly premiums, or may be denied altogether.

What Does the Medical Exam Include?the wall of a doctor's exam room with medical equipment hung up on the wall

The medical exam will typically include:

  • A survey about your health, medical history, and lifestyle
  • A check of your pulse and blood pressure
  • A blood test
  • A measure of your body mass index (BMI)
  • A urine sample
  • An EKG (in some cases)

These exams do not have to be an inconvenience. Many life insurance companies will offer to send a medical examiner to your home. And they can generally conduct the exam in 30 minutes or less.

What Your Insurance Company Is Looking For

While each insurance company looks at different health conditions differently, there are some constants in what insurers are going to look at. Typically, they will be looking at the health of your heart and arteries, kidney, bladder, liver, and pancreas. The exam will also show if you have HIV or drugs in your system, which can negatively affect your chances of qualifying for a policy.

No-Medical Exam Life Insurance

woman with brown hair and light blue shirt standing in front of a white wall with a hand with index finger raised
With these plans, you will not have to undergo a medical exam!

If you are worried that you won’t pass a medical exam, or that you will end up paying a lot for life insurance, guaranteed issue, simplified issue, or instant-approval term life insurance policies are great options. With these plans, you will not have to undergo a medical exam, and will not have to provide blood work or any other tests. Insurers cannot disqualify you for these policies for any health-related reasons. 

In addition, with a no-medical exam life insurance policy, you will also get instant approval. On the other hand, when you sign up for a life insurance policy that requires a medical exam, you will have to wait between 4-6 weeks after applying to find out if you qualify.

Need Help?

Don’t be put off by the thought of a medical exam! They’re generally fast, convenient, and nothing to worry about. And remember, if you pass away without life insurance, your loved ones may be left to deal with a large financial burden. They would have to pay for your funeral expenses, which are on average $10,000. As well as other bills they have relied on you to help with, such as a mortgage or college tuition. However if you are unsure whether you would pass a medical exam, a no medical exam life insurance policy can help you get the coverage you need to protect your loved ones. 

The best way to find the right life insurance policy for you is by working with an agent who specializes in life insurance. We have provided the top life insurance companies in the nation below; each offers hassle-free assistance and the most competitive rates. Always check multiple sites to make sure you have bargaining power and know the advantages of each company. Make sure a hard time isn’t made harder by a financial burden, check no medical exam life insurance rates today.

Life Insurance: Expectations vs. Reality

You might have a lot of preconceived notions about what it takes to get a life insurance policy. You might even be put off by how frustrating or difficult you think the whole process will be. But the expectations that people have when looking for a life insurance policy are not necessarily the reality. Knowing what to expect will make the process much easier, so let’s look at some of the expectations about life insurance that aren’t necessarily the way it really is.  

“I’ll need a medical exam or a blood test to get life insurance.”blood viles

The reality is that, yes, a lot of life insurance companies will ask their applicants to undergo a medical exam, including providing lab work. However, not all life insurance companies, and not all policies, will require a medical exam or blood test. Certain policies will only require you to answer a few quick questions regarding your health status, while other policies, such as guaranteed issue policies, will not require any medical exam or answers to health-related questions.

“I’ll have to go through an agent, who’ll try to upsell me.”

This is also not true, because the reality is that you can search for policies from different companies on your own. There’s no need to work with an agent during the research and application process unless you want to. Whatever you choose,  it’s very important to compare policies, because this will give you the upper hand when finding the right policy at the right price.

“The application process is time-consuming.”

Yes, searching for a policy can be time-consuming, but the application process is not. You can complete a questionnaire and get coverage the same day, or at least within a week after applying for a policy.

“Life insurance is too expensive and complicated.”suitcase full of money

Many people think that life insurance policies are a luxury, and only people who have a lot of money will purchase them. In fact, more than half of all Americans think that the cost of life insurance will be three times what the actual cost is. The reality is that life insurance policies can be as cheap as $30 a month, depending on your health. You can tailor your policy to fit your budget and needs, so there’s no need for them to be expensive or complicated.

Need Help?

Your family has financial obligations that will not go away when you are gone; they will need your help more than ever with their expenses, and the last thing you want them to worry about is money while they are grieving. There are many great affordable life insurance options to choose from that will provide enough money for your family, for a low monthly price. The best way to find the right life insurance policy for you and your specific needs is by working with an agent who specializes in life insurance. 

We have provided the top life insurance companies in the nation below; each offers hassle-free assistance and the most competitive rates. Always check multiple sites to make sure you have bargaining power and know the advantages of each company. Make sure a hard time isn’t made harder by a financial burden, check life insurance rates today.

Don’t Let One Of These Reasons Stop You From Buying Life Insurance

It happens way too often. You’re presented with an opportunity to get life insurance, whether through work or from your insurance company – you briefly consider it and then ask yourself, “Do I really need this extra expense?” and ignore the offer.  Money might be one reason why you’ve chosen not to get life insurance, but there are lots of reasons why people put off buying life insurance – we’ve seen them all before! And maybe life insurance doesn’t feel like that much of a priority right now, but putting it off can put your family’s financial future at risk. We’re here to tell you that life insurance is affordable, and worth it for your family, so don’t let one of the following reasons stop you from buying life insurance.

“I Don’t Want to Go Through a Medical Exam”stethoscope

The medical exam that you’ll have to undergo for some types of life insurance policies can seem a bit daunting, but they’re not the invasive experience you might think they are.  These exams are sort of like a scaled-down version of a physical you might get at your doctor’s office: the life insurance company will send someone to your house (if you would like), who will check your height, weight, and heart rate, and take a blood and urine sample. If you’re worried that the results of your exam will be used against you when calculating your risk and rates, know that you have options! There are many life insurance policies you can choose from that don’t require you to undergo a medical exam. 

“I Can’t Afford Life Insurance Because I Have Health Issues”

Having pre-existing conditions is not as much of a barrier to getting affordable life insurance as you might think – it depends on what your health issues are. If you are living with a serious condition, that could raise your life insurance rates, or even mean that you will be denied a policy, but you still have the option of a no-medical exam policy that guarantees you’ll be accepted. No medical exams policies are perfect for people with pre-existing conditions, and include options like: 

  • Guaranteed Issue Life– With this type of policy, you will not be rejected for any health-related reason. You will simply need to answer a few questions about your health to determine your policy rate, and you can receive coverage in as little as a day. The death benefit for this policy can be anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000.
  • Simplified Issue Life– These policies last for a certain time period (or term) – usually 10, 20, or 30 years, and are a step up from guaranteed issue life policies. They are more expensive than traditional life insurance policies, but because coverage is often limited, they are cheaper than guaranteed issue policies.
  • Guaranteed Death Benefit Life- Similar to guaranteed issue life insurance, with some slight differences. You will have to answer some health questions, with the number of questions depending on the insurance carrier. Because there might be more health-related questions, these policies are slightly less expensive than guaranteed issue life insurance. These policies offer coverage up to $50,000.
  • Final Expense Life– Also known as burial insurance; coverage is designed to cover end-of-life expenses, including burial costs, funeral ceremony costs, final medical bills, and any small debts. Policies offer coverage from as low as $2,000 to up to $50,000.

“I Have Other Financial Priorities”blue envelope open with letter coming out with invoice on the top of it and a hand with money next to it

Maybe life insurance isn’t a priority for you because you have other financial responsibilities, especially if you have a family. But, there are so many affordable life insurance policies out there, with some – like term life – costing as little as $15 a month for healthy people – that’s cheaper than the cost of lunch these days! The only way to find out if you can afford a policy is to research, compare, and work with an agent who specializes in life insurance. 

“I Don’t Understand It”

Life insurance is not something you learn about in school or even something you’re taught about as an adult. It is something you have to learn about on your own, which can be very frustrating. If you are unsure how it works, and which policy is right for you, rely on an insurance professional who can guide you in the right direction when buying life insurance. 

Your family has financial obligations that will not go away when you are gone; they will need your help more than ever with their expenses, and the last thing you want them to worry about is money while they are grieving. The best way to understand how life insurance works, and find the right policy for you and your specific needs, is by working with an agent who specializes in life insurance. We have provided the top life insurance companies in the nation below; each offers hassle-free assistance and the most competitive rates. Always check multiple sites to make sure you have bargaining power and know the advantages of each company. Make sure a hard time isn’t made harder by a financial burden, check life insurance rates today.

How Long Does It Take To Get Approved For Life Insurance?

Purchasing a life insurance policy is a process. You’ll need to research and compare policies to find the right one for your needs, and once you narrow down your choices, you’ll need to consider how long it will take you to get approved for the policy. Depending on which type of life insurance policy you get, you can get approved in anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, or even months!

The Underwriting Processquestionnaire on a clipboard with pens next to it

After you choose an insurance company to work with, you will have to fill out an application to be approved for your policy (unless you have chosen a life insurance policy that guarantees approval). Expect to answer questions about your lifestyle, where you work, and the activities you regularly engage in. Once your application is complete, the insurance company will review it and decide if they will move forward with the application. Next, you will have an interview during which a representative will ask you some medical questions, then schedule a medical exam if all goes well with the questionnaire. After you’ve gone through the exam, it can take up to 4 weeks for the underwriter to get the results; once that happens, the insurance company will begin the final review process.

Varying Approval Times

Depending on the type of insurance policy you’re applying for, you can expect to get approval in anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months. If you want to get covered quickly, a no medical exam life insurance policy is a good option, but these policies are usually limited to $1,000,000 or less in coverage. If you want a policy with more coverage, choosing a life insurance policy with a medical exam is the way to go, but you will need to wait longer for your policy to go into effect. Here is a break down of the different policies, and what you can expect as far as approval times go:

  • Guaranteed Issue– You can get approved for one of these policies regardless of your health status, so they are perfect for people with health conditions. You will not be required to undergo a medical exam for a guaranteed issue life insurance policy, which means it can take as little as a few minutes to a few weeks to get approved.
  • Simplified Issue– This is another type of no medical exam life insurance policy, but you will have to answer some medical questions. The approval process usually takes less than a week. 
  • Term & Whole Life Insurance– These two types of policies have a more detailed underwriting process that considers your health history, as well as requires a medical exam and other background checks, so approval takes longer than for no medical exam policies. The approval process can take a week, 2-4 weeks, or sometimes as long as 6-8 weeks. If you have specific health conditions, the underwriters might have to go back and forth with your doctor until they receive all your information and assess your risk.

What Can Slow Down The Process?

stacks of hundred dollar bills
The larger amount of coverage you want, the longer it might take to get approved.

There are some factors that can slow down the underwriting process, which in turn will slow down approval times. These factors are:

  • The company you choose
  • Additional health conditions
  • Coverage amount– The more coverage you apply for, the longer it can take to get approved.
  • Your age– The older you are, the more health issues you could potentially have, and the more of a risk you are to insure, so the underwriter might take extra time to review your health records. 

Deciding on which kind of life insurance policy you should purchase depends on how much coverage you are looking for and how quickly you would like your policy to go into effect, as well as other factors. Not sure where to begin? Consider using online tools, or speaking with an agent. Looking for a quick and easy policy? Some insurance companies will take longer than others to approve your application, but we have provided below top insurance companies, who will all make the process go smoothly and quickly; each can give you hassle-free assistance and the most competitive rates in the nation. Always check multiple sites to make sure you have bargaining power and know the advantages of each company. Make sure a hard time isn’t made harder by a financial burden, check life insurance rates today.

Getting Life Insurance & Preparing For A Medical Exam

If you’re shopping for a life insurance policy, you are most likely searching for a great rate. But in order to determine your premium price, some insurance companies will require you to undergo a medical exam before you buy. They do this in order to figure out how much of a risk it is to insure you; the healthier you are, the cheaper your insurance premiums will be. There is no need to be nervous about this medical exam, even if you have pre-existing conditions. Before undergoing your medical exam, there are ways that you can prepare, so you can get the best possible rate.

What To Expect

a man sitting down getting his blood pressure checked by a doctor
During a life insurance medical exam, a medical professional will go over your health history and check your blood pressure.

Life insurance companies usually require a physical in order to get a full view of your health history, family history and lifestyle habits. In most cases, a medical professional will come to your home and ask questions and collect samples. First, you will be given a verbal questionnaire which will include questions like: Are you a smoker? Do you have any chronic conditions? How often do you exercise? Then they will measure and weigh you and take blood and urine samples. After they collect this information, they will use it to help them determine your rates for coverage.

The whole process takes about 20 minutes. It is important to be as truthful as possible when answering any questions the medical professional asks you. For example, if you omit the fact that you are a smoker, and the insurance company later finds out that you smoke, they will cancel your policy. 

How To Prepare

One Week Before The Exam:

  • Eat as healthy as possible and avoid processed foods that are high in sugar, fat, and sodium. Instead, eat vegetables, leafy greens, and whole grains. This will help lower your cholesterol.
  • Increase your water intake and avoid alcohol. Alcohol is dehydrating and will affect your liver enzymes in blood tests, which can be a red flag for insurance companies. Instead, drink plenty of water to flush out toxins.

One Day Before The Exam:

caucasian woman sleeping in a bed
Be sure to get a good night’s rest before your medical exam.
  • Consider fasting for at least 8 hours before your exam. Eating before your blood work will increase your cholesterol and glucose levels
  • Do not stress out or exercise too much the day before your exam. This will only increase your pulse and blood pressure. 
  • Get a good night’s rest so your vital signs are at their best the next day. 

The Morning Of The Exam:

  • Avoid coffee because it will affect your blood pressure.
  • Drink water.
  • Do not wear heavy clothing so the medical professional gets the right reading on your weight. 
  • Have your primary care physician’s info ready, as well as a list of any medications you take regularly. 

Getting The Best Ratesmoney falling from the sky

Life insurance physical exams will determine how much you will end up paying for your policy. You can get the best possible rates by making some changes to your lifestyle and using the tips above. But you can also find great rates by comparing multiple insurance companies and the policies they offer. To get more helpful information about different types of life insurance policies, and how you can get coverage that fits your budget, take a look below. We have provided information for top-rated insurance companies that specialize in life insurance, so check their rates today and see just how simple and affordable it is to protect your family. Always check multiple sites to make sure you have bargaining power and to know the advantages of each company. Make sure a hard time for your loved ones isn’t made harder by a financial burden, check life insurance rates today.

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