Guide
No-exam life insurance
Which applicants qualify for accelerated underwriting, how the process operates, and what the procedure looks like if you need an examination instead.
A lot of carriers now have expedited underwriting programs: for applicants within particular age limits and coverage amounts, carriers make decisions based on your application, prescription drug history, driving records and related information without ordering a physical exam. In some instances, approval decisions happen within a single day. The quotes on this site indicate whether an exam is required, potentially required, or not required for each product.
What it changes
Declining an exam doesn't mean skipping the investigation. Carriers validate the information you provide, and any policy issued based on inaccurate answers is subject to contest for the first two years. If data uncovered during the carrier's investigation creates questions, they might still request an exam or tests, at which point you can decide whether to proceed.
Who tends to qualify
Typically individuals under age 60 seeking coverage amounts under the carrier's accelerated threshold, with no significant medical history and tobacco non-use within the past year. Some carriers are willing to accept recent lab work from a doctor's visit rather than requiring a new examination.
Should an exam be necessary, it ordinarily takes 20 to 30 minutes and occurs at your home or workplace in the Berkeley area through a qualified paramedic, at no cost. Exam results frequently help eligible applicants move to a more favorable rate classification, so an examination is not necessarily unfavorable.