Guide
No-exam life insurance
Which applicants can skip the exam, how the faster process works, and what to expect if you don't qualify for it.
A growing number of carriers use accelerated underwriting: for applicants in certain age and benefit ranges, they make decisions based on your application, your prescription medications, driving history, and public records, skipping the paramedical exam. Many decisions come back within a day or two. Quotes on this site indicate for each product whether an exam is expected, might be needed, or is not needed.
What it changes
Fast underwriting is not the same as no underwriting. Your answers will be checked against medical records and other data. If you apply with incomplete or inaccurate information, the carrier can contest the policy during the first two years. The carrier might still request an exam or lab results if their research turns up questions; at that stage you can choose to move forward or not.
Who tends to qualify
Usually people under about 60 asking for coverage within the carrier's accelerated program limits, with no significant medical history and no tobacco in the past 12 months or longer qualify. Some carriers will take recent bloodwork from your doctor's office instead of sending out an exam.
If an exam is required, expect a 20- to 30-minute visit at your home or work location in the Palm Desert area by a trained medical professional, at no charge to you. For applicants in good health, the exam results sometimes lead to a better rate class, so it is not always a drawback.