Speak to a Licensed Sales Agent

Life Insurance Medical Exam: What to Expect

When you formally apply for life insurance, many potential insurers require a medical exam at no cost to you. It’s a quick, simple process that usually takes less than an hour and it can be conducted in your home, at work or at an exam center—whatever is most convenient.

The exam results, along with your life insurance application and required financial information, will be used by each life insurance company to confirm the final rate they can offer you. It’s all done through a review known as the underwriting process.

How to Prepare for a Life Insurance Medical Exam

While the life insurance medical exam is a simple process, there are some easy ways to prepare for a positive outcome. It’s helpful to schedule your exam in the morning, as you’ll want to avoid drinking coffee and smoking beforehand to help keep your blood pressure low. You’ll also want to avoid salts and fatty foods leading up to the physical exam.

Additionally, drinking lots of water and getting a good night’s sleep will not only help your blood pressure and pulse, but it will also help you feel more confident heading into your life insurance medical exam.

Common Life Insurance Medical Exam Questions

Why do I need to take a medical exam to buy a life insurance policy?

The medical exam is part of the life insurance underwriting process, which determines the premiums for your insurance policy. The results from the medical exam help determine the risk your health poses to the insurance company. The medical exam allows the underwriter to cross reference the details on your health questionnaire and confirm the final price for the selected amount of insurance coverage.

What happens during the medical exam?

There are two parts to the medical exam:

Medical Questionnaire:
The medical questionnaire will ask basic questions regarding your medical history, health and lifestyle habits.
Physical Exam:
The physical exam is a simple checkup, similar to what you’d receive at a doctor’s office (weight, height, blood draw, heart monitoring, etc.). The exam is used to confirm your answers on the medical questionnaire.

Will my life insurance rates be impacted by my life insurance medical exam?

Along with your application and required financial information, the life insurance health exam results will be used by each life insurance company to confirm the final rate they can offer you. Some factors may result in higher premiums, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, hypoglycemia, chronic illness, nicotine use or recreational drug use.

Looking for no medical exam life insurance?

Whether you just aren’t interested in taking the medical exam, are in a hurry to get covered or are concerned about your current health, there are no medical exam life insurance options. At SelectQuote, we can help you learn more about these options for coverage to see if they are the right fit for you and your situation.

Simplified Issue Life Insurance

Simplified issue life insurance replaces the life insurance medical exam with a health-related questionnaire. This is typically a good option if you’re between ages 45 and 85 and are looking for a policy up to $40,000.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Guaranteed issue life insurance has no medical exam required, no health questions and you can’t be turned down for coverage if you’re between the age of 45-85.

See What People Said About Purchasing Life Insurance With SelectQuote

Start Your Free Life Insurance Quote Today

SelectQuote makes buying life insurance from some of the most trusted carriers quick, easy and at your convenience.

Start My Free Quote

Still have questions? Learn more about life insurance health screening with SelectQuote.

If the medical exam is a concern of yours—whether it be your health or you’ve been turned down for life insurance coverage before—there are many options to consider and SelectQuote can help. We can walk you through the process of purchasing life insurance, providing coverage and cost comparisons from some of the most trusted insurance companies in just minutes.

Pass Life Insurance Exam

No Medical Exam Life Insurance

Life Insurance Calculator

Privacy Policy | Legal

SelectQuote does not sell Life Insurance in South Dakota.

SelectQuote Insurance Services has no control over rate information posted in the reviews above through Trustpilot. Your plan could vary depending on your age, health, issuing company and other factors. Not available in all states.

* Best's Credit Ratings™ are under continuous review and subject to change and/or affirmation. For the latest Best’s Credit Ratings™ and Best’s Credit Reports (which include Best’s Credit Ratings™), visit the A.M. Best website at ambest.com. See Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings™ for explanation of use and charges.” “Best's Credit Ratings™ reproduced herein appear under license from A.M. Best and do not constitute, either expressly or impliedly, an endorsement of SelectQuote or its recommendations, formulas, criteria or comparisons to any other ratings, rating scales or rating organizations which are published or referenced herein. A.M. Best is not responsible for transcription errors made in presenting Best's Credit Ratings™. Best’s Credit Ratings™ are proprietary and may not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of A.M. Best Company.” A Best’s Financial Strength Rating opinion addresses the relative ability of an insurer to meet its ongoing insurance obligations. It is not a warranty of a company’s financial strength and ability to meet its obligations to policyholders. View our Important Notice: Best's Credit Ratings for a disclaimer notice and complete details at http://www.ambest.com/home/ratings.aspx

* All policies are Protective Classic Choice Term 10. Policy is a level death benefit term life insurance policy to age 90, policy form number ICC16 TL-21/ TL-21, and state variations thereof, issued by Protective Life Insurance Company in all states except New York where it is issued by Protective Life and and Annuity Insurance Company policy form number TL-21-NY 4-16. Both companies located in Birmingham, AL. Policy form number and features may vary by state. Consult the policy for benefits, riders, limitations, and exclusions. Subject to underwriting. Up to a two year contestable and suicide period. Benefits adjusted for misstatements of age or sex. In Montana unisex rates apply. Premiums increase annually after the initial guaranteed premium period. All payments and guarantees are subject to the claims paying ability of the issuing company.

AIG Companies policies issued by American General Life Insurance Company (AGL), Houston, TX. Issuing company AGL is responsible for financial obligations of insurance products and is a member of American International Group, Inc. (AIG).

**https://www.who.int/gho/women_and_health/mortality/situation_trends_life_expectancy/en/

If you are vision-impaired or have some other impairment and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to using this website, please email us at accessibility@selectquote.com.