Guide
No-exam life insurance
Which applicants qualify for immediate decisions, how it works, and what changes if an exam is still needed.
Many carriers now provide accelerated underwriting: for applicants in a certain age and amount range, they decide using your application, prescription history, vehicle records and other sources rather than a medical exam. Some give instant decisions. Each quote lists whether an exam is required, conditional, or waived for that product.
What it changes
Accelerated underwriting is not the same as skipping underwriting. The carrier verifies your answers using prescription records, driving history, and other data. If a policy is issued with incorrect information, it can be challenged during its first two years. The carrier may still request an exam or tests if something raises questions.
Who tends to qualify
Usually people under about age 60 applying for amounts below the carrier's acceleration limit, with no serious health issues and no tobacco use in the past year. Some carriers accept recent bloodwork from your doctor instead of a new exam.
Exams usually run 20 to 30 minutes at your home or workplace in the Delano area, at no cost to you. For healthy applicants, results often improve your rate class, so an exam can actually work in your favor.