No Medical Exam Life Insurance
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No medical exam life insurance is just as it sounds—coverage that doesn’t require a physical to assess your health. Instead, no exam life insurance relies on health-related questions in the application, third-party data sources, and our proprietary technology.
This means that anyone who has ever grappled with a chronic condition and worried about how their health status will impact their ability to qualify for or purchase life insurance can rest assured that there are options out there that make it possible to get life insurance coverage.
Anyone who simply can’t make time for the hassle of scheduling and commuting to a doctor’s office can also feel secure knowing they can still obtain a life insurance policy that fits their needs.
Because of companies like Ethos, no medical exam life insurance is becoming a more common reality that makes sense for the busy life of the modern consumer.
No Medical Exam Life Insurance Pros and Cons
| No Medical Exam Life Insurance Pros | No Medical Exam Life Insurance Cons |
|---|---|
Convenient; no need to schedule a medical appointment | May offer higher premiums compared to policies that require a medical exam |
Quicker decision-making process | Generally lower coverage limits than policies that require an exam |
Fair and equitable options for those worried that their health issues will prevent them from getting insurance | Some policies require a waiting period (though Ethos policies do not) |
No Medical Exam Life Insurance Pros
You’d be hard pressed to find many people who are excited at the prospect of scheduling (and in many cases, paying for) a detailed medical exam. And you’d have an even tougher time finding anyone delighted to go through that inconvenience knowing the results from the exam could affect their ability to receive or afford a life insurance plan.
Life insurance with no health exam offers applicants the following advantages:
- Convenience: Medical exams take time, cost money, and often involve headache-inducing piles of paperwork and long wait times. With no medical exam life insurance, you can complete a simple online application with a few health questions and sidestep all of those issues.
A quicker decision-making process: Receiving a medical exam means waiting for the results of that exam and then waiting to find out how those results may have negatively impacted your ability to receive coverage.
By eliminating this step, the life insurance application process suddenly moves at a much quicker pace, and decisions are made almost instantly. By applying with Ethos, most applicants receive near-instant life insurance approval—often getting a decision on the same day that they apply.
Fair and equitable options: No medical exam life insurance helps to remove the institutional barriers that can prevent people with health issues from getting life insurance coverage. No one should have to worry that their chronic illness or health status will prevent them from providing for their families.
No medical life insurance helps to eliminate that anxiety, making it possible for nearly anyone to obtain a life insurance policy to help meet their needs. Based on the information we learn about you through the application process, we will do our best to find a product that meets your goals of a quick and painless way to obtain life insurance.
No Medical Exam Life Insurance Cons
On the flip side, there are some limitations and disadvantages of no exam life insurance that you should be aware of, including the following:
- Higher premiums: Compared to policies that require a medical exam, premiums are often on the higher side. This is a tradeoff for insurers having fewer details about your medical situation and therefore potentially taking on greater risk in offering you coverage.
- Coverage limits may be lower: You might not be able to get the same amount of coverage through a no medical exam policy, depending on your exact details and profile.
- Some policies require a waiting period: No exam life insurance policies often come with a waiting period, where you don’t have active coverage for a set time right after purchasing your policy. Make sure you know the details of your policy before signing the aggreement and paying the premium.
Who Should Consider No Medical Exam Life Insurance?
Is no medical exam life insurance right for you? This type of policy can be a good option for seniors over 60 years of age. Especially for seniors with several health issues, opting for a no exam policy can eliminate hassle and worry.
Regardless of your age, no exam life insurance is worth considering if you have pre-existing medical conditions or risks. So even individuals under the age of 60 could benefit from a no exam policy if they have significant health issues.
No exam life insurance could also be a good option if you simply don’t want to deal with the hassle of scheduling a medical appointment to secure coverage. You can apply for life insurance online without heading to the doctor, and you may still be eligible for a high amount of coverage.
Types of No Medical Exam Life Insurance
You can get a few different types of life insurance policies that don’t require a medical exam.
| Metric | Fully Underwritten Term | Simplified Issue Term |
|---|---|---|
Health Questions | Yes | Minimal |
Coverage Amount | Up to $3 million or more | Up to $3 million |
Approval Speed | Days to weeks | Minutes to hours |
Premiums | Typically lowest (for healthy applicants) | Moderate to higher |
Policy Length | 10-40 years | 10-30 years |
Guaranteed Acceptance | No | No |
Cash Value | No | No |
Waiting Period | No | No (with Ethos) |
| Metric | Guaranteed Issue Whole Life |
|---|---|
Health Questions | None |
Coverage Amount | Up to $30,000 |
Approval Speed | Instant (same day) |
Premiums | Higher, due to guaranteed approval |
Policy Length | Lifetime |
Guaranteed Acceptance | Yes (within age range) |
Cash Value | Yes (builds slowly over time) |
Waiting Period | May apply with some issuers, but not with Ethos |
Ethos is proud to offer a variety of products ranging from fully underwritten policies (meaning an application with detailed medical questions will be required) to no underwriting (meaning your medical history and status won’t be a factor in determining your rate).
We work with applicants to determine the product that best meets their needs and budget, and based on the initial information we receive, we can guide applicants to the right solution. Our application is simple, straightforward, and makes it possible to receive an instant decision, so you can know your options up front.
Fully Underwritten Term
Term life insurance is generally the simplest and most affordable option, and a fully underwritten term policy is considered the traditional model of term life insurance. If you qualify for a fully underwritten term policy, you’ll be asked to answer a series of questions so we can get a clear picture of your health status.
If you’re generally healthy, are looking for life insurance with a higher death benefit, and are comfortable answering a number of health questions, this is likely the product you’ll qualify for.
Simplified Issue Term
While simplified issue life insurance is also a type of term life policy, the application process is streamlined, with fewer health questions. The underwriting decision is instant and based solely on third-party data pulls and your responses on the application—making a medical exam unnecessary.
If you need life insurance but aren’t sure you’d qualify for a traditionally underwritten policy or you’re looking for a simple application process without medical exams or lab tests, this is probably the best match for you. Keep in mind that this type of coverage often results in higher premiums, due to the simplified underwriting process.
Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
This product offers guaranteed coverage for applicants aged 65-85. This means that anyone in this age group can be approved for whole life insurance within a matter of minutes, regardless of medical history (and without medical exams). As long as you keep up with premiums, this coverage will last your whole life. When you turn 100, you no longer need to make payments, but the coverage will remain in force.
In short, it’s easier than ever to get life insurance without needing a medical exam.
At Ethos, our mission is to protect the next million families. That means helping customers get the coverage they need, while creating the most customer-friendly experience in the industry. By bypassing the need for a medical exam for all applicants, we’re doing just that. To take a closer look at your coverage options with Ethos, visit our site.
How to Apply for No Medical Exam Life Insurance
Applying for life insurance with no medical exam is fast and easy, and you can do it fully online. Here’s how the process breaks down:
- Answer a few health and lifestyle questions online (no exam or labs required)
- Get a decision—often same-day
- Choose your coverage and complete your premium payment securely
- Start enjoying coverage immediately, with no waiting period through Ethos.
How to Expedite Your Application
Answer each question with as much detail and accuracy as possible. And be sure to have the following information handy:
- Driver’s license
- Social Security number
- Personal and family medical history
- Current prescription information
- Citizen documents (if applicable)
If you’re asked any follow-up questions after you apply, be sure to take care of those requests as soon as possible. Otherwise, there may be delays in the policy underwriting process.