We understand. If you’re managing an ongoing health condition, applying for life insurance can feel overwhelming. For many, the medical exam is the most worrying part of the process. You may be wondering if you can get coverage, or if an instant approval policy without a medical exam is simply "too good to be true."
The great news is that you can secure life insurance with no medical exam through three main types: accelerated underwriting (for healthy individuals), simplified issue (based on a health questionnaire), and guaranteed issue (guaranteed approval for those ages 45-86).
Because these no-medical-exam life insurance options offer quick approval and convenience, they can be a worthwhile investment, depending on your specific situation.
Accelerated vs. Simplified vs. Guaranteed Issue
While obtaining life insurance without a medical exam is absolutely possible, determining which option is best for you can feel complicated. Since each policy caters to a different health profile, we’ve broken down the key features, trade-offs, and coverage details in the simple guide below.
Feature | Accelerated Underwriting | Simplified Issue | Guaranteed Issue |
Who It's Best For | Individuals in good to excellent health who want the fastest possible approval. | Individuals with minor to moderate health conditions (like controlled diabetes, high blood pressure) who want to skip the exam. | Individuals with serious health conditions who have been declined elsewhere, or seniors seeking final expense coverage. |
Health Questions | Yes, a detailed health interview. | Yes, a basic questionnaire. | No, acceptance is guaranteed if you meet the age requirements. |
Underwriting Process | Automated review of third-party data (MVR, prescription history, etc.) and health history. No medical exam. | The underwriter reviews the application and health questionnaire—no medical exam is required. | Minimal underwriting, primarily verifying identity and age. No medical exam. |
Policy Approval Speed | Fastest | Very Fast | Fast |
Coverage Amount | Highest | Moderate | Lower |
Accelerated Underwriting
Accelerated underwriting is the fastest way to get traditional life insurance coverage. It's an ideal choice for applicants who are generally healthy and want quick approval without the hassle of a physical exam. You get to skip the medical exam entirely, but you'll still need to answer health questions.
Instead of an exam, approval is based on an automated review of your health history, which includes checks of third-party data, such as your prescription history and Motor Vehicle Report (MVR). While the cost of the policy is usually the same as a traditional, fully underwritten policy, the most significant difference you may notice is a lower offered coverage amount.
Simplified Issue Life Insurance
Simplified issuelife insurance is a good option for both seniors and individuals with health problems. This type of insurance falls under the category of final expense insurance. Although approval isn’t always guaranteed, your coverage is based on a questionnaire about your health and lifestyle rather than a medical exam.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
Guaranteed issue life insurance is typically the best option for seniors and individuals managing serious, ongoing health concerns who are worried about qualifying. As the name suggests, acceptance is guaranteed if you fall within the typical age range (usually 45-85)—you can't be turned down, and you get to skip the health questionnaire entirely.
The trade-off for this guaranteed approval, however, is called a graded death benefit. This means that if the insured passes away from natural causes within the first two or three years of the policy, the beneficiary only receives the premiums paid plus interest, not the full policy amount. Once this period is over, the full death benefit is paid out.
Skipping the Physical Medical Exam
Choosing a no-medical-exam life insurance policy means you can avoid the in-person physical, which is a relief for many applicants. However, skipping the physical doesn't mean the process is invisible; carriers still assess the risk they take on. Understanding both the detailed tests you bypass and the key information carriers will review instead is essential to making an informed decision about your coverage.
Bypassing Traditional Life Insurance Blood Work Requirements
As you compare no-medical-life insurance options against traditional policies, it’s helpful to understand a significant component of the medical exam that you’d be bypassing: the blood work. This step provides carriers with detailed health information; skipping it is precisely what increases the risk—and cost—for the insurance carrier.
Standard blood work requirements usually screen for key health indicators that directly impact mortality risk. This includes elevated markers for conditions such as diabetes (glucose, A1C), heart disease (cholesterol, triglycerides), and issues related to liver and kidney function—the tests also screen for nicotine use and specific viruses, including HIV.
Looking at the Information Carriers Do Review
When you choose no-physical-exam life insurance, the carrier needs other ways to assess your risk, which often means an automated review of existing records. We want you to feel confident in the process, so here's a look at the key data sources carriers typically review to qualify you without an exam:
Pharmacy Report: This report lists all the medications you’ve been prescribed over a certain number of years, giving the carrier insight into your health history.
Motor Vehicle Report (MVR): Provides details on your driving record, which can indicate certain lifestyle risks.
Medical Information Bureau (MIB) Report: Used if you have applied for, or been denied, life insurance coverage in the past.
Credit/Financial History: Used primarily to verify financial stability, which can factor into eligibility for higher coverage amounts.
Ultimately, no-medical-exam-required life insurance is a powerful option that not only saves you time but is particularly beneficial for those concerned about their current health or age working against them in terms of qualifying or cost.
The Cost of No-Medical-Exam Life Insurance
Since no-medical-exam options provide a more convenient path to coverage, these policies cost more than fully underwritten ones. This cost reflects the greater risk the carrier assumes, as skipping the physical exam means relying on less detailed health information.
The good news is that the cost difference isn't the same across all options. Accelerated underwriting offers rates closest to standard coverage. Simplified issue policies are typically priced slightly higher because they rely only on a health questionnaire. And guaranteed issue policies, which guarantee acceptance for individuals aged 45-85, are the most expensive per dollar of coverage due to the high risk taken on by the carrier.
Find the Right Fit With SelectQuote
Figuring out what life insurance is best for you can feel overwhelming, but that’s why SelectQuote is here. Our licensed insurance agents are here to advocate for you, using proprietary technology to compare all your options to find a long-lasting policy that truly fits your needs and budget.
