Speak to a Licensed Sales Agent!
SelectQuote can help you prepare for the life insurance medical exam.
People are often hesitant to shop for life insurance because of anxiety over the medical exam, but SelectQuote can help you feel prepared and know what to expect.
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
The life insurance medical exam is a simple, straightforward process, but there are some additional easy steps you can take to prepare for a positive outcome. For example, you may find it helpful to schedule your exam in the morning, which will help you avoid habits like drinking coffee and smoking beforehand to keep your blood pressure results optimal. Avoiding excess salt and fatty foods leading up to the exam will also help improve your results.
You can also keep healthy lifestyle habits in mind as you approach your exam. Simply drinking plenty of water, limiting alcohol, and getting a good night’s sleep will not only help your blood pressure and pulse, but will help you feel more well-rested and confident leading into your exam. You may also want to avoid strenuous exercise on the day of the exam, as this may raise your blood pressure. Overall, taking these simple steps will help reduce stress leading up to the exam and improve the quality of your results.
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:1. Medical Questionnaire:The medical questionnaire will ask basic questions regarding your medical history, health, and lifestyle habits.2. Physical Exam:The physical exam is a simple checkup, similar to what you’d receive at a doctor’s office, such as weight, height, blood draw, and heart monitoring. 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 the 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, you have options with no medical exam life insurance. 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.
Instant Term Life Insurance
Instant term life insurance through SelectQuote is an affordable, easy way to qualify for up to $5 million in coverage if you’re 60 years old or younger and in generally good health. The quick and simple application process takes less than an hour and doesn’t require a medical exam. And with a convenient, fully online application, you get to bypass the paperwork, saving you time and quickly assigning you coverage.
Simplified Issue Life Insurance
Simplified issue life insurance replaces the traditional life insurance medical exam with a simple health-related questionnaire. This policy type is typically a good option for people between ages 45 and 85 who are looking for a policy up to $100,000. There’s no requirement to provide any medical records, making it a good fit for people who are concerned about how their medical history may affect their life insurance eligibility.
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
Guaranteed issue life insurance not only bypasses the medical exam but also does not require you to answer any health-related questions. With this coverage type, you can’t be denied coverage if you’re between the age of 45-85. Keep in mind that coverage amounts are lower than other life insurance types, typically up to $25,000.
See What People Said About Purchasing Life Insurance With SelectQuote
Start Your Free Life Insurance Quote Today
When shopping for term life insurance, you’ll likely have many questions about the process, especially the medical exam. Luckily, SelectQuote makes the process quick and convenient, and our experienced, licensed insurance agents are here to help you navigate decisions along the way. We’ll take the guesswork out of your hands by searching a variety of trusted carriers on your behalf. Whether you’re looking for a traditional term life insurance policy or no medical exam coverage, we’ll find the right fit for your needs.
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.
Licensed name varies by state: SelectQuote Insurance Services, SelectQuote Insurance Agency. ©2025 SelectQuote Insurance Services. All rights reserved.