Guide
No-exam life insurance
Which applicants qualify for expedited decisions, what accelerated underwriting covers, and the underwriting path for those who don't.
A growing number of carriers offer expedited underwriting: rather than scheduling a medical exam, they render decisions for applicants within specific age and benefit limits using the application itself along with prescription databases, motor vehicle records, and other obtainable information. Approvals can sometimes come within a day. This site indicates for each quote whether the carrier intends to require an exam, may request one, or will skip it.
What it changes
Waiving an exam doesn't mean skipping underwriting. The information you provide still gets verified, and policies written on false statements can be challenged within the first two years. If the carrier uncovers concerns during its background checks, it may still ask for exam results or lab work, at which time you can decide whether to move forward.
Who tends to qualify
Usually people under about age 60, seeking amounts below the carrier's instant-decision cap, with a clean health history and no tobacco use in the preceding year. Some carriers will use existing test results from a recent doctor visit instead of scheduling their own exam.
Exams, when required, usually involve a 20 to 30-minute visit by a medical professional at a location of your choosing in the Patterson region, at no charge to you. For health-conscious applicants, exam findings can actually upgrade your rate tier, so it's not always a barrier.