Guide
No-exam life insurance
Which applicants get immediate underwriting, what the process looks like, and what happens if you don't qualify.
Many carriers now provide accelerated underwriting: using your application, your prescription history, driving records and other sources of data, they can make a decision for applicants within certain age brackets and coverage limits, without needing a paramedical exam. Approval can come within hours. Every quote shown here indicates whether an exam is required, conditional, or unnecessary for that specific product.
What it changes
An exam-free application does not skip underwriting—the carrier still verifies your answers. A policy sold based on wrong information may be denied in its first two years. If the carrier finds something in their data check that concerns them, they may still want to test you; then you choose whether to go ahead.
Who tends to qualify
Most carriers offer immediate underwriting for people under about 60, requesting coverage amounts within their limits, with no serious prior health issues and no tobacco use within the past year or longer. Some carriers will substitute recent blood work from your doctor if you've had a physical examination.
Should you need an exam, expect a quick 20- to 30-minute visit from a paramedical technician, either at home or your workplace in the Mountain View area, completely free. For applicants in good health, exam results sometimes lead to a better rate class, so it can end up helping.