Guide
No-exam life insurance
Which applicants qualify for express underwriting, how the process works, and what happens if you do not qualify.
Several carriers have introduced accelerated underwriting, where they make coverage decisions for eligible applicants using the application form, pharmacy records, driving history, and medical records databases—without ordering a physical exam. Approvals can arrive within hours. On this site, each quote displays whether the carrier requires an exam, may request one, or skips it for that product.
What it changes
No exam does not mean no underwriting review. The carrier verifies your statements against medical records and other data sources. If a policy is issued based on inaccurate statements, the carrier may contest it within the first two years. If the carrier's investigation raises questions, it might still request an exam or lab results; you will have the opportunity to decide whether to proceed.
Who tends to qualify
Most accelerated programs accept applicants under age 60 seeking coverage within the carrier's stated limits, with no significant health conditions and no tobacco or nicotine use in the past year. A few carriers will waive the exam if you recently had a medical checkup that included lab work, and your results are available.
When an exam is needed, it typically consists of a 20- to 30-minute appointment with a paramedic or nurse who visits your home or workplace whenever is convenient for you, and there is no fee to you. For healthy applicants, passing the exam often results in a better rate class, making an exam request typically an advantage rather than a burden.