Best No Medical Exam Life Insurance

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Contributor, Benzinga
January 23, 2024

Looking for the best rate and coverage for life insurance? Consider Sproutt.

Before you purchase a life insurance policy, it’s important to understand that some policies require you to undergo a medical exam before your coverage can begin. Fortunately, some providers waive this requirement. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, here’s a guide to the best no medical exam life insurance.

Quick Look: Best No Medical Exam Life Insurance

  • Best for Young Families: Fabric
  • Best for People with Healthy Lifestyles: Sproutt
  • Best for Term Life Insurance: Bestow
  • Best for Adjustable Coverage: Ladder
  • Best for Comparing Multiple Quotes to Get the Best Price: Policygenius

5 Best No Medical Life Insurance

If you’ve decided that a life insurance policy without a medical exam might be the right choice for you, it’s time to consider the best life insurance companies. Here are some of our top picks.

1. Best for Young Families: Fabric

Fabric offers term life insurance for individuals between the ages of 25 and 50. It believes that life insurance isn’t for you, it’s for your family. You can apply and see your price in under 10 minutes.

Apply online or in Fabric’s mobile app. It offers a range of term lengths and coverage amounts to help you find a policy that works for you. Choose from 10-, 15- or 20-year terms and coverage amounts from $100,000 up to $5,000,000.

To get an idea of how much you might spend on term life insurance with a Fabric policy, we gathered a real quote. A 20-year term life insurance policy for a 29-year-old female in excellent condition with a coverage amount of $250,000 would pay around $14.61 per month. That’s less than a burger combo at Shake Shack! Apply now and see what this affordable term life insurance will cost you.

Pros

  • Affordable premiums
  • Free digital will creation
  • Free app with helpful tools for parents
  • Apply and see your rate in less than 10 minutes

Cons

  • No term life coverage in New York or Montana
  • Can’t increase coverage after purchasing

2. Best for People with Healthy Lifestyles: Sproutt

Sproutt is an independent insurance broker that connects you with a policy and provider to match up with your budget and needs. By combining technology and human touch, Sproutt creates a personal profile for every applicant and matches you with the most suitable coverage. 

This process is entirely online. You have the option to speak to an experienced Sproutt advisor for assistance. It works with top-rated life insurance carriers like AIG, SBLI, Principal and Sagicor Life. 

The company has also developed its Guided Artificial Intelligence Assessment (GAIA) platform to power the Quality of Life Index. The platform evaluates your lifestyle to offer personalized recommendations to help you live a healthier lifestyle.

Pros

  • Works with top-rated life insurance carriers
  • Online process
  • Diverse policy options
  • An AI-based assessment delivers perks to those with healthy lifestyles

Cons

  • Not best for unhealthy people on a budget

3. Best for Term Life Insurance: Bestow

Bestow is 1 of the top life insurance agencies that does not require a medical exam. It offers a quick online application process to help you get your policy issued as soon as possible if approved. 

Bestow makes it easy to find information and understand who can receive no medical exam life insurance. It can underwrite 10-year no medical exam term life insurance policies for people up to the age of 60, as long as they’re approved. That being said, if you have a serious health condition or partake in risky hobbies, you may need to speak with an insurance agent to find the policies you qualify for. 

This life insurance agency only offers term life insurance and you can choose from a short or long-term policy depending on your needs. You are able to receive your coverage immediately if you’re approved for a policy. Bestow also offers low rates and flexible cancellation policy to help you with this important decision.

Pros

  • Plans start at just $11/month
  • Decent coverage options if you need insurance quickly and without hassle

Cons

  • Offers 2 types of plans; does not offer whole or universal life insurance policies
  • The 10- and 20-year plans not available to users under 18 or older than 60

4. Best for Adjustable Coverage: Ladder

  • Ladder Life Insurance
    Best For:
    Adjustable coverage
    securely through Ladder Life Insurance's website

    Ladder Insurance Services, LLC (CA license # OK22568; AR license # 3000140372) distributes term life insurance products issued by multiple insurers – for further details see ladderlife.com. All insurance products are governed by the terms set forth in the applicable insurance policy. Each insurer has financial responsibility for its own products. Coverage amounts vary by state.

Ladder offers policies with no hidden fees, on-the-spot underwriting and a streamlined website. The platform has a quick process with affordable prices and flexible coverage, taking only 5 minutes from start to finish to apply for life insurance.

Ladder offers term life insurance products issued by multiple highly rated insurers for people between the ages of 20 and 60. Its life insurance policies also offer a wide range of coverage options, ranging from $100,000 to $8 million.

Ladder has a price lock guarantee ensuring your premium won’t increase as your health changes and you age. You can receive a refund within the 1st 30 days if you’re unhappy with your coverage and you can cancel at any time.

Pros

  • Up to $8 million in coverage
  • Price lock guarantee
  • No policy fees
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • Adjustable coverage

Cons

  • No policy riders
  • Term life insurance only

5. Best for Comparing Multiple Quotes to Get the Best Price: Policygenius

Policygenius allows you to receive the best no-medical exam life insurance quotes from several different companies all at once. All you need to do is enter your age to get started. Then, Policygenius can guide you through deciding which life insurance policy is right for you. It can also provide you with quotes to compare to find the best value.

By incorporating Policygenius into your search for life insurance without a medical exam, you can analyze several plans from multiple providers side-by-side. Not only will this save you time, but it will also give you a full scope of your options and help you find the right coverage at the right price.

Pros

  • Comparison of multiple policies
  • Unbiased advice from licensed insurance experts
  • Free cost calculator

Cons

  • Quotes from all providers not always available

What is No Medical Exam Life Insurance?

No medical exam life insurance is exactly what it sounds like — a life insurance policy that does not require the insured person to undergo a medical exam before coverage begins.

Types of No Medical Exam Insurance Explained

Most life insurance policies require a medical exam before your coverage begins. The required exam is provided by the life insurance company, so it’s completely free for you. Insurance companies use these medical exams to assess the risk of insuring you or anyone else who will be insured by the policy that you’re trying to purchase. It will also be used to set the premium rate of the insurance policy. 

These medical exams are performed by a licensed medical technician and usually take about 30 minutes. During the exam, you can expect that the technician will measure your height and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI), check your blood pressure and collect blood and urine samples. In some cases — usually based on the age of the insured — the technician may also perform additional tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG.)

Fortunately, there are ways to get life insurance without a medical exam if you prefer a hassle-free process that will allow you to activate your policy immediately. Specifically, there are 2 types of life insurance policies that don’t require a medical exam.

Simplified Issue Life Insurance

Simplified issue life insurance policies allow you to submit a detailed questionnaire about your health instead of undergoing a medical exam. In the questionnaire, you’ll be asked to provide information about your health, your medical history and your family medical history. Additionally, these policies require that you provide access to all of your medical records for the insurance company to review. 

Simplified issue policies are a good option if you’re looking for a policy that can provide you with quick approval. It can also be a good idea if you have a controlled medical condition that could delay the process of getting life insurance. Typically, a simplified issue policy is used to help people get coverage even if they might not qualify for a traditional policy. That being said, the premiums for simplified life insurance policies are usually higher than the premiums of traditional life insurance policies.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Guaranteed issue life insurance policies also are an option. These policies have very few requirements, and the application only asks a few questions about your health information and medical history. If you have a preexisting condition, a guaranteed issue policy may be a better option than traditional or simplified life insurance policies. 

In most cases, guaranteed issue life insurance policies are the best option if you’re facing a serious medical condition. The coverage amounts are generally lower than other types of insurance policies, but the coverage can be used to help your family cover end-of-life expenses such as medical bills and funeral expenses. 

How Does Life Insurance Typically Work?

You and a life insurance company enter into an agreement when you choose a policy. The main purpose of your life insurance policy is to provide financial protection to your family when you pass on. Here are some terms you will need to be familiar with:

  • Beneficiary: Your beneficiaries receive life insurance payouts when you die. You can list 1 or more individuals as the beneficiaries of your life insurance policy. You may also be able to make an organization your beneficiary. 
  • Death benefit: This is the money that is paid out when the insured person passes away.
  • Policyholder: This is the person whose life is insured. In most cases, the person who takes out the life insurance policy is the policyholder. However, it is possible in some cases to take out a policy on someone else’s life.
  • Premium: The premium is the amount that you will owe monthly or annually to keep your policy active. Your life insurance documents may also refer to keeping your policy active as it being “in force.” If you fail to make your premium payments, your beneficiaries may not be able to receive the death benefit when you pass away.

As soon as you select a policy and make your 1st premium payment, your life insurance policy will go into effect.

Term Life vs. Whole Life: What is the Difference?

There are a few types of life insurance you can get — 2 common options are term and whole life insurance.

Term Life Insurance

Term life may be your best bet if you’re looking for affordable life insurance. This type of life insurance policy only lasts for a set number of years, otherwise known as the “term” of your policy. Usually, life insurance companies offer 10- to 30-year terms for term life insurance policies. When you reach the end of your term, your life insurance policy expires.

If a term life insurance policy ends before the insured person passes away, the policyholder will need to find a way to continue coverage. If coverage is not continued, the beneficiaries of the policy will not receive the death benefit.

There are 2 options to continue coverage after a term life insurance policy ends. You can purchase a new term life policy. In some cases, you may also be able to convert the term life policy into a whole life policy. Speak with your insurance company to discuss the options available to you.

Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance policy is a form of permanent life insurance. This policy will stay in effect your entire life as long as you continue to pay your premiums. When you take out a whole life insurance policy, a portion of your premium will go towards the tax-deferred cash value. This savings account is known as the cash value of your policy.

You can use the cash value of your policy to help you in certain financial situations. For example, you can use it to fund your policy, draw from it in retirement or even borrow from it.

Why Would a Life Insurance Company Not Require a Medical Exam?

It's important to remember every life insurance company is a business. It might be tricky for you to get a life insurance policy because of certain health conditions or hobbies. You might need life insurance quickly and don’t have the time to go through the full medical exam. Life insurance companies offer policies that don’t require a medical exam to help you gain access to a life insurance policy. 

You might want to consider a life insurance policy without a medical exam if you:

  • Live a generally healthy lifestyle
  • Don't engage in risky behaviors
  • Don't have the time to schedule a medical exam
  • Are looking for a shorter timeline to obtain life insurance

It’s important to remember that even though you wouldn’t need to submit to a medical exam, you do still need to be truthful about your health. Most policies will ask you questions about your health and lifestyle to determine whether you are eligible for a life insurance policy. Your policy may be canceled if you omit information about your health.

How to Compare No Medical Exam Life Insurance

It’s important to consider your needs and whether a no-medical exam life insurance policy can meet them. No matter what type of life insurance policy you’re seeking, the best way to get started is to get a quote. You can either use a site like Policygenius to compare quotes from different companies or get quotes individually from the companies you’re interested in.

From there, you should look at the conditions of the policy as well as the death benefit and premium to help you make your decision.

So, in sum, consider the following factors when comparing life insurance:

  • What kind of life insurance do you need?
  • Which providers offer the type of insurance you're looking for?
  • Would you prefer a no medical exam option?
  • Which provider offers the best premium price for a plan that meets your needs?
  • What are the conditions of the policy?
  • What is the death benefit?

Once you've considered all these factors, you should be well on your way to purchasing a policy.

How to Buy No Medical Exam Life Insurance

After you get 1 or multiple quotes, you can move on to purchase your life insurance policy. The nice thing about no medical exam life insurance policies is that in most cases if you qualify you can purchase your policy within the same day. All you need to do is identify the policy you want and complete the purchase either online or by phone. If you need help deciding which policy is best for you, you can contact any of the agents at the insurance companies listed above for assistance.

Is No Medical Exam Life Insurance Right for Me?

Whether you go with no medical exam life insurance or another type of life insurance, you may be asking yourself, "is life insurance worth it?". For most people, it is a worthy investment, especially if you have dependents or others who rely on your income to get by in their daily lives. You might also want to consider life insurance if you want to leave behind a legacy to an organization or to your family members. Even if you’re still on the fence, there’s no harm in getting a life insurance quote to see what you might qualify for.

However, if you are young, healthy, and just looking to purchase simple life insurance quickly, this may be the right option for you. Do your research and fully understand each insurance company and policy before you choose life insurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q

How much life insurance do I need?

A

Many in the industry recommend that you carry 8-12 times your annual income in life insurance coverage. A more granular approach can be beneficial, however, and accounting for debt and ongoing financial commitments in more detail when choosing a coverage amount can better provide for your family than an arbitrary multiple of earnings. Get a customized quote for the best policy.

Q

I have life insurance through work. Do I need more coverage?

A

Most group life insurance policies offered through employers offer a death benefit equal to 1-3 years of salary. For many households, this amount won’t be enough to retire debt or provide for the surviving family. A commonly used rule of thumb suggests that you should have at least 8-12 times your income in life insurance coverage.

Q

How can I lower my life insurance premiums?

A

Life insurance premiums are based on age, insured amount, and a number of health and behavioral risk factors. Rates have fallen in recent years as longevity has increased and insurers have become better at pricing risk factors. If you have an old policy, it may be a good idea to make sure it’s still fits your current needs at the best price. If you don’t have coverage yet, don’t wait too long to buy a policy. Rates typically increase with age. Many insurers also offer a sizeable discount on auto insurance if you have a life insurance policy with the company as well, creating a way to save money on your overall insurance costs. Get the best deals here.

Q

When should I consider no medical exam life insurance?

A

If you’re in a hurry to receive coverage or if you’re concerned about whether your health issues may compromise your ability to receive a traditional life insurance policy, no medical exam life insurance may be a good option for you.

Q

How do I find out which life insurance policy is best for me?

A

Arming yourself with information about life insurance is a good place to start. You can also reach out to a licensed insurance agent at any of the companies listed above to discuss your options.

Methodology

Benzinga crafted a specific methodology to rank life insurance. To see a comprehensive breakdown of our methodology, please visit our Life Insurance Methodology page.

About Philip Loyd, Licensed Insurance Agent

Loyd has written for Forbes.com, Red News Real Estate, Therapist.com, IRA.com, McGraw Hill, TheStreet.com, WikiHow, GOBankingRates.com, S.R. Education, Society of Petroleum Engineers and BioTech Fortunes. He is a licensed insurance agent and financial advisor with both his series 6 and 7 certifications.