Guide
No-exam life insurance
Who gets approved quickly, how the process works, and what happens if you don't meet the accelerated criteria.
Most carriers now provide accelerated underwriting: for applicants within specified age and amount ranges, they decide based on the application, pharmacy records, motor vehicle data, and other sources rather than a paramedical exam. Many decisions arrive within one business day. This site's quote details tell you whether an exam is expected, possibly expected, or unnecessary for each product.
What it changes
Acceleration does not eliminate underwriting. All answers get verified, and a policy issued based on false information can be challenged within the first two years. Should the carrier discover any inconsistencies in their data review, they can ask for additional tests or an exam; you remain free to proceed or withdraw.
Who tends to qualify
Typically, applicants under age 60, applying for amounts within the carrier's accelerated limits, with no serious health history and no tobacco use within the past year or more. Some carriers accept recent blood work from your doctor instead of scheduling a separate exam.
When an exam is required, expect a 20- to 30-minute appointment with a paramedical professional at your residence or workplace in the South San Francisco area, provided at no cost. For applicants in good health, test findings frequently move you to a more favorable rate tier, which means the exam isn't necessarily a negative.