Guide
No-exam life insurance
Who gets accelerated approval, the way it works, and what happens if you don't qualify.
Lots of carriers now provide accelerated underwriting: for applicants in set age and amount ranges, they make decisions using your application, prescription records, motor-vehicle history and other info, rather than a medical exam. Approvals can come the same day. Each quote here shows whether an exam is needed, likely needed, or not needed.
What it changes
Skipping an exam doesn't skip the rest of underwriting. Your answers are confirmed, and a policy issued based on inaccurate answers can be disputed within the first two years. If the carrier's research uncovers something, they may request an exam or bloodwork; you then pick whether to go forward.
Who tends to qualify
Mainly applicants younger than about 60 seeking amounts below the carrier's accelerated limit, with no serious health issues and no tobacco use in the past twelve months. Some carriers will accept recent bloodwork from your doctor instead of requiring a new exam.
An exam is typically a 20- to 30-minute appointment with a paramedical examiner at your Santa Maria-area home or office, at no charge to you. For healthy applicants, good exam results can actually improve your rate tier, so exams aren't always negative.