Guide
No-exam life insurance
Which applicants qualify for instant underwriting, how the process works, and what to expect if you don't qualify.
Many carriers now offer accelerated underwriting: for applicants in certain age brackets and requesting certain amounts, they decide using your application, pharmacy records, driving history, and other data without requiring a physical exam. Some decisions arrive within hours. Every quote on this site indicates whether an exam is required, potentially required, or not needed for that product.
What it changes
Skipping an exam doesn't skip underwriting entirely. Your answers are verified, and a policy issued based on wrong information can be challenged within the first two years. If the carrier discovers anything that raises questions, they may ask for an exam or lab work anyway; you can decide to proceed or stop at that point.
Who tends to qualify
Typically people under about 60 who are requesting amounts within the carrier's accelerated underwriting limits, with no significant medical history and no tobacco use in the past 12 months or more. If your medical records from a recent doctor visit include blood work, some carriers will use those results instead of requiring a new exam.
When an exam is required, it typically takes 20 to 30 minutes and happens at your home or place of work in the Antioch area, at no charge to you. For applicants in good health, test results frequently lead to an improved rate class, so undergoing an exam can actually benefit you.