Friday, August 7, 2020

Non Medical Life Insurance

For many people, finding a no exam life insurance policy can be a great way to purchase a policy conveniently and quickly. But convenience is just one reason why people like life insurance with no medical exams. In today's world of Covid-19, as we try to do social distancing, many just don't want a nurse, no matter how sterile, to come into their homes. And I'm sure there are some nurses who are concerned about their safety as well.

I had a client from Florence, SC who was terrified of needles. It stressed her out to no end, but she needed some life insurance protection and reluctantly agreed to the paramed exam. The nurse told me later that the client nearly passed out and her blood pressure was very high, all as a result of her fear of needles. Again, convenience is not the only reason to purchase no exam life insurance.

These policies allow you to get term life coverage to financially protect your family in the event of your early death, without having to undergo a medical test. 

Whether you are looking at term life insurance or whole life insurance, it usually means passing medical underwriting — and that involves a medical exam in which a nurse meets you at your home or work. This exam can include the nurses getting your information, such as medications, but also having to measure your blood pressure, height and weight, and procure blood and urine samples.

Unfortunately, having to pass a medical test can be a roadblock for some people to getting this important coverage. Maybe they feel they can’t pass medical underwriting. Or, maybe, like the client I mentioned earlier, they just don’t like to be poked and prodded with needles. Either way, they put off buying the coverage they need to protect their family's financial needs.



Before we get started, let’s make sure you understand some basics about no exam life insurance. There are two types of these policies - simplified issue and guaranteed issue. 

When it comes to simplified issue no exam life insurance, you simply answer a series of questions about yourself and your general state of health to qualify. If your responses fall in the parameters of the insurance carriers underwriting limits, you are halfway there.  That’s different than the normal underwriting process where you have to undergo a medical exam. Be aware that the life insurance company can still request your medical records. Depending on the face amount, your age and whether or not you smoke, the carrier may forego asking for those records as well. However, there is a trade-off for these so-called “simplified issue policies.” They will usually be a little bit more expensive than their medically underwritten counterparts. 

For instance, I had a 30 year old woman, non-smoker and in overall good health, in Myrtle Beach, SC apply for $250,000 20-year term policy which required no medical exam. A comparable policy requiring the exam came in about $9/month cheaper. As you can see, the risk to the carrier was built into the premiums.

Guaranteed issue policies tend to come in the form of whole life policies and are usually taken by those who have health issues which would normally keep them from getting coverage. There is no medical exam, no health questions and the price can be higher. Typically these are bought for final expenses associated with funerals and some may have limited benefits for the first two years of the policy.

I advise my clients to be truthful in answering the survey questions. If the carrier finds that you may have "fudged" your information they can void your policy.

At Surf Financial Brokers we have several companies who offer non medical life insurance policies. Book an appointment to speak with us and go over your options. And in the meantime, stay healthy. 


Chris Castanes is the president of Surf Financial Brokers, helping people find affordable life and disability insurance coverage. He's also is a professional speaker helping sales people be more productive and efficient and has spoken to professional and civic organizations throughout the Southeast. And please subscribe to this blog!

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