Guide
No-exam life insurance
Which applicants can get immediate decisions, how the process works for them, and what happens if you don't fit the accelerated category.
A number of carriers have introduced accelerated underwriting programs where eligible applicants—those within the carrier's age and coverage limits—receive decisions based on what you tell them, combined with prescription records, driving history, and other information, without needing a paramedical exam. Approval can happen within hours for some applicants. Every quote shown here indicates whether the carrier will require an exam, may require one depending on your answers, or will waive the exam for that product.
What it changes
Omitting an exam does not mean avoiding thorough underwriting review. The insurer will verify the information you provided, and policies based on false information can be challenged for the first two years. Should the carrier's own records prompt concerns, they may request an exam or testing anyway, and you retain the choice of whether to proceed.
Who tends to qualify
Candidates who are usually under 60, seeking coverage amounts within the carrier's defined threshold, who have no significant health issues, and who have not used tobacco products in the past year or longer. Some insurers will also accept blood work from a recent doctor visit instead of requiring a separate exam.
Should an exam become necessary, a paramedical professional typically visits you at your home or workplace in the Palo Alto area for twenty to thirty minutes, with no charge to you. For applicants in good health, the findings can sometimes lead to a better rate tier, making an exam a potential benefit rather than a burden.