Life insurance is an essential financial planning tool designed to provide financial protection to your loved ones when you pass away. Obtaining a life insurance policy often involves answering health-related questions or even undergoing a medical exam. But what if you prefer not to divulge your health history? Are there life insurance options that do not require you to answer health questions? The answer is yes, and in this article, we'll explore these options in detail and discuss their pros and cons. We'll also touch on companies that offer such products.
What Exams and Health Questions Are Required by Type of Life Insurance?
The table below categorizes life insurance policy types according to exam and health question requirements.
Policy Type | Exam and Health Questions Necessary | Health Questions Only, No Exam Necessary | No Health Questions and No Exam Necessary |
|---|---|---|---|
Term Life Insurance |  | ||
Whole Life Insurance | | ||
Universal Life Insurance | | ||
Variable Life Insurance | | ||
Indexed Universal Life Insurance | | ||
Simplified Issue Life Insurance | | ||
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance | | ||
Group Life Insurance | | Sometimes | |
Final Expense Insurance | | Sometimes | |
Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance | |
Summary:
- Traditional insurance products like term, whole, universal, variable, and indexed universal life insurance typically require a medical exam and health questions.
- Simplified issue life insurance policies do not require a medical exam but do require health questions.
- Guaranteed issue life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance do not require a medical exam or health questions.
- Group life insurance, often offered by employers, typically doesn't require a medical exam but might have some health questions. However, the degree of scrutiny varies from policy to policy; some group plans may not require health questions at all.
- Final expense insurance, designed to cover end-of-life expenses, generally does not require a medical exam but usually has a few health questions. Some specific plans might not require health questions.
Types of Life Insurance Policies without Health Questions
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
Guaranteed issue life insurance is a type of policy that does not require a medical exam or any health-related questions. As the name suggests, the insurer guarantees policy issuance, irrespective of your health status. It's a popular choice for older adults and those with significant health conditions who might otherwise be deemed uninsurable. See our guide to the best guaranteed acceptance life insurance.
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
AD&D insurance, another policy type that does not require health questions, provides a death benefit if the policyholder dies due to an accident. It also provides benefits for specific injuries resulting from an accident.
Some Group Life Insurance Policies
Group life insurance, usually offered through employers or associations, often doesn't require health questions, especially for base coverage.
Final Expense Insurance
Final Expense Insurance, also known as burial or funeral insurance, typically requires no medical exam, and there are versions of these policies that don't require health questions. These policies are designed to cover end-of-life expenses, providing peace of mind for policyholders and their families. See our guide to the best final expense life insurance.
Pros and Cons of No Health Question Life Insurance
Pros
Guaranteed Acceptance
Since health status isn't a factor, nearly everyone is eligible for guaranteed issue life insurance, AD&D insurance, and certain final expense policies. These policies are ideal for individuals with serious health conditions that might disqualify them from traditional life insurance.
Speedy Process
With no health exam or health questions, you bypass the often time-consuming underwriting process of traditional life insurance. This makes the approval process quick, enabling you to obtain coverage in a matter of days, or even hours.
Privacy
If you prefer to keep your health history private or wish to avoid the stress or inconvenience of a medical exam, these policies allow you to do so while still providing the peace of mind of having a life insurance policy.
Cons
Higher Premiums
Since insurers can't assess your health status, they offset the risk by charging higher premiums. Thus, dollar for dollar, these policies are often more expensive compared to traditional life insurance.
Lower Coverage
No health question policies typically offer lower coverage amounts than traditional life insurance. This may be sufficient for covering end-of-life expenses or leaving a small legacy, but might not provide ample protection if you have significant debts or dependents reliant on your income.
Limited Payout Conditions
AD&D insurance, for example, only pays out in cases of accidental death or dismemberment. Therefore, if the policyholder dies of illness or natural causes, no death benefit will be paid out.
Policy Restrictions and Waiting Periods
Many no health question policies, like guaranteed issue and certain final expense insurances, have a "graded death benefit" or "waiting period." This means if the policyholder dies within the first 2-3 years (timeframe varies by policy), the payout may be limited to a return of premiums paid plus interest, rather than the full death benefit. Only accidental death may be covered fully from the policy start date. This restriction can be a significant drawback for individuals looking for immediate full coverage.
Age Restrictions
Many of these policies are marketed towards older adults, often with age restrictions in place. For example, guaranteed issue policies are often only available to individuals within a specific age range, such as 50 to 85 years old.
The Cost of Life Insurance without Health Questions
The cost of a policy for life insurance with no health questions is almost always higher than the cost of a comparable term life policy or simplified issues policy with health questions. See below for the cost of a guaranteed life policy.
Policyholder Age | No Medical Exam Policy Types | Avg (Range) Cost per Month |
|---|---|---|
40 | Term Life: $250k / 10 Year | $16 ($12-$22) |
50 | Term Life: $250k / 10 Year | $35 ($25-$60) |
40 | Term Life: $500k / 20 Year | $38 ($30-$45) |
50 | Term Life: $500k / 20 Year | $91 ($75-$106) |
50 | Guaranteed Acceptance: $25k | $106 ($81-$128) |
60 | Guaranteed Acceptance: $25k | $145 ($120-$173) |
50 | Guaranteed Acceptance: $10k | $50 ($36-$60) |
60 | Guaranteed Acceptance: $10k | $58 ($48-$70) |
Companies Offering Life Insurance without Health Questions
Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha offers a Guaranteed Whole Life Insurance policy for individuals aged 45-85 (in most states). It promises coverage ranging from $2,000 to $25,000 without requiring any health questions or medical exams.
Gerber Life Insurance
The Gerber Life Guaranteed Life Insurance Plan is designed for individuals between the ages of 50 and 80. It provides a death benefit of $5,000 to $25,000 without the need for health questions or a medical exam.
AIG
AIG’s Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance offers $5,000 to $25,000 in coverage for individuals aged 50-85, without any health questions or medical exam requirements.
Haven Life
Haven Life offers a simplified issue term life insurance product called "Haven Simple" which does not require a medical exam and, in some cases, may not require health questions.
Ethos
Ethos, an insurtech company, provides a guaranteed issue policy with no medical exam or health questions necessary.
When Does It Make Sense to Buy Life Insurance with No Health Questions and No Exam?
This type of life insurance may be the right choice for those with serious health conditions that would disqualify them from traditional policies or significantly increase their premiums. Older adults may also find these policies attractive, as traditional policies may be cost-prohibitive or unattainable due to age or health. Finally, if you're seeking speed and convenience in obtaining a policy or wish to avoid medical exams due to personal preference, these policies may be a suitable option.
Who Is the Typical Buyer of This Type of Life Insurance?
Typical buyers are often older adults, people with significant health issues, those looking for fast coverage, or individuals seeking relatively small policies to cover end-of-life expenses.
The Process for Buying This Type of Insurance
Purchasing no health question life insurance is typically a straightforward process. Once you've chosen a provider and policy type, you fill out an application. You'll provide basic personal information, but you won't need to answer any health-related questions or undergo a medical exam. Once the application is submitted and the first premium paid, coverage typically begins immediately.
When to Shop for Insurance That Asks Health Questions
If you're young, in good health, and willing to undergo a medical exam, shopping for traditional life insurance may be a better option. If you have minor health issues, you might still find traditional life insurance to be a cost-effective solution, as insurance companies have different underwriting guidelines and might not rate certain health issues as severely as others.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to life insurance, one size does not fit all. Whether you choose a policy that requires health questions and a medical exam, or one that doesn't, depends on your personal circumstances, health condition, and comfort level. It's always recommended to review your options and consult a professional to find the best fit for your needs.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
