What You Can Expect in a Life Insurance Health Exam
February 28, 2022 | Tom Peterson
If you need to increase your life insurance coverage outside of an enrollment period or above set coverage limits, you may have to undergo a life insurance health exam. That may sound intimidating, but it probably won’t be as bad as you think – especially if you know what to expect. To make it easier, we’re sharing tips on what you can expect in a life insurance medical exam.
What is a Life Insurance Health Exam?
Life insurance companies use underwriting to accurately price life insurance policies, both to protect themselves financially and to ensure that applicants aren’t overcharged. Generally, healthier people get lower insurance rates, while people who are older and have health conditions may have to pay more.
Read: Who Should Buy Life Insurance Coverage?
A life insurance exam begins with questions about your medical history as well as your immediate family’s health history. You may also be asked about your driving record, prescriptions you take, your hobbies and interests, and any plans for international travel.
Then, if your policy requires full underwriting, you will most likely have to undergo a medical exam. This will verify the information you’ve provided, and identify any health conditions that may affect your coverage and costs.
What to Expect in a Life Insurance Exam
A life insurance health exam usually takes less than an hour, and is fairly noninvasive. You will be asked information about your medical history, including the following.
- Medical conditions and when each was diagnosed. You will be asked about the treatment and outcome, and contact information for the treating physician.
- Medications and dosages, both past and present.
- Contact information of medical providers that have treated you in the last five years.
During your exam, your height, weight, and blood pressure will be measured. You may have to give a urine sample and have blood drawn. These will test for blood sugar, cholesterol, and drug and nicotine use.
Read: How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
Depending on your age and your policy amount, you may have to undergo additional tests such as an electrocardiogram, treadmill stress test, or cognitive exam.
Do you have questions about life insurance coverage? Give our licensed insurance agents a call!
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Source: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/life-insurance/medical-exam/