Many people are put off life insurance by the thought that they will be examined from head to toe anyway. The reality is friendlier than that: a large share of policies today are issued without an exam, on the basis of the declaration alone - the medical exam is a tool for specific situations, not a basic requirement.
- An exam is typically needed for a larger sum assured, at a higher age, or following certain declaration answers.
- The exam is typically organized and paid for by the insurer - at a contracted clinic, and quickly.
- The exam is not the enemy: it gives a more accurate picture and results in a policy that's harder to dispute.
When does the insurer ask for one?
- Above a cover threshold: the larger the amount involved, the more thorough the sizing - the thresholds vary between insurers.
- By age: at a higher entry age, the exam thresholds are typically lower: taking out cover over 50.
- Following the declaration: certain answers may call for a targeted additional exam - this is a tool for getting a clearer picture, not a bad sign: with an existing condition.
What happens at the exam?
The round is typically general: a questionnaire, a physical exam, blood pressure, a lab test - for a larger amount, an ECG or a targeted test may also be included. The exam is carried out by the insurer's contracted partner, the cost is typically covered by the insurer, and the appointment can usually be arranged flexibly. The results go directly to the insurer's medical expert: the path the data takes.
How should you prepare?
As for any lab test: in the days before the exam avoid unusual exertion, follow any fasting instructions, take your medication on your normal schedule, and bring your medication list and recent test results with you. The goal isn't to "perform well", it's an accurate picture - the exam precisely reduces the chance of anything being disputable later.
Routes without an exam
If you'd rather avoid an exam altogether, smaller-amount policies with simplified underwriting typically offer a way forward - bearing in mind that the price of simplicity can be narrower or more expensive cover. The good news: the table helps here too, setting out the exam thresholds and the simplified routes across offers side by side: let's talk it through.
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