Jeffrey Wade
Life insurance medical exams are a standard part of the application process for life insurance. The exam is similar to an annual physical, and the insurer will use the results to determine the cost of your insurance. The exam will be carried out by a technician, who will come to your home or office, and will take around 30 minutes. The technician will check your height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, and also take blood and urine samples. The results of the exam will confirm your health status and help the insurer evaluate your overall risk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Similarity to annual physical | A life insurance medical exam is similar to a routine physical examination. |
| Cost | The insurance company typically schedules the exam and covers the cost. |
| Location | The exam can be taken at a doctor's office, or a paramedical company might administer the test at home or in the workplace. |
| Tests included | Common tests include cognitive ability testing and treadmill stress tests. Examiners also take blood and urine samples. |
| Paperwork | Medical examiners ask about medical history, illnesses that run in the family, and recent health history. |
| Purpose | Insurance companies require a medical exam to determine an individual's health and mortality risk, and the results can affect coverage eligibility and premium. |
What You'll Learn
The medical exam is similar to an annual checkup
The medical exam for life insurance is similar to an annual checkup. The insurer will send an examiner to your home or workplace. They will measure your height, weight, and blood pressure and take a blood and urine sample. The results of the exam will confirm your health status and help the insurer evaluate your overall risk. The insurer will use this information to set the price of your insurance. If the insurer feels confident that you’ll outlive the policy, your insurance will be cheaper. If you’re more likely to die while the policy is active, your insurance will be more expensive.
The medical exam usually takes 15 to 45 minutes and consists of two parts: a questionnaire and a physical exam. The questionnaire will cover your medical history, current and previous doctors' contact information, details of current diagnoses, and recent doctor visits. The physical exam will record your weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and vitals, including your pulse and blood pressure. Depending on your circumstances and the insurer's requirements, you may also have an electrocardiogram (EKG), treadmill stress test, or cognitive ability test.
You can take some steps to prepare for your medical exam and improve your results. These include staying well-hydrated, fasting for four to eight hours before the exam, avoiding physical exercise for 12 hours beforehand, refraining from consuming alcohol for 12 hours beforehand, and avoiding caffeine and nicotine for an hour before the exam. Getting a good night's sleep may also help reduce any anxiety-related increases in blood pressure. You should also limit your salt and high-fat food intake in the hour before the exam.
The life insurance medical exam is a routine part of applying for life insurance. It helps the insurer assess your health and determine your premiums. The exam is quick and convenient and can be completed in your home or office.
Cash Value Life Insurance: Scam or Smart Investment?
You may want to see also
The insurer will send an examiner to your home or workplace
The examiner will usually contact you to schedule the appointment at a convenient time and location. The whole process typically takes around 30 minutes and includes two parts: a verbal questionnaire and a physical examination.
To prepare for the medical exam, it is recommended to stay well-hydrated, fast for at least six hours beforehand, wear lightweight clothing, and avoid strenuous exercise, caffeine, and nicotine. Improving your health before the exam, such as quitting smoking, can also help lower your premiums.
MIB Reporting: Life Insurance Turn Downs
You may want to see also
They'll measure your height, weight, and blood pressure
During a life insurance medical exam, a technician will usually check your height, weight, and blood pressure. This is part of a broader physical examination, which may also include a blood test, urine sample, electrocardiogram (EKG), stress test, and/or chest X-ray. The specific tests included in your medical checkup will vary based on your age and the insurance company you're shopping with.
The height, weight, and blood pressure measurements are used to assess your overall health and determine your risk class and life insurance cost. Life insurance companies use height and weight underwriting guidelines to help determine your rate class. These guidelines may differ among insurance companies, but they are important factors that insurers use to calculate your risk as a policyholder.
Your height and weight are used to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI), which is then compared to the insurer's "build chart" to determine how your BMI will affect your eligibility and rate. While being overweight does not automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance, it might affect your rate and the type of policy you qualify for. If you are overweight and have other health complications, you may pay more for coverage.
Your blood pressure is another important indicator of your overall health. High blood pressure can lead to serious health issues, such as cardiac conditions and stroke. If you have chronic high blood pressure, it is important to manage this condition with the help of a medical professional. There are also several things you can do to lower your blood pressure, such as eating less salt, maintaining a healthy weight, relieving stress, limiting your alcohol and caffeine intake, and performing regular aerobic exercise.
In summary, your height, weight, and blood pressure are important measurements taken during a life insurance physical examination. These measurements are used to assess your overall health, calculate your BMI, and determine your risk class and insurance cost. While being overweight may impact your insurance rate, it does not automatically disqualify you from coverage. Additionally, managing your blood pressure through lifestyle changes and medical care is important for maintaining your overall health and potentially reducing your insurance costs.
Life Insurance with Kidney Disease: What Are Your Options?
You may want to see also
The examiner will take a blood and urine sample
The blood and urine tests are a standard part of the life insurance physical and are used to help insurance companies assess your health, confirm the information on your application, and screen for illegal drug use. The tests are usually quick, taking less than 30 minutes, and can be done at your home, workplace, or a local exam center.
To prepare for the blood and urine tests, it is recommended that you get a good night's sleep, drink plenty of water, and wear comfortable clothing. You should also be prepared to answer any questions about your health and medical history. It is important to answer all questions honestly, even if they make you uncomfortable, as this can affect your coverage.
Life Insurance Surrender: Tax Implications and You
You may want to see also
The results will help the insurer evaluate your overall risk
The results of the life insurance medical exam will help the insurer determine your health and, consequently, your mortality risk. The exam will record your height, weight, pulse, blood pressure, and blood and urine samples. The insurer will use these results to evaluate your overall risk and determine your insurance cost. The healthier your lifestyle, the cheaper your rate is likely to be.
The life insurance medical exam will test for any potential health risk to better evaluate your life insurance premiums. The results will be passed to the insurance company and the underwriter, who will make a risk assessment and place the applicant into an underwriting class or category. The insurer will be looking to understand the following:
- Overall health status
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Prescriptions and drug use
- Other lifestyle factors
The results of your medical exam for life insurance are crucial to obtaining affordable life insurance rates. Your exam results should confirm what you've already reported on your application. In addition, unfavorable results, like a high blood pressure reading, will likely result in higher rates.
Life Insurance: A Necessary Protection or Guilt Trip?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The life insurance physical exam is similar to an annual physical exam. It involves recording your height, weight, blood pressure and heart rate, and taking blood and urine samples. Depending on your age and the insurance company's requirements, you may also have to undergo an electrocardiogram (EKG), treadmill stress test, and/or cognitive ability test.
There are a few things you can do to prepare for the life insurance physical exam, including staying well-hydrated, fasting for 4-8 hours, avoiding physical exercise, alcohol, caffeine and nicotine, and getting a good night's sleep.
Doing well on the life insurance physical exam can lead to lower life insurance rates. The healthier you are, the cheaper your rate is likely to be.
If you do poorly on the life insurance physical exam, you may face higher premiums or, in severe cases, a declined application.
Yes, it is possible to get life insurance without doing the physical exam. Some insurance companies offer no-medical-exam policies, which use previous medical records instead of a physical exam. However, these policies generally have lower payouts and higher premiums.
