Health & eligibility
Life insurance without a medical exam
No medical exam usually means you do not need an in-person exam for that policy. It does not automatically mean there are no health questions, no eligibility checks or no waiting period.
Two terms you may see
Simplified issue generally uses health questions and other underwriting information instead of a full medical exam. An insurer may approve, decline or offer different terms based on its rules.
Guaranteed issue generally does not use health questions to determine acceptance within a policy’s eligibility requirements. Age, state and other restrictions still apply. These policies can have limited benefits during an initial period.
Look at an actual policy example
Gerber Life’s published Guaranteed Life information describes a whole life product for eligible adults ages 50 through 80, without a medical exam or health questionnaire. Its graded benefit provisions limit what is payable for non-accidental death during the first two years. State-specific conditions apply.
That is one insurer’s product, not a description of every no-exam policy or a promise that the product is available through this website. Always check the policy being offered to you.
Answer health questions accurately
Read each question carefully and ask the agent to explain anything unclear. A question may refer to a particular diagnosis, treatment or time period rather than your overall sense of health. Do not guess or leave out information to try to obtain a lower price.
Keep a list of current medications and relevant medical history for the application discussion. You do not need to send medical records to our general contact email.
Compare the benefit as carefully as the application
- Does the plan ask health questions or check other information?
- What ages and states are eligible?
- When does the full benefit for natural causes start?
- What is paid if death occurs during a graded-benefit period?
- Can the premium increase, and what must I pay to keep coverage?
Let eligibility guide the comparison
A health condition does not tell the whole story. Different insurers can assess the same situation differently. A licensed agent can explain whether a health-question policy is an option before you choose a guaranteed-issue policy.
Use the survey to begin exploring estimates. The final application and insurer review determine the options and prices actually available.
Sources & further reading
These independent resources explain general concepts. References to an insurer are educational and do not establish a partnership or availability. Policy terms vary.