Life insurance is a financial protection policy that pays out a lump sum (called a death benefit) when the insured person dies.
Life insurance is paid for by monthly premiums and designed to provide financial security for the policyholder’s dependents or other chosen beneficiaries.
The term ‘no medical’ can encompass a few different product types:
Some policies are fully underwritten but simply don’t require a medical examination (bloods, urine etc) unless certain triggers apply (age, large cover, health issues).
Some are “simplified underwriting” – you answer a health / lifestyle questionnaire but no physical exam.
Some are guaranteed acceptance / over-50s life insurance policies: no health questions (or minimal), no medical exam. These are targeted at older applicants and pay out a more modest sum.
So “no medical” doesn’t always mean “no health questions” — you may still need to answer health/lifestyle questions and your cover may be limited.
Yes, it is possible to get life insurance without a medical. However you may not be eligible for all no medical life insurance products: it will depend on your health and any hereditary conditions that run in your family.
Including over 50s life insurance and other whole of life policies
Many of these policies do not require any medical exams and guarantee acceptance. This is the case for all the over 50s life insurance policies available on MoneySuperMarket.
Including family life insurance, mortgage life insurance, and other term policies.
If you are considered low risk and have no severe pre-existing conditions you may be offered a no-medical policy. On MoneySuperMarket these policies will have a 'Buy Now' button next to your quote.
(If you see an 'Apply Now' button instead, that means the insurer needs more information from you first, which could include a medical.)
Because insurers are taking on more risk if they don’t examine you thoroughly up front, “no medical” policy terms can include waiting periods. If you die within the waiting period you will not receive a payout, although your premiums are usually refunded.
Insurers may only impose waiting periods for certain causes of death. Most commonly:
Death by illness is not covered, but death by accident is
Death by suicide or self-harm is not covered
Waiting periods are typically 12-24 months.
No medical life insurance will generally still ask you some health questions when you take out your policy.
You will almost always be asked:
Your age
If you smoke or vape
For term life insurance policies, you will likely also be asked:
If you have any pre-existing conditions
If you have a family history of certain conditions
If you drink, do drugs, are overweight or have a dangerous job
Depending on your needs, there are various types of life insurance cover you can opt for. These include:
Guaranteed life insurance policy for those aged over 50.
These policies tend to offer modest cover — often up to £20,000 or £30,000.
The purpose is often to cover funeral costs, leave a modest legacy, or pay off smaller debts—not to cover a large mortgage.
Covers you for your entire lifetime, not just for a fixed term.
It guarantees a payout whenever you die – as long as you keep paying the premiums.
Over 50s cover is a type of whole of life insurance.
Covers you for a fixed period (the term), and pays out a set lump sum if you die during that time.
Your payout and premiums stay the same throughout – they don’t change with age or inflation.
It’s often used to protect family income, cover living costs, or pay off debts that don’t reduce over time.
A policy that decreases its pay-out as you pay off your debts.
As with level term insurance, if you outlive the policy term, the cover simply ends with no payout.
This type of life insurance is normally tailored to end when your mortgage is paid off.
Convenience: The application process is usually faster and simpler, as it doesn't require a medical exam
Quick approval: You can often receive insurance cover decisions within a few minutes to a few days
Accessibility: It's a good option for those who are young and/or in good health
Immediate cover: Some policies can provide cover almost immediately after approval
Less stressful: Avoiding medical exams can reduce anxiety for some applicants
Higher premiums: Policies without medical exams often have higher premiums compared to traditional life insurance
Limited cover amounts: these policies may have lower maximum cover limits
Exclusions and limitations: Some may come with more exclusions or stricter terms
Underwriting questions: You may still need to answer health-related questions, which could lead to denial or higher rates
Factors that impact the cost of no medical life insurance include:
The older you are, the more expensive your premiums are likely to be because there is a higher risk of a claim being made on the policy.
If your job involves substantial hazards or poses a risk to your health, it's likely to increase the price of your policy. If you are a firefighter, for example, your premium is likely to be higher than someone employed as a librarian.
A policy which offers a bigger final payout will generally require bigger payments from you.
Prices are also linked to the expected length of the policy, with a shorter policy usually requiring higher premiums.
Different insurers charge different amounts for life insurance, and offer different inclusions, exclusions and add-ons.
Shopping around and comparing quotes is one of the best ways to find the best deal out there for the specific product you want.
The cost of no medical life insurance depends on your personal circumstances and the type of policy you choose.
On MoneySuperMarket, term life insurance policies start from £5.93
If you want to add additional protection it will cost more. For example, the average price of life insurance with critical illness cover is £32.73
Over 50s life insurance usually costs more than term life cover, as it’s often taken out by older customers or those with existing health conditions.
If there are some inconsistencies in your policy, it may lead to your policy being invalidated.
It's important to ensure your cover type and level of cover meets your needs.
Payouts can be denied if you weren't up to date on paying your premiums. Your policy should be affordable over the long term.
You can use our life insurance calculator to help you figure out what payout you'd need to be to meet your family's needs.
Putting your policy in trust can ensure that any payouts made on your life insurance policy will not be subject to inheritance tax.
Life insurance policies are a long-term commitment. It’s worth looking beyond price, and comparing inclusions and reviews.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), protection insurers paid out a record £8 billion in individual and group life, critical illness and income protection claims in 2024, showing how vital this cover can be.
Choosing no medical life insurance can be a smart move for someone in good health who wants a faster application and simpler underwriting. Because insurers don’t require full medical checks, cover can often be issued within days. But remember, higher premiums or tighter payout limits may apply.
Lucas Mansilla Life & Health Insurance Expert
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Yes, you can get no medical life insurance even if you have a pre-existing condition, although your options may be more limited.
For example, over 50s life insurance is designed to provide guaranteed acceptance without the need for a medical exam or detailed health questionnaire. As long as you’re within the eligible age range — typically 50 to 80 years old - you’ll be accepted regardless of your medical history. These policies are popular with people who have ongoing health conditions or who may struggle to get traditional life insurance.
If you’re under 50 or want a higher level of cover, it’s still worth exploring traditional life insurance options if you have a pre-existing condition. Many insurers now take a more flexible approach to medical conditions, and if your health issue is well managed, you could still get cover at an affordable price.
Even if you’re asked to complete a short medical or provide health details, this could be worth it to be able to access a wider choice of policies and more competitive premiums.
Yes, there is usually a limit as to how much life insurance cover you can get without a medical. In the UK the limit is normally £250,000–£500,000, depending on the insurer. Over that, insurers often request a medical or GP report.
While most people who apply for cover won't need a medical, everyone's applications are looked at individually. If you are asked for a medical, this just means your insurer would like to learn more about your health risks and history while assessing your application.
Insurers ask for a medical so they can get more information about any current or previous treatments you've had and any medical conditions in your family. Many life insurance policies also ask health and lifestyle questions such as if you're a smoker and how much you drink before you get cover.
Being asked for a medical does not mean your application won't be accepted.
A life insurance medical exam typically involves a questionnaire which asks questions about your diet, lifestyle, family medical history, and more.
This is followed by a physical exam, which checks your vital signs, including your height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rhythm. They may also take a urine sample or perform a blood test.
Depending on your health history, the medical professional may perform additional tests, such as a smoker test, HIV test, or an electrocardiogram (ECG). For example, if you have asthma, they may test your peak flow.
The exam is usually arranged through the insurer and takes place at a location near your home or workplace.
A medical exam usually involves detailed questions about your health and lifestyle asked by your doctor and will include a full body examination including your heart, blood pressure and a urine test.
Your life insurance provider can only access your medical records with your permission. If you have not authorised them to look at your records, they cannot see them. However, if you don't give your chosen insurer permission when they ask for any medical records for your policy, your policy application may be declined.
It is also important to disclose any important information regarding your health to your insurer as failing to disclose information honestly may result in your policy getting rejected or invalidated.
If you don't answer life insurance questions correctly or truthfully, your policy may be invalidated. This means that your insurer may not pay out a claim, your policy may be cancelled, or you may be declined at the application stage.
Insurers need to know the relevant information to calculate the risk of insuring you and the cost. They will check the answers you provide, and if you don't disclose something, they may not pay out. For example, if you don't mention a medical condition, your insurer may not pay out if a claim is made.
Medical underwriting in life insurance means your insurer uses information about your health and medical history to assess how much of a risk you present to insure.
This process helps them decide whether to offer you a policy, how much cover to provide, and what premium to charge. It may involve answering health questions, sharing details of existing conditions, or taking a medical exam, depending on the insurer and the level of cover you’re applying for.
An over 50s life insurance policy can be worth it if you want guaranteed acceptance and a simple way to leave money for loved ones or cover funeral costs. It’s especially useful if you have health conditions that make standard life insurance harder to get.
However, there are a few trade-offs to be aware of. Premiums for over 50s life insurance are generally higher, and the payout amount may be lower than with standard policies. Most also include an initial waiting period - often one or two years - during which your loved ones wouldn’t receive the full payout if you die of natural causes.
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Reviewed on 15 Dec 2025 by
Data based on the 10th Percentile price of life insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for life insurance only in December 2025.
Data based on the median price of life insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for life insurance only in December 2025.
Data based on the median price of life insurance sold through MoneySuperMarket for life insurance and critical illness cover in December 2025.
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
The number of providers for life insurance in November 2025
