Life insurance without a medical
Insurers will want to know about your health – but you don’t always need a full medical checkup
What is no medical life insurance?
No-medical life insurance is a life insurance policy that won’t ask you to get a full medical exam with a GP before you’re accepted for cover. Many people assume you’ll always be asked to have a checkup before you can get insurance – but in fact there are some situations in which you can get protected without a medical.
In general, the two main cases in which you can get life insurance without a medical are if you pose a very low risk (or if you’re buying a ‘guaranteed acceptance’) or whole-of-life life insurance policy. With a ‘guaranteed acceptance’ policy, you also won’t be asked any medical questions when you take out insurance.
Do I need a medical for life insurance?
You’re likely to need a medical for life insurance if you pose a high risk – so if you’re older, or if you have a pre-existing condition or a less healthy lifestyle. If you pose a low risk, you might be able to get insurance without going through a medical examination.
Insurers will usually decide who needs a medical exam for life insurance on a case-by-case basis, and every insurer has different criteria. But in general, you’re less likely to be asked to take a medical in these cases:
You’re young. Younger people are more likely to get life insurance without a medical, as they pose a lower risk to insurers
You’re in good health. If you don’t smoke, don’t drink excessively, have a healthy BMI, and don’t suffer from any pre-existing medical conditions, insurers are more likely to let you skip the medical
Your family is healthy. If you have a family history of certain illnesses, insurers will want you to take a medical, just to make sure
If you are asked to complete a medical, don’t worry – it doesn’t mean you’ll be refused cover. In most cases, it just means your insurer wants to know a little more about your health to help them calculate your premiums. Your insurer will cover the cost of the checkup.
Can I get life insurance without answering medical questions?
When you buy an ordinary life insurance policy, you’ll always have to answer a few questions about your health. That way, your insurer will know whether they need you to go in for a medical exam. However, there are some types of life insurance that you get with no medical questions.
These policies are usually known as ‘guaranteed acceptance’ or whole-of-life insurance. This type of life insurance doesn’t have a time limit – it lasts as long as you keep paying premiums, and the value goes up over time. However, your premiums are usually much higher, since it’s guaranteed that your insurer will have to pay out on your policy sooner or later. You can read more about whole-of-life insurance in our guide.
If you’re not taking out whole-of-life insurance, it’s extremely important that you answer the medical questionnaire accurately. Even if you think you could save money by omitting some details – like your smoking habits or alcohol intake – you could be hurting your loved ones after you’re gone.
If you’re not completely honest with your insurer, it’s likely your policy will be invalidated. This means your insurer will refuse to pay out to your survivors.
Where can I get a good deal on life insurance?
The best way to get a great deal on life insurance is to shop around by using a price comparison site like MoneySuperMarket. By comparing prices, you’ll never miss out on a cheaper quote, and our price comparison tool puts dozens of the UK’s leading providers at your fingertips.