⚡ No-Exam vs Traditional
No-Exam Life Insurance
- ✓ Approval in minutes to days
- ✓ No needles, no nurse visit
- ✗ 10-30% higher premiums
- ✗ Lower coverage limits
Traditional (With Exam)
- ✓ Lowest premiums
- ✓ Highest coverage available
- ✗ 4-6 week approval process
- ✗ Blood draw, urine sample
Types of No-Exam Life Insurance
Accelerated Underwriting
Best ValueUses data (prescription history, DMV records, credit) instead of exam. Same rates as traditional if you qualify. Not everyone gets approved without exam.
Coverage: Up to $3M+ | Premium: Same as exam | Approval: Days
Simplified Issue
No exam, just health questions. If you answer "no" to conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, you're approved. Higher premiums than traditional.
Coverage: $50K-$500K typical | Premium: 15-30% higher | Approval: Minutes to days
Guaranteed Issue
No exam, no health questions. Everyone approved. Highest premiums, lowest coverage. 2-year waiting period for natural death benefits.
Coverage: $5K-$25K | Premium: 3-5x higher | Approval: Instant
Best No-Exam Life Insurance Companies
| Company | Max No-Exam | Type | AM Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haven Life (MassMutual) | $3M | Accelerated | A++ |
| Bestow | $1.5M | Accelerated | A+ |
| Ethos | $2M | Simplified | A |
| Ladder | $3M | Accelerated | A+ |
| Mutual of Omaha | $300K | Simplified | A+ |
Who Should Get No-Exam Insurance?
✓ Good Candidates
- • You're healthy and want fast approval
- • You hate needles or medical procedures
- • You need coverage quickly (new baby, mortgage)
- • You need under $1M coverage
- • Your schedule makes exam visits difficult
✗ Better Off With Exam
- • You're very healthy (exam gets you best rates)
- • You need $2M+ coverage
- • You're not in a hurry
- • You want to save 10-30% on premiums
- • Price is your top priority
FAQs
How do they underwrite without an exam?
Insurers use data from MIB (Medical Information Bureau), prescription databases, your credit report, DMV records, and sometimes electronic health records. If you've filled prescriptions or seen doctors, they likely know your health history.
Can I get denied for no-exam insurance?
For accelerated and simplified issue, yes—you can be denied or required to take an exam. Guaranteed issue never denies anyone, but has lower coverage limits and a 2-year waiting period for full death benefits.
Is no-exam insurance a scam?
Legitimate no-exam insurance from reputable companies (Haven, Bestow, Ladder) is real insurance backed by A-rated carriers. Just be aware you'll pay more than if you took an exam. Avoid TV-advertised "guaranteed acceptance" policies—those are usually very expensive per dollar of coverage.
The Bottom Line
No-exam life insurance trades convenience for cost. Accelerated underwriting (Haven, Ladder, Bestow) offers the best value if you qualify. Simplified issue works for minor health issues. Guaranteed issue is a last resort with high costs. If you're healthy and patient, a traditional exam policy will always save you money.