What is life insurance with no medical exam?

No medical life insurance is a life insurance plan that doesn't require you to take a medical examination as part of the application. Some policies, such as over-50s life insurance, guarantee that you’ll be accepted without a medical, while others use simplified underwriting. You’ll still be asked some health and lifestyle questions, such as your age and smoker status, to help insurers assess your application.

Life insurance policies that don’t require a medical exam in the UK are often designed for people who may find it harder to get cover through fully underwritten policies, including those with existing medical conditions or those applying later in life. These policies typically offer lower levels of cover and require premiums to be paid for the duration of the policy, which may be for life depending on the type of cover chosen.

In addition to over 50 plans, some standard life insurance, can also be purchased without a medical examination. When you apply, you’ll still be asked a series of questions about your age, health and lifestyle. The answers to these questions will determine whether you need a medical examination.

How does life insurance with no medical exam work?

To understand how it works, you’ll need to know a bit about UK underwriting. Underwriting helps insurance companies assess the likelihood of a claim being made on your policy.

Insurance companies use sophisticated underwriting systems to determine your risk of death. So, when you apply for any life insurance you’ll be asked questions about your health and lifestyle. Using questionnaires, medical databases and GP reports, the insurance company can work out whether to insure you or not.

No medical life insurance is different to standard life insurance in that it guarantees that you won't need to go for a medical exam.

The application process is usually quite straightforward, and approval can be given in a shorter period of time. However, insurers usually impose a waiting period on making a claim. So, your loved ones typically won't receive a payout if you die within the first 12-24 months of the policy, but this depends on the provider. Many providers will instead return any premiums paid during this time.

Here’s how a standard life insurance policy and no medical life insurance policy compare.

What information is required for life insurance with no medical exam?

Even though you won't need to have a medical examination with this type of insurance, it’s likely that you’ll still be asked questions about your health and lifestyle. These could include questions about:

• your age, occupation and where you live
• your height and weight
• current and past medical conditions
• family medical history
• your general health and wellbeing now
• smoking, vaping and drinking habits

What types of life insurance are available with no medical exams?

You don't have to choose a specific no medical type of life insurance policy to avoid a medical examination. Other insurance policies are available without a medical as well.

Term life insurance

With this insurance, you choose how long your cover lasts, from five to 50 years. This is known as the ‘term’. It’s often used to cover financial commitments such as:

• mortgage and rent payments
• household bills and day-to-day expenses
• childcare or education costs.

Many insurers use simplified underwriting for term life insurance, which tends to mean there are fewer questions to answer and often no need for a medical examination, but this depends on age, health and cover amount.

The application process relies on you self-reporting any medical issues. Unless you’re over 50, have a complicated medical history or want a large payout, you can often get term life insurance without a medical examination. If you’re young, healthy, and don’t smoke, it’s unlikely you’ll be asked to go for a medical exam.

You can also get a higher level of cover compared to an over 50s plan and make changes to your cover as your circumstances change.

Whole of life insurance

This is a type of life insurance that’s guaranteed to pay out whenever you die, as long as you keep paying your premiums. Unlike term insurance, it doesn't have an end date, so, it offers cover for the whole of your life. While over-50s life insurance is a type of whole of life policy that guarantees acceptance within the eligible age range, other policies use underwriting to assess your application. 

Some whole of life policies also offer simplified underwriting. Health questions are kept to a minimum, and existing conditions are self-reported, but acceptance is not guaranteed.

These policies typically offer higher levels of cover than over-50s plans and are often used to help leave a legacy to family, cover funeral costs or support inheritance tax planning. Premiums are usually higher than term life insurance and are paid for life, so it’s important to consider the long-term cost. 

Over 50s life insurance

This insurance pays out a lump sum of money to your loved ones when you die. These types of plans are usually only available to people aged 50-80. You pay a fixed premium each month and you’re guaranteed to have your application accepted whatever your health is like, provided you meet the age criteria. 

Most over-50s plans include a waiting period, during which a full payout does not apply. Because of this, the payouts tend to be modest, and premiums can be higher relative to standard life insurance policies.

Over 50s life insurance is ideal if you want to make sure you leave some money towards your funeral costs, pay off small debts or leave a sum to family or a charity. 

Because premiums are paid for life and the payout is fixed, it’s possible to pay in more than is paid out, particularly if you live for a long time. Some providers cap the length of time you pay premiums at 30 years or when you reach 90 for example.

Premiums are also typically higher for plans that do not require a medical exam or full underwriting, because the insurer is taking on more risk with less detailed medical information at the point of application.

Who is eligible for life insurance with no medical exam?

A wide range of applicants could be eligible for life insurance without having to take a medical exam, subject to the insurer’s terms and conditions of course. Including:

• People with serious pre-existing health conditions. They may not get cover with standard life insurance.
• Older applicants. Especially those over 50 who worry that standard life insurance premiums may be too expensive.
• Those with a fear of medical examinations.
• Applicants who only want a modest amount of cover.
• Younger applicants.
• Individuals who’ve been declined standard life insurance.

Is life insurance with no medical exam a good option for seniors or high-risk applicants?

No medical life insurance policies, especially over 50s life insurance policies, can provide peace of mind for older applicants and those with serious health issues who meet the age criteria. These people may struggle to find cover or be able to afford standard life insurance cover.

But bear in mind that cover limits tend to be lower, so you can take out less cover with an over 50s plan than you can with a standard life insurance policy, and premiums are also typically higher for over 50s plans.

It may be worth exploring your options for cover with a standard life insurance policy before taking out a no medical policy.

How do insurers determine eligibility for life insurance with no medical exam?

Eligibility for life insurance without a medical exam depends on the type of policy you choose.

For policies that use simplified underwriting, insurers will usually assess your application based on the information you provide, such as your age, health, lifestyle and smoking status. Based on this, they’ll decide whether to offer cover and on what terms.

For over 50s life insurance, some plans may offer guaranteed acceptance if you meet the provider’s eligibility criteria, such as being within a set age range and meeting residency requirements. However, this doesn’t apply to all no medical exam policies, and terms can vary between providers.

What are the pros and cons of life insurance with no medical exam? 

There’s no right and wrong when it comes to life insurance. It’s what works best for you from the options available. 

The advantages of getting life insurance with no medical exam

Easy application. The application process is more straightforward than standard life insurance. There are usually fewer questions, which makes the application quick to complete.  

Quicker cover. With many plans, you’ll receive a decision quickly once the application is complete. This means your cover can be in place quickly subject to acceptance, underwriting checks and policy terms.

Medical history not a problem. Over 50s cover is available for those with existing conditions. It’s also an option for people who don't like being examined.

Peace of mind. With some plans you’re guaranteed to be accepted, if you meet the eligible age range.

Read more: Benefits of life insurance 

What are the disadvantages of not having a medical exam when applying for life insurance?

Cost of premiums. Premiums may be higher on a like for like basis compared with policies that are fully underwritten.

Lower cover. There’s often a lower maximum amount that an insurance company will cover you for with a no medical policy.
 
Waiting periods. With over 50s policies in particular, your family won't be able to make a claim in the first year of having the policy. However, your loved ones may get back the premiums you’ve already paid out. 

Limited flexibility. Over 50s policies won’t usually allow you to make changes once they’re set up. 

How much coverage can you get with life insurance with no medical exam?

Generally speaking, you won't be able to get as much life insurance cover with plans that guarantee you don't need to have a medical examination. 

With standard life insurance policies, you can get cover of up to £10 million as long as you fulfil the criteria for acceptance. This level of cover would always require a medical examination though to make sure the insurance company wasn’t taking on too much risk.

No medical exam policies typically offer lower levels of cover, with payout limits varying by provider and policy type. 

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Alternatives to no medical life insurance

No medical life insurance offers a way for people with health issues or a restricted budget to get cover, but it has its limitations. Other insurance options that take you through the full underwriting process are available, even for people with existing medical conditions. Options to consider include:

Term life insurance. An option worth considering if you are under 50 or have a medical condition that’s well controlled. Pays out a lump sum within the term of the policy.

Serious illness cover. Pays out a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness. Such as cancer, heart attack or stroke.  Once the lump sum has been paid out, the cover will end. 

Read more: Serious illness cover explained

Income protection insurance. If you can’t work because of illness or injury, income protection insurance provides a replacement income. It helps to meet your living expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, and utility bills.

Read more: Income protection insurance explained

Death in service benefit. A life insurance payout provided by employers for their employees. If you die while you're employed by your company, your loved ones will receive a lump sum payout. The amount is usually a multiple of your salary.

Read more: Death in service benefit explained

Accidental death benefit. Provides a lump sum payout if you die because of an accident. It’s not as comprehensive as standard life insurance but tends to be cheaper. 

Key takeaways

• No medical life insurance is a life insurance plan that doesn't require you to take a medical examination before they offer you cover. But you’ll still be asked some health and lifestyle questions, such as your age and smoker status.
• No medical life insurance, like over 50s plans, can provide access to cover for people with existing medical conditions, but often comes with higher premiums and lower cover limits compared to standard life insurance.
• Some standard life insurance can also be purchased without a medical examination. Many insurers use simplified underwriting for term life insurance, which tends to mean there are fewer questions to answer and often no need for a medical examination.

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