No-Exam Life Insurance: Is It Worth It? (2026 Guide)

You Can Get Life Insurance Without a Medical Exam

For decades, buying life insurance meant scheduling a paramedical exam — blood draws, urine samples, blood pressure checks — at your home. For many people, this was the single biggest reason they never got around to buying a policy.

That has changed. Today, millions of Americans qualify for coverage without a medical exam. Whether you have a health condition, fear needles, or just need coverage fast, no-exam life insurance offers a real path to protection. But convenience comes at a price — higher premiums, lower limits, and restrictions that traditional policies do not carry. This guide covers every type so you can decide whether the trade-offs make sense.

What Is No-Exam Life Insurance?

No-exam life insurance is an umbrella term for any policy that does not require a traditional paramedical examination. Instead of blood work and in-person screenings, these policies use health questionnaires, prescription drug databases, motor vehicle records, electronic health records, and data analytics to assess risk.

The term covers a wide spectrum. On one end, accelerated underwriting programs offer the same rates as traditional policies — they just use technology to skip the exam. On the other, guaranteed issue policies accept everyone but come with steep limitations. A $1 million accelerated underwriting policy is a fundamentally different product from a $25,000 guaranteed issue policy, even though both are technically no-exam.

Types of No-Exam Life Insurance

There are three main categories, and they differ significantly in cost, coverage limits, and how they evaluate applicants.

Simplified Issue Life Insurance

Simplified issue replaces the medical exam with a health questionnaire. You answer yes-or-no questions about conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, and whether you use tobacco. The insurer also pulls third-party data — prescription history, motor vehicle records, and the Medical Information Bureau database — to verify your answers and assess risk.

The trade-off is cost. Simplified issue premiums run 15% to 30% higher than fully underwritten policies because the insurer accepts more risk without lab results. Coverage caps at $250,000 to $500,000 depending on the carrier. Approval decisions come within minutes to a few days, making this a solid middle ground between speed and affordability.

Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance

Guaranteed issue is the most accessible option. There are no health questions, no exam, and no underwriting. If you meet the age requirements (typically 50 to 85) and can pay the premium, you are approved. This makes it the last resort for people who cannot qualify for anything else due to serious health conditions.

The limitations are significant. Coverage caps at $5,000 to $25,000 — enough for final expenses, not income replacement. Premiums are the highest per dollar of any life insurance type. Most critically, guaranteed issue includes a graded death benefit with a two- to three-year waiting period. If you die from natural causes during that window, beneficiaries receive only a return of premiums paid plus interest, not the full face value. Accidental death is typically covered in full from day one.

Accelerated Underwriting

Accelerated underwriting uses algorithms, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to evaluate applicants in real time. The technology analyzes your health history, prescription records, driving record, and credit information to build a risk profile that can be as accurate as a traditional exam.

The key advantage is that approved applicants receive the same rates as traditional fully underwritten policies — no premium penalty for skipping the exam. Coverage can reach $1 million or more. The catch is that only about 30% to 50% of applicants qualify on initial application. The rest are routed to traditional underwriting with an exam. Factors like age over 50 to 60, high coverage amounts, or complex medical history can disqualify you from the accelerated path.

Pros of No-Exam Life Insurance

Speed of approval. Traditional policies take four to eight weeks. No-exam coverage can be approved in 20 minutes with accelerated underwriting or a few days with simplified issue.
Convenience. No scheduling a nurse visit, no fasting, no time off work. The entire process can be completed online in a single sitting.
Privacy. No-exam options involve less intimate health data collection — no blood work or urine samples on file with an insurer.
Accessibility. People with pre-existing conditions like elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol, or obesity have a path to coverage that a traditional exam might complicate or prevent.
No needle anxiety. Fear of needles affects an estimated 20% to 25% of adults. No-exam insurance removes that barrier entirely.

Cons of No-Exam Life Insurance

Higher premiums. Simplified issue costs 15% to 30% more than traditional policies. Guaranteed issue can cost two to three times as much per dollar of coverage.
Lower coverage limits. Simplified issue caps at $250,000 to $500,000. Guaranteed issue maxes out at $25,000. These amounts may fall short for income replacement.
Graded death benefits. Guaranteed issue policies include a two- to three-year waiting period where your beneficiaries would not receive the full payout for natural-cause deaths.
Less competitive rates for healthy applicants. A traditional exam earns you preferred or preferred plus rates that can be 30% to 50% lower than standard. Healthy people leave money on the table with simplified issue.
Denial risk on simplified issue. Unlike guaranteed issue, simplified issue can deny your application based on health questions or third-party data findings.

Cost Comparison: No-Exam vs. Traditional Life Insurance

Here is a side-by-side look at approximate monthly premiums for a $250,000 20-year term policy for a healthy 40-year-old non-smoker.

Traditional fully underwritten (with medical exam):

Preferred Plus: approximately $22 to $28 per month
Standard: approximately $30 to $40 per month

Accelerated underwriting (no exam, algorithm-based):

Approved applicants: approximately $22 to $40 per month (same as traditional)

Simplified issue (no exam, health questionnaire):

Approximately $38 to $55 per month (15% to 30% higher)

Guaranteed issue (no exam, no health questions):

Not available at $250,000 — coverage caps at $25,000
For a $25,000 whole life policy at age 40: approximately $70 to $110 per month

Over 20 years, choosing simplified issue over traditional underwriting costs an additional $2,400 to $4,800 in total premiums for the same $250,000 coverage. That said, if your health would result in a substandard rating on a traditional exam, simplified issue could save you money or be the only way to get covered.

Who Should Consider No-Exam Life Insurance

People who need coverage immediately. If you are closing on a home or finalizing a divorce and need a policy in days, not weeks, no-exam gets you covered while traditional underwriting is still processing paperwork.
People with moderate health conditions. Controlled high blood pressure, managed Type 2 diabetes, or treated depression may trigger substandard ratings on a traditional exam. Simplified issue evaluates your overall profile without lab-level detail.
Older adults seeking final expense coverage. For people 60 and older who need $10,000 to $25,000 for funeral and end-of-life costs, guaranteed issue may be the most practical option when health conditions rule out other coverage.
Busy professionals. Scheduling a fasting exam during work hours is a genuine barrier for many people. An entirely online process eliminates the logistical friction that keeps millions uninsured.
People previously declined by other insurers. Guaranteed issue accepts everyone. The amounts are smaller and costs higher, but some coverage is better than none.
People with needle phobia. Trypanophobia is real, common, and severe enough for some adults to avoid any procedure involving a blood draw. No-exam insurance removes that obstacle entirely.

Who Should Still Get a Medical Exam

You are in excellent health. If you exercise regularly, do not smoke, and have normal blood pressure and cholesterol, a medical exam earns you Preferred Plus rates that are 30% to 50% lower than standard — savings that compound over the full policy term.
You need high coverage amounts. If you need $500,000 or more for income replacement or mortgage protection, traditional underwriting gives you access to higher limits at lower rates than simplified issue.
You are budget-conscious and can wait. The four- to eight-week traditional process almost always produces a more competitive rate. Those weeks of patience can mean decades of lower premiums.
You are young with a long time horizon. If you are in your 20s or 30s buying a 20- or 30-year term, even a small rate difference adds up substantially. A traditional exam locks in the best rate when your health is at its peak.

Top Companies Offering No-Exam Life Insurance

Haven Life. Backed by MassMutual, Haven Life offers term policies up to $3 million with accelerated underwriting. Qualified applicants get a decision in minutes at rates matching traditional underwriting.

Bestow. An insurtech offering simplified issue term life from $50,000 to $1.5 million entirely online. Applications take about five minutes with instant decisions for many applicants. Policies are issued by North American Company for Life and Health Insurance.

Ethos. Offers both term and whole life no-exam policies up to $2 million through partnerships with multiple carriers. Uses a proprietary algorithm to match applicants with the best-fit product.

Prudential. Offers accelerated underwriting for term and permanent coverage. Brings the financial strength and stability ratings of a Fortune 500 carrier to the no-exam market.

Mutual of Omaha. A major player in guaranteed issue, offering whole life policies up to $25,000 with no health questions. Known for straightforward products and strong customer service.

Globe Life. Specializes in simplified and guaranteed issue coverage from $5,000 to $100,000 marketed directly to consumers through mail and television. A solid option for modest final expense or supplemental coverage.

How to Apply for No-Exam Life Insurance

Determine your coverage needs. Add up debts, years of income to replace, education costs, and final expenses. A common starting point is 10 to 15 times your annual income.
Choose your policy type. If you are healthy, start with accelerated underwriting for the best rates. If you have health conditions, try simplified issue. If you have been declined elsewhere, guaranteed issue is your fallback.
Get quotes from multiple carriers. Premiums vary significantly between companies. Get at least three to five quotes and compare not just price but carrier ratings, coverage limits, and policy restrictions.
Complete the application. Most no-exam applications are completed entirely online. Answer all health questions honestly — misrepresentation can result in a denied claim later.
Wait for the decision. You may receive an instant decision or wait a few days. If denied for simplified issue, you can try guaranteed issue or traditional underwriting with a different carrier.
Review and activate your policy. Confirm the coverage amount, beneficiary designations, and any exclusions. Set up automatic payments so the policy never lapses. Most policies include a 10- to 30-day free-look period for a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is no-exam life insurance more expensive than traditional life insurance? It depends on the type. Accelerated underwriting offers the same rates as traditional policies. Simplified issue costs 15% to 30% more. Guaranteed issue is the most expensive per dollar of coverage. If you are healthy and cost is your priority, traditional or accelerated underwriting wins.

Can I get a million-dollar policy without a medical exam? Yes, through accelerated underwriting or certain simplified issue carriers like Haven Life, Bestow, and Ethos. Guaranteed issue policies cap at $25,000. Eligibility for high amounts depends on your age, health, and the carrier.

What is a graded death benefit? A feature in guaranteed issue policies where the full death benefit is not payable during a two- to three-year waiting period. If you die of natural causes during that window, beneficiaries receive a refund of premiums plus interest instead of the full payout. Accidental death is covered in full from day one.

Will I be denied for simplified issue if I have a pre-existing condition? It depends on the condition. Controlled high blood pressure, managed diabetes, and treated anxiety are often acceptable. Recent cancer treatment, advanced heart disease, or organ transplant history are more likely to result in denial. Guaranteed issue is always available as a fallback.

How long does it take to get approved? Accelerated underwriting can provide same-day approval. Simplified issue takes minutes to five business days. Guaranteed issue is typically instant since there is no underwriting. Traditional policies take four to eight weeks by comparison.

Can I convert a no-exam term policy to permanent coverage later? Many no-exam term policies include a conversion option to whole life without a new exam or health questions. Conversion terms vary by carrier, so check before purchasing. This feature is valuable if your health declines during the term.

The Bottom Line

No-exam life insurance has made coverage faster and more accessible than ever. For people who need speed, have health challenges, or simply want a frictionless process, it provides a legitimate path to protection. But healthy applicants who can wait will almost always get better rates through traditional underwriting, and anyone considering guaranteed issue must understand the graded benefit and low coverage caps.

The best approach is to start with accelerated underwriting if you qualify, move to simplified issue if needed, and reserve guaranteed issue as a last resort. Compare quotes from multiple carriers, read the fine print, and make sure the coverage amount is enough to protect the people who depend on you.

The most important decision is not whether to take a medical exam. It is whether you have any coverage at all. Nearly 40% of American adults have no life insurance. No-exam options eliminate the complexity and inconvenience excuses. The only step left is the first one.

No-Exam Life Insurance: Is It Worth It?