What is the medical exam and questions for life insurance like?

red_grad: What is the medical exam and questions for life insurance like?
We are looking into life insurance. I am wondering what the medical exam and questions are like? How much more typically is it if you have a medical issue (like high blood pressure) compared to if you have good health? We are in our late 20’s.
I forgot to add, do they only ask your current health for the last 6 months to a year? Or is it your whole health history? I ask because let’s say the high blood pressure has been normal for the last 6 months to a year… will they still consider this in their pricing?

Answers and Views:

Answer by jlf
Whole history. Health questionaire, permission for access to medical records, physical exam.

Answer by HGCity
Most life insurance companies will ask about your entire health history. (i.e. have you ever had surgery and if so why? etc. etc.) Additionally most life insurance companies will check your health records to make sure there are not any glaring problems.

The medical exam depends on the coverage amount. If you’re in your late 20s and high blood pressure is the only issue you have, they will most likely take a blood and urine sample along with checking your blood pressure. If high blood pressure is the only problem you have, it should not be grounds for denial. However it can cause you to get a higher rating.

Answer by Bright Future Penguin
Generally, the lower the amount of insurance you want to buy and the younger you are, the less stringent the exam; while the higher the amount you wish to buy, or the higher your age, will tend to make the exams more thorough.

I know one company that asks very little (relatively speaking) for face values of $ 50,000 and becomes progressively more comprehensive. For example, this same company will require an actual stress test (the heart test where you jog on a treadmill) for face values of $ 10 million and higher.

Generally, you should expect measurements of height, weight, blood pressure, blood screening, urine screening, an EKG, and a battery of health questions. You’ll also be asked to sign a release allowing the insurer to get an APS (Attending Physician Statement) from your primary care doctor, specialists you’ve seen, psychiatric records and the like.

You may be required to allow a motor vehicle report and a credit check.

The health questions vary in type and scope by carrier. For example, last time I wrote policies for them, MassMutual usually only asks if you’ve used tobacco in the last 2 years, while Genworth asks if you’ve EVER used it. Some companies ask whether you’ve had certain medical procedures in the last year, while others will ask if you’ve had them in the last 5 years, or if you’ve had them at any time.

Your best bet is to talk with a good, local, independent agent who can write for many companies. Tell the agent everything about your health. he or she can shop around for you and direct you to companies with underwriting rules as favorble as possible to your situation.

An example, going back a bit, is smoking. If you had smoked but quit more than 2 years ago, the MassMutual underwriting guidelines consider you a nonsmoker, which is favorable. Companies that worry if you EVER used cigarettes might still list you as a tobacco-rated risk, causing your rates to rise.

Again, your best bet is using a local gent who is able to shop from many companies, and owes allegiance to no one but you, the client.

Best regards,
The Friendly Insurance Guy

Answer by rakjune
the most important thing you should know at your age right now is what type of insurance to get DON’T buy whole life it is rip off insurance always level term both of you on one policy the best life insurance company in the
united states is primerica life insurance they don’t just try to sell they do an financial need analysis to find out how much insurance you need and all your children are covered for free i have it that’s how i know

Answer by Dave
lifeinsurance.awardspace.info – try this one. I have their insurance and, as remember, they can provide such a service.

Answer by toby
They’ll look at your entire medical history, and the histories of cancer/heart disease/death for your siblings and parents before the age of 60. Smoking history is big, 1 yr non smoking for preferred rate, 5 years for premier rate (most carriers). They will take blood and urine, blood pressure, height and weight, and will pull your medical history. They will inquire as to what medications your are currently on. There is more underwriting that goes on when writing a life policy than probably any other policy you can buy. If you’re clean, it’ll cost you next to nothing. If you’re not, it could cost a bit. BUY TERM, BUY TERM, BUY TERM. If agents were paid the same commission for VULs as they are for Term policies, not a single VUL would ever be sold again. Think about it. Shop with an independent agent who can get you quotes from multiple carriers. Most life carriers are highly rated financially, because lets face it, as soon as the first life company goes under, then the gigs up! Life carriers pay claims, because if they don’t, noone in their right mind would ever buy a life policy again. Don’t sweat the carrier as much as getting the right amount of coverage. Check the AMBest rating for whomever you are researching, and as long as they are A rated, no problem. All of my carriers are at least A rated, its the norm.