The Best No-Exam Life Insurance Companies 2023

Sarah Sharkey
Written by
Sarah Sharkey
Sarah Sharkey
Written by
Sarah Sharkey
Insurance Writer
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Katie Powers
Edited by
Katie Powers
Photo of an Insurify author
Edited by
Katie Powers
Insurance Writer
Katie Powers is an insurance writer at Insurify with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts and expertise in personal finance and auto insurance topics. She strives to help consumers make better financial decisions. Prior to joining Insurify, she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Emerson College. Her work has been published in St. Louis Magazine, the Boston Globe, and elsewhere. Connect with Katie on LinkedIn.

Updated April 14, 2021

Reading time: 7 minutes

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Most of us don’t like to think about the possibility of dying, especially if we have loved ones counting on us. A life insurance policy can provide the comfort and security of knowing that your loved ones will be provided for after your death.

Many insurers require a medical exam before finalizing a life insurance policy to gather details about your health and life expectancy. If you aren’t interested in taking a medical exam, some insurers offer no-medical-exam life insurance policies.[1]

Let’s explore the best companies that provide no-medical-exam life insurance.

Can you get life insurance without a medical exam?

Insurance companies usually consider your age and health at the start of the policy when determining life insurance premiums.[2] Since the insurance company will have to make a payout after your death, healthy people with a low-risk lifestyle often find lower premiums than those with health concerns or risky lifestyle behaviors, like smoking.

A medical exam gives the insurer more information about your health risks, so an insurance company takes on more risk when offering coverage without a medical exam. The cost of a life insurance policy for someone without a medical exam often exceeds the cost of policies for those who undergo a medical exam that reveals perfect health.

Pros and cons of no-medical-exam life insurance

Every financial decision comes with advantages and disadvantages. Here’s what to consider about a no-medical-exam life insurance policy:

Pros

  • Fast approval: Without a medical exam to complete, you can finalize a no-medical-exam life insurance policy relatively quickly.

  • Coverage available for some pre-existing conditions: If you have certain pre-existing health conditions, a no-medical-exam life insurance policy may still offer some level of coverage.

  • Skip an uncomfortable exam: A physical exam may require blood tests, urine samples, and more to determine your health risks and chance of death, which is an uncomfortable thought for most.

Cons

  • Often more expensive: A no-medical-exam life insurance policy typically comes with higher premiums.

  • More limited death benefits: Without a medical exam, insurance companies may limit your coverage options.

  • Undiscovered medical issue: Hopefully, you’re in excellent health. But sometimes, you’ll uncover a medical issue — like high blood pressure or warning signs of heart disease — during a medical exam for life insurance.

.Learn More: How Much Life Insurance Do You Really Need?

7 best companies for no-medical-exam life insurance

If you’re looking for the best companies for no-medical-exam life insurance, you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find a closer look at the top options.

Bestow: Best for immediate coverage

Bestow offers life insurance policies online. The fast application process doesn’t require an exam, but you’ll have to answer lifestyle and health questions. With the short application, you can complete this item on your to-do list in a matter of minutes.

You can pay online to start coverage immediately following your approval. Healthy applicants might find coverage starting at just $11 per month. You need to be between the ages of 18 and 60 to apply. You can apply for $100,000 to $1.5 million in coverage, with term lengths of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years.

Bestow has earned 4.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Most reviewers highlight a positive experience.

Ladder: Best for adjustable coverage

Ladder offers affordable life insurance policies that start at around $5 per month. If you don’t want to complete a medical exam, you can apply for between $100,000 to $3 million in coverage. You’ll answer a few questions about yourself to take the place of a medical exam.

You need to be between the ages of 20 and 60 years old to be approved, and the company issues term life insurance policies of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years. Older applicants, however, will face term length limitations. For example, a 60-year-old applying for coverage can only obtain a 10-year term.

If approved, you can get coverage in a matter of minutes. Once you have your policy with Ladder, you have the option to apply for more or less coverage along the way for free. If you lower your coverage, you’ll likely pay a lower monthly premium.

A Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars indicates that many customers are satisfied with coverage from Ladder. The company provides you coverage options to adjust as your life insurance needs change.

USAA: Best for short-term life insurance

Though USAA often limits its customer base to those with a military association, that’s not the case for life insurance. Anyone between the ages of 21 and 35 can apply for USAA’s Essential Term Life Insurance policy, except for New York residents.

The application process involves a few medical history and lifestyle questions. If approved, you’ll have $100,000 in coverage. However, the policy will expire when you turn 39. The limitations of this policy make it work best for those with limited coverage needs. USAA earned an A++ rating from A.M. Best, which is a top mark for financial strength.[3]

Haven Life: Best for convenient online application

Haven Life offers a no-medical-exam policy option called Haven Simple. Instead of completing a medical exam, you can apply online by answering a few questions about your health. The coverage limits range from $25,000 to $500,000. And the term lengths available include 5, 10, 15, and 20 years.

Anyone from the age of 20 to 55 can apply. Once approved, you can finalize your coverage by paying in a matter of minutes. One drawback is that this policy isn’t available to residents of California, Delaware, South Dakota, North Dakota, or New York.

Haven Life has earned 4.4 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and an A++ A.M. Best rating.

State Farm: Best for working with an agent

State Farm requires policyholders to purchase Instant Answer Term Insurance through an agent’s office. You’ll have someone available to guide you through the process, but you won’t be able to complete an online application.

You don’t need to submit to a medical exam, but State Farm’s Instant Answer Term Insurance offers a maximum death benefit of $50,000. The policy only offers coverage for a maximum of 10 years, or until you turn 50.

State Farm has earned an A++ rating from A.M. Best, which indicates significant financial strength.[4] Despite the low maximum coverage, it might be the right choice for those covering final expenses or paying off a specific loan.

Transamerica: Best for older applicants

Transamerica stands apart from other companies in terms of applicant ages. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 80 can apply for a no-medical-exam insurance policy through the company. The coverage levels available range from $25,000 to $2 million, with term length options of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years.

The company also offers a slew of insurance riders. For example, you could add a monthly disability income rider to supplement your own income after developing a disability. The big selection of riders allows you to customize the policy to suit your needs.

With an A rating from A.M. Best, Transamerica is in a good position to pay out promised claims.[5]

Ethos: Best for low minimum policy values

Ethos offers a fast online life insurance application process. You can apply for policies ranging from $20,000 to $2 million in coverage. The ability to opt for a low coverage amount will give you the customized coverage you need without exceeding your budget.

Terms lengths include 10, 15, 20, and 30 years. Anyone between the ages of 20 and 85 can apply for coverage. You’ll know in a matter of minutes whether you’re approved.

Ethos has earned 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, which indicates that many customers have a pleasant experience with the company.

Methodology

The companies for this list were selected by comparing coverage options, customer review sites, medical exam requirements, ease of application process, and more. Ultimately, the companies above made the cut for the best no-medical-exam life insurance companies.

See More: 10 Best & Worst Sites to Compare Life Insurance Quotes

How to find the best no-medical-exam life insurance for you

If you’ve decided that a no-medical-exam life insurance policy works for your insurance needs, here’s how to find the best policy for you:

  • Consider employer coverage options. Some employees can access a no-medical-exam life insurance policy through their employer’s group coverage. Depending on the setup, you might split the premiums with your employer.

  • Nail down what you need. Before looking at what’s available, start by determining what level of life insurance you want. A clear understanding of your preferred coverage limits can streamline the shopping process.

  • Shop around. Avoid settling on the first policy you come across. Instead, compare the features and costs of different policies before moving forward.

Types of no-medical-exam life insurance policies

Several types of no-medical-exam life insurance policies are available for you to choose from. Here’s a look at the most common options:

  • Employer-sponsored life insurance: Some companies provide employees access to this type of group life insurance plan. In many cases, this coverage is very affordable and doesn’t require an exam. However, the coverage limit might be set relatively low.

  • Simplified issue life insurance: For young people in good health seeking life insurance without a waiting period, a simplified issue policy might be the right fit. However, premiums often exceed the costs of other life insurance options.

  • Guaranteed issue life insurance: For people with health issues, a guaranteed issue policy offers a sure way of getting the life insurance coverage you want. This type of policy doesn’t consider your health. However, these policies are often relatively expensive with limited benefits.

No-medical-exam life insurance FAQs

Find answers to the following commonly asked questions about no-medical-exam life insurance.

  • The exact amount of life insurance you can get without a medical exam varies based on the insurance company. Depending on your situation, you may be able to get up to $3 million in life insurance coverage without a medical exam.

  • Some life insurance companies that don’t require a medical exam include Ladder, Bestow, State Farm, Ethos, Transamerica, and Haven Life. Shopping around for coverage helps you find the right fit for your insurance needs and budget.

  • Generally, a no-medical-exam life insurance policy works well for young people. Additionally, it can be a good option for people who want to avoid a medical exam and feel comfortable with paying higher insurance premiums. Agreeing to a medical exam could lead to lower premiums if you’re relatively healthy.

  • If you opt for a permanent life insurance policy, it’s possible to borrow money from the policy. Unlike term life insurance policies, permanent life insurance policies include a cash value component. In some cases, you can borrow from the cash value of your permanent life insurance policy.[6]

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Sources

  1. Maryland Insurance Administration. "Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed January 31, 2023
  2. Insurance Information Institute. "What are the different types of term life insurance policies?." Accessed January 31, 2023
  3. AM Best. "A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of USAA, Its Subsidiaries and USAA Capital Corporation." Accessed January 31, 2023
  4. AM Best. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and Most of Its Subsidiaries." Accessed January 31, 2023
  5. AM Best. "Transamerica Life Insurance Company." Accessed January 31, 2023
  6. Texas Department of Insurance. "Life Insurance Guide." Accessed January 31, 2023
Sarah Sharkey
Written by
Sarah Sharkey
Linkedin

Insurance Writer

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Learn More
Katie Powers
Edited by
Katie Powers
Linkedin

Insurance Writer

Photo of an Insurify author
Edited by
Katie Powers
Insurance Writer
Katie Powers is an insurance writer at Insurify with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Massachusetts and expertise in personal finance and auto insurance topics. She strives to help consumers make better financial decisions. Prior to joining Insurify, she completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Emerson College. Her work has been published in St. Louis Magazine, the Boston Globe, and elsewhere. Connect with Katie on LinkedIn.