Do I Need A Medical To Get Life Cover ?

Have you been hesitating or even avoiding taking out a Life Insurance policy because you think that every application will involve a medical? In today’s post we take a look at who is most likely to need medical checks to obtain Life Insurance and who does not. You will be quite surprised to learn that not all Life Cover polices are the same and some polices do not medical checks.

It is important to note that if your insurer does ask for further information about your health it is only to get a better understanding of yourself as an individual. This will help them to offer the best Life Insurance policy possible for your circumstances.

Does Everyone Need A Medical To Get Life Insurance?

The vast majority of the general public who apply for policy through an FCA regulated broker, like Life Insurance Cover do not need a medical. A key point to note is that, if you are applying for a rather large amount of cover you may be asked to attend a medical. This appointment will be with either a nurse or a doctor and is only requested to make sure that the customer and the insurer both understand the risks applicable.

Because each application for Life Insurance is assessed on the circumstance individually. If you are asked to have a medical examination, it is so the insurer can learn more while they process your application. During this process it is very important to note that a medical does not automatically mean your application will not be accepted.

What Health Questions Do I Need To Answer?

When you first start your application for a Life Insurance policy, you will be asked questions about your lifestyle and health. These questions form the basic information needed to take out a policy, similar to questions asked for Motor Insurance. They will include: how much alcohol you drink, your current weight and height, and if you smoke.

It is also quite common for an insurer to ask about your family’s medical history, and if you have any ongoing medical conditions. An insurer asks about medical condition including any symptoms, medication, advice, treatment or diagnostic tests for a disease, illness or injury you have prior to taking out the policy. This is commonly called a pre-existing medical condition, our extensive guide and A to Z, explain that if you do have a medical condition you can still obtain Life Insurance.

Over the past few years, many Life Insurance providers are now asking about recent overseas travel, to find out if you’ve travelled to countries where there may be a health risk.

By using an FCA regulated broker, like Life Insurance Cover to search and compare the market of Life Insurance providers for you. Will allow you to find the best policy available including Life Cover for medical conditions and pre-existing issues.

What Happens If I Don’t Tell A Life Insurer The Truth?

It might sound more than a little obvious, but there have been more than a few policyholders who have fallen foul and withheld important medical information. At Life Insurance Cover we always encourage our new and existing customers to answer the medical questions, and all other application questions, correctly and honestly.

If you choose not to, it may invalidate your policy for the future. That also means it may be cancelled, or the insurer might not be able to pay out when a claim is made if you withheld important information when you applied that subsequently comes to light later.

Alternatively you may be declined a policy during the application stage, if you choose to not disclose information that could impact the level of protection available to you. In short, it is important to always answer the insurer’s questions honestly and to get the right policy for you and your family.

What Happens When An Insurer Needs Information About Your Health?

When applying for certain types of policy including level and decreasing term Life Insurance, occasionally an insurer cannot offer a policy straight away. If the level of cover is quite high or a medical question needs answering your application will be referred to the underwriters, so they can look at it in more detail. It does not mean that you will need a medical to obtain Life Insurance, it could mean they need a bit more information from you, which can include:

GP’s report: With your consent, an insurer will ask your doctor for a medical report. This is so they can get more information about your overall health, your current treatment, any past conditions, and any medical conditions in your family.

Pre-screening: This is a simple appointment done by a nurse at either your home or workplace. They will take your blood pressure, height and weight measurements, to work out your BMI. A nurse will ask for a urine test and a smoker status test may also be completed during the screening.

Over the phone: Many insurers are now choosing to ask a nurse to call you to ask a few further questions about your application answers. Usually this phone call will only last for approximately 10 minutes.

Medical examination: A full medical usually involves a few detailed questions by a doctor and a full examination, including heart, chest, blood pressure and a urine test. It is nothing to worry about, and you’ve probably had a similar health check at your GP’s surgery.

When an insurer chooses any of the above options relating to the application for a Life Insurance policy, they will cover the cost and arrange it for you.

Am I Insured During My Life Cover Application?

While an insurer obtains further details from you or a medical professional on your application for Life Insurance. Many providers will offer free protection during the application process, meaning that you’re covered as soon as you’ve applied, free of charge, for the cover amount you’ve applied for. This protection will last until a decision has been made by the insurer, or you withdraw your application, or up to 90 days.

Each insurer offers different levels of protection during the Life Insurance application phase, by using a whole of market broker, like Life Insurance Cover. Will help you to identify the best Life Insurance and most helpful provider during the application process.

Do All Types Of Life Insurance Need A Medical?

The simple answer to this question is, not all types of Life Insurance protection need a medical to be completed by the policyholder. These types of policy are called Whole Of Life policies and provide protection to the policyholder for their entire life.

The most common type of whole of Life Insurance are over 50s Life Cover, you will not be asked to have a medical before you are accepted, regardless of your health. For all Whole Of Life policies, the claim pay-out on a valid claim is guaranteed, provided you continue to pay your monthly premiums.

It is important to note that, although acceptance is guaranteed many insurers will only pay out the full assured lump sum if you pass away after the first year of your policy, or if you pass away as the result of an accident during the first full year. By comparing all of the available Whole of Life Insurance policies through a broker will help you to confirm affordability and the level of cover needed. Affordability is important because some providers require monthly policy payments during your retirement.

To apply for an over 50s Life Insurance policy you will not need to answer any health questions, you will be accepted, if you’re eligible to apply. Your monthly premium is based on your age, smoking status and how much cover you’d like.

Because a claim pay-out is guaranteed, monthly premiums for all Whole Of Life Policies tend to be much higher than for term policies.

As detailed within our many guides and posts, the most important thing to take away, is to get the type of cover that’s right for you and your family for the future. If you would like to read more helpful guides simply visit our news page. Also if you would like to see more similar posts please leave a comment on our social media pages.