The best no-medical-exam life insurance companies in 2021

No-medical-exam life insurance is having a moment. It’s easy, contactless, and really affordable, making it a great policy option if you’re in the process of buying life insurance. But the right insurer for your background might not be the right one for your friends, siblings, or even your partner. Every person’s background is different, and so is the insurer that is going to offer the most affordable rates to you.

Our guide to the best no-medical-exam policies breaks down the best one for each circumstance, so you can get the right policy for your needs. 

Best overall: Brighthouse 

Best overall

Brighthouse Financial

4.4

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Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

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Brighthouse Financial offers a low-cost no-medical exam term life policy available exclusively through the Policygenius marketplace.

Pros

• Fast-tracked coverage with SimplySelect

• Very affordable

• Convertible options available

Cons

• Only few term lengths available

• No rate reconsideration

Read our full Brighthouse Financial review

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Brighthouse offers competitive pricing and is a top contender for people who want to get comprehensive coverage without hitting their wallet. 

And while pricing is the most important factor for most people, there’s other upsides too. Coverage is extensive and certain lifestyle choices that could get a rejection elsewhere aren’t a big deal. Marijuana smokers, for example, can get some of the most competitive rates. 

Runner up: Lincoln Financial 

There’s not just one insurer taking home the award for best no-med policy, but two. Much like Brighthouse, Lincoln Financial offers affordable prices and robust coverage, and that competitive coverage is available to just about everyone. With a policy from Lincoln Financial, people with health conditions such as anxiety or asthma aren’t always doomed to lower than average rates. For a cost-effective policy that includes all the bells and whistles, Brighthouse or Lincoln are your providers.

Best for fast coverage: Brighthouse

Best for fast coverage

Brighthouse Financial

4.4

|

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

Get quotes

Brighthouse Financial offers a low-cost no-medical exam term life policy available exclusively through the Policygenius marketplace.

Pros

• Fast-tracked coverage with SimplySelect

• Very affordable

• Convertible options available

Cons

• Only few term lengths available

• No rate reconsideration

Read our full Brighthouse Financial review

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Waiting to get coverage can be a risk, but with Brighthouse, you can be insured within a day of applying. That immediate coverage doesn’t come with a catch: Prices are similar to other policies, and for some people they’re even cheaper. Coverage is robust, with up to $2 million available in a death benefit. And it has all the bells and whistles you’ll see in any other comprehensive policy — such as riders that allow access to the death benefit early in case of an emergency. 

Best for affordability: Banner Life 

Best for affordability

Banner

4.2

|

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

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Long term lengths and competitive rates make Banner a top contender for smokers and people with complicated health issues.

Pros

• Very competitive rates

• Covers many different health conditions

• Term lengths up to 40 years

Cons

• Strict temporary coverage qualifications 

• Reconsideration is paid for by the applicant

Read our full Banner review

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For applicants in good health, Banner Life offers the cheapest prices across the board — and you don’t have to give up financial security in return for the low cost. Coverage amounts go up to $1 million and you can get a policy decision in your inbox in as little as two days. The accelerated death benefit rider is the only one of its kind offered, but if you’re only looking for a straightforward life insurance payout, Banner Life is an affordable option.  

Best for accessibility: Transamerica 

Best for accessibility

Transamerica

4

|

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

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Transamerica offers affordable rates for every age group, former smokers, and people with common health conditions. You may even avoid the medical exam.

Pros

• Competitive rates for term life insurance

• Former smokers may be eligible for lower rates

Cons

• Mixed customer ratings

• Most policy changes require a paper form

Read our full Transamerica review

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Once upon a time, no-medical-exam life insurance was reserved for the young and healthy. But with the emergence of no-med policies like Transamerica’s, coverage has become available to people of various age groups and health profiles. In fact, Transamerica offers some of the most expansive availability amongst all of our providers. 

Best for permanent coverage: MassMutual 

Best for permanent coverage

MassMutual

3.3

|

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

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MassMutual offers some of the most competitive pricing for whole life insurance, while also providing high dividends and permanent coverage.

Pros

• High dividends

• Increasing death benefit and cash value

• Free policy for COVID-19 workers nationwide

Cons

• Most policies require an agent to apply

Read our full MassMutual review

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The best permanent policies do more than pay out to your family after you die — they also offer tax-advantages you can use to your benefit while you’re alive. With high dividend rates, good ratings on A.M. Best and Moody’s, and the opportunity to quickly increase your cash value and death benefit, MassMutual is the best company for a permanent no-med policy.

Best for higher coverage: Prudential

Best for higher coverage

Prudential

3

|

Policygenius rating

How we score: Policygenius’ ratings are determined by our editorial team. Our methodology takes multiple factors into account, including pricing, financial ratings, quality of customer service, and other product-specific features.

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One of the top life insurance carriers for seniors aged 60 to 65 and people with many different medical conditions.

Pros

• Low rates for seniors

• High confidence ratings

• Benefits a range of medical conditions

Cons

• High premiums for most age groups

• Mixed customer ratings

Read our full Prudential review

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The more money you have, the more coverage you need for your family — and Prudential offers some of our highest death benefits for a no-med policy at $3 million. You can get approved in as little as two days, and have the option to add on a robust set of riders to supplement your coverage. 

Need more than $3 million in coverage? If you’ll be paying Biden’s tax hike, then you’ll need to get a medical exam to get insured. 

The best no-medical-exam life insurance for you depends on your age and background. A Policygenius agent can help you find the right policy at the most affordable price. 

Methodology: How we chose the best no-medical-exam companies

Policygenius takes a comprehensive approach to determine the best no-medical-exam life insurance companies out there. We don't get paid for reviews and evaluate an extensive set of criteria to come up with an unbiased analysis to help you find the right insurer. 

Our independent analyses consist of life insurance recommendations by experts in the field, data from the life insurance companies we offer in our marketplace, and third-party life insurance ratings agencies such as A.M. Best, BBB, and J.D. Power. 

These ratings evaluate an insurer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, financial health, customer satisfaction, marketing practices, and more. 

→ Learn more about our ratings methodology for life insurance reviews here