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Best no-exam life insurance companies (2024)

Brighthouse Financial, Legal & General America, Pacific Life, Transamerica, and Mutual of Omaha are the best no-exam life insurance companies on the market.

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By

Katherine MurbachEditor & Licensed Life Insurance AgentKatherine Murbach is an editor and a former licensed life insurance agent at Policygenius. Previously, she wrote about life and disability insurance for 1752 Financial, and advised over 1,500 clients on their life insurance policies as a sales associate.&Tory CrowleyAssociate Editor & Licensed Life Insurance AgentTory Crowley is an associate editor and a former licensed insurance agent at Policygenius. Previously, she worked directly with clients at Policygenius, advising nearly 3,000 of them on life insurance options. She has also worked at the Daily News and various nonprofit organizations.

Edited by

Antonio Ruiz-CamachoAntonio Ruiz-CamachoAssociate Content DirectorAntonio helps lead our life insurance and disability insurance editorial team at Policygenius. Previously, he was a senior director of content at Bankrate and CreditCards.com, as well as a principal writer covering personal finance at CNET.
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Reviewed by

Patrick Hanzel, CFP®Patrick Hanzel, CFP®Certified Financial Planner™ & Advanced Planning ManagerPatrick Hanzel, CFP®, is a certified financial planner and advanced planning manager at Policygenius. His expertise has been featured at Lifehacker, Consumer Affairs, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, and Fatherly.

Updated|8 min read

Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.

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No-medical-exam life insurance policies are a good fit for people who want to skip the medical test and get coverage quickly, or for people who wouldn’t be approved for traditional life insurance due to health reasons.

We analyzed the best life insurance companies on the market based on their underwriting rules, price, policy options, customer satisfaction, and financial strength, to identify the top no-exam insurers for you. Depending on your needs and personal circumstances, these companies will approve you without having to take the medical exam and offer you the best price.

What is no-medical-exam life insurance?

The term “no-exam life insurance” can refer to any life insurance policy that doesn’t require an in-person medical exam for approval. No-exam life insurance includes types of term life insurance — which lasts for a fixed period of time before expiring — and final expense life insurance — which is a type of permanent policy meant to help with end-of-life costs, like a funeral.

Methodology

Why you can trust our picks

Our recommendations are based on internal and external expert analysis, as well as our Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. When reviewing a life insurance company, our editorial team uses a proprietary scoring rubric with five factors — price, policy details, financial strength, transparency, and customer experience — to assign an unbiased rating between one and five stars. These ratings are also taken into consideration as part of our company recommendations. We don’t get paid for our reviews.

Our reviews and recommendations can help you find a reliable insurer for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you depends on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can support you during the application process to ensure you get the right coverage for your circumstances at the most competitive price.

Read more about our reviews methodology

Comparing the best no-medical-exam life insurance companies

Company

Policygenius rating

Average time for no-exam approval

Maximum coverage amount

Brighthouse Financial

5.0/5 ★

1 day

$3 million

Legal & General America

4.9/5 ★

Up to 3 weeks

$2 million

Pacific Life

4.8/5 ★

Up to 4 weeks

$3 million

Transamerica

4.6/5 ★

Up to 4 weeks

$2 million

Mutual of Omaha

4.5/5 ★

Up to 2 weeks

$40,000 for simplified, $25,000 for guaranteed

See all of our picks for the best life insurance companies

Best overall no-exam life insurance: Brighthouse Financial

award icon

2024 Policygenius award winner

Brighthouse Financial

Brighthouse Financial logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange star

5.0

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

No-medical-exam option

Why we chose itchevron icon

Brighthouse Financial offers competitive rates, comprehensive coverage, and application decisions in as little as 24 hours, making it a great choice for people who want to get life insurance coverage without having to take the medical exam.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Extremely affordable

  • Instant-decision applications

  • Best-in-class no-exam option

Cons

  • Traditional term life not available in CA, IL, LA, ME, or NY

  • Term life applicants limited to ages 25-50

Brighthouse Financial offers an instant decision application process that can help you get term life insurance coverage for up to $3 million without having to take a medical exam. Instead, you’ll answer a series of medical questions over the phone, and you could get approved on the same phone call.

If you have a minor health condition like anxiety, high blood pressure, ADHD, or even sleep apnea, you’re more likely to get a better rate with Brighthouse Financial than with other insurers.

Legal & General America, which also does business as Banner Life and William Penn, offers cheaper policy options than some of its competitors regardless of your health profile. 

You can apply for coverage between $100,000 and $2 million by completing a medical interview over the phone. Legal & General America will then review your application and determine if an in-person medical exam is needed or not, depending on your overall profile.

Best no-exam term life insurance: Pacific Life

award icon

2024 Policygenius award winner

Pacific Life

Pacific Life logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.8

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

All 50 states

No-medical-exam option

Why we chose itchevron icon

Pacific Life offers some of the lowest rates for term life insurance across age brackets. It also has the most competitive rates for many health conditions and builds.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Extremely affordable across age brackets

  • Affordable guaranteed universal life insurance option for people who need lifetime coverage

  • Favorable underwriting for many health conditions

Cons

  • Traditional term life not available in NY

  • There are better carriers for active duty military, people who have a history of alcohol abuse, and people who have been through bankruptcy

Pacific Life offers some of the most flexible rules for people age 18 to 70 applying for term life insurance, which is the most affordable and popular type of life insurance for most people. You can apply for $50,000 to $3 million in coverage.

If you’re under the age of 60, you’ll complete a health interview to determine if you can get accelerated approval without a medical exam. The insurer will review your profile to confirm — if you don’t have many health conditions or risk factors, you likely won’t have to take an exam.

If you’re between age 60 and 70 or you have additional medical conditions, Pacific Life will likely request an attending physician statement (APS) to evaluate your health first and determine if you can get approved without an exam.

Best no-exam life insurance for seniors: Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.5

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A+

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

No-medical-exam option

Why we chose itchevron icon

Mutual of Omaha is a reputable company that offers a variety of life insurance products — including a no-medical-exam option — so that you can select the type of life insurance that best suits your needs.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • No-medical-exam options for older applicants

  • Strong financial and customer ratings

Cons

  • Policies are more expensive than average

  • Slow turnaround time

Mutual of Omaha offers multiple no-exam policies for seniors. Its options include a term life insurance policy with coverage up to $300,000 for people age 50 and below, up to $250,000 for people age 60 and below, and up to $150,000 for people age 70 and below. 

Mutual of Omaha also offers permanent life insurance policies with lower coverage amounts — up to $40,000 — to cover final expenses, like a funeral or medical bills. This is a popular option for people who might not be eligible for traditional coverage due to health issues. These policies don’t require medical exams, either. You have to be between age 45 and age 85 to qualify.

Best no-medical-exam life insurance for young adults: Transamerica

Transamerica

Transamerica logo

Policygenius rating 

Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.

Full orange starFull orange starFull orange starFull orange starHalf orange star

4.6

AM Best rating 

AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).

A

Cost 

Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).

$

$

$

$

$

No-medical-exam option

Why we chose itchevron icon

Transamerica is one of the oldest and largest life insurance companies, with over 12 million active accounts today. It offers affordable rates for almost every age, and you can even skip the medical exam if you fall under a certain age or coverage amount.

Pros and conschevron icon

Pros

  • Competitive rates for term life insurance

  • No-medical-exam available for qualifying applicants, including smokers and people between 60 and 70, which is rare

  • One of the fastest turnaround times in the industry for traditionally underwritten term policies

Cons

  • Term life not available in New York

  • Not a good option for people with a history of cancer, alcohol abuse, or asthma

Transamerica offers no-exam policies for adults as young as 18 years old and a simple application process — including a health questionnaire that can be filled out online or over the phone. 

Transamerica has flexible financial justification guidelines for graduates and undergraduates applying for life insurance to plan ahead for their new income, offering coverage amounts of up to $500,000. The company also offers smaller coverage amounts — up to $50,000 — for young adults seeking coverage options to pay for final expenses in a worst-case scenario.

5 best no-medical-exam life insurance companies

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What is no-exam life insurance?

No-exam policies let you skip the medical examination and instead complete a health interview online or over the phone to determine if you qualify for coverage.

Traditionally, when you apply for life insurance, you often have to take an in-person medical exam that’s similar to an annual physical.

  • The exam lasts between 20 and 30 minutes and consists of two parts. You don’t have to pay for the exam — it’s covered by the insurer.

  • First, you have to answer a series of questions about your health, lifestyle, and social habits, including any current prescriptions.

  • Then, an examiner measures your height and weight, checks your blood pressure, and collects blood and urine samples.

Types of no-exam policies 

There are three main types of life insurance policies that don’t require you to take a medical exam: traditional term life and two different types of permanent life insurance: simplified issue and guaranteed issue life insurance.

1. Term life insurance

Term life insurance is usually the best option for most people who want to protect their loved ones from financial hardship if they die. It’s affordable, easy to maintain and understand, and only lasts for a set period of time — usually, 10 to 30 years.

It can take up to six weeks to get approved for term life if you have to take a medical exam. But with some no-exam term options, like instant issue or accelerated underwriting life insurance, your application can get approved in a matter of days — or in some cases even during the initial phone interview. And the good news is that no-exam term life policies are just as affordable as term life policies with the medical exam.

Just keep in mind that, depending on your age and health profile, some insurers might still ask you to take the medical exam even if you initially applied for a no-exam term policy.

2. Simplified issue life insurance

Simplified issue life insurance is a type of coverage that requires fewer health qualifications for approval. The term “simplified issue” can refer to some term life policies, but most commonly it refers to simplified issue whole life insurance, which doesn’t expire and usually offers a small payout — up to $40,000 — to cover final expenses. It’s commonly reserved for people age 45 and above and who may not qualify for traditional life insurance due to health reasons.

While you don’t have to take a medical exam, you do need to answer a few questions related to your health. Certain conditions, like some types of cancer or a terminal illness, might disqualify you for this type of policy. Getting approved can take up to two weeks.

3. Guaranteed issue life insurance

Guaranteed issue life insurance is another type of policy that offers permanent coverage — usually up to $25,000 — to cover final expenses. You don’t have to take a medical exam or answer any questions about your health as part of the application, and you can get approved in up to three days. Acceptance is near-guaranteed — you just have to be of sound mind to complete the application, so people with conditions such as dementia may not qualify.

If you have a pre-existing condition that would disqualify you for other types of policies, guaranteed issue life insurance can offer a solution.

If you’re not sure which of these options is right for you, a Policygenius agent can help. At Policygenius, our agents work for you, not the insurance company, and can walk you through the entire life insurance buying process while offering transparent, unbiased advice.

Comparing no-exam life insurance policies

Policy type

Waiting period

Coverage limit

Coverage length

Age availability

No-exam term life

Approx. one week, depends on the company

$1 million to $3 million

10 years to 30 years, 40 years with some companies

18-60, depends on the company

Accelerated underwriting term life

One to three days

$1 million to $3 million

10 years to 30 years

18-60, depends on the company

Instant term life

Zero to three days

$1 million to $3 million

10 years to 30 years

18-60, depends on the company

Simplified issue

Three to five days

$40,000

Permanent

45-85, depends on the company

Guaranteed issue

One to three days

$25,000

Permanent

45-85, depends on the company

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How much does no-medical-exam life insurance cost?

A 30-year-old female could pay $22.98 per month for a no-medical-exam term life insurance policy with a 20-year term and a $500,000 coverage amount. A 30-year-old male could pay $29.32 per month for the same coverage.

Simplified issue and guaranteed issue policies are usually more expensive, even if you’re buying less coverage. How much you pay for life insurance will depend on which type of policy you’re applying for, as well as your age, gender, and health.

Average no-exam term life insurance rates

Age

Gender

$500,000 coverage amount

20

Female

$22.65

Male

$30.20

30

Female

$22.98

Male

$29.32

40

Female

$35.27

Male

$42.94

50

Female

$78.29

Male

$102.50

60

Female

$194.16

Male

$268.04

Collapse table

Methodology: Average monthly rates are calculated for male and female non-smokers in a Preferred health classification obtaining a 20-year $500,000 term life insurance policy. Life insurance averages are based on a composite of no-medical-exam policies offered through Policygenius from Brighthouse Financial, Legal & General America, Transamerica, and Pacific Life. Rates may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies available in all states. Issuance of a term life insurance policy without a medical exam is subject to product availability and your eligibility, and may depend upon your truthful answers to a health questionnaire. Rate illustration valid as of 03/01/2024.

Average simplified issue life insurance rates

Age

Gender

$40,000 coverage amount

50

Female

$87.61

Male

$113.10

60

Female

$121.86

Male

$165.43

70

Female

$203.35

Male

$288.82

80

Female

$384.12

Male

$549.31

Collapse table

Methodology: Sample monthly rates are calculated for males and females obtaining a $40,000 simplified issue whole life insurance policy. Life insurance rates are based on simplified issue life insurance policies offered through Policygenius from Mutual of Omaha. Rates may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 03/01/2024.

Average guaranteed issue life insurance rates

Age

Gender   

$25,000 coverage amount

50 

Female

$74.47

Male  

$98.96

60

Female

$105.21

Male  

$140.69

70

Female

$158.19

Male

$215.16

80 

Female

$315.62

Male  

$391.09

Collapse table

Methodology: Sample monthly rates are calculated for males and females obtaining a $25,000 guaranteed issue life insurance policy. Life insurance rates are based on guaranteed issue whole life insurance policies offered through Policygenius from Mutual of Omaha. Rates may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 03/01/2024.

How to buy no-exam life insurance policy

  1. First, you’ll connect with a licensed insurance agent who can help you confirm the coverage you need and determine if you’re eligible for a no-medical-exam policy. 

  2. Then, your agent will help you complete your application and fill out some basic identifying information about your age, health, gender, income, and how much coverage you’re looking for.

  3. Next, you’ll complete a health interview. Here, you’ll answer more detailed questions about your medical history. Make sure to have the names of any prescription medications or any physicians you’ve seen on hand,

  4. After the interview, the life insurance company will verify your health information and your identity through secure databases such as the MIB — the Medical Information Bureau.

  5. Once you have your application decision and final rate, you can accept and sign your policy documents, and your coverage will go into effect.

In my experience working as a licensed agent, most people chose the no-exam route whenever available, since the standard application can take up to six weeks on average. Getting approved for a no-medical-exam policy is the fastest way to get coverage, and often also the cheapest. 

What happens if your application is declined?

If you get turned down at first, don’t fret.

Getting declined for a no-exam life insurance policy doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be eligible for coverage or that your rate will be more expensive. It simply means that the insurer needs more information to assess your risk and might ask you to take an in-person medical exam.

The insurer will give you a reason for their decision to decline your application, and based on the information provided, your agent can help you decide how to move forward in getting coverage.

What options do you have if you’re not eligible for no-exam life insurance?

If a no-exam policy is not an option for you, you can apply for a fully underwritten policy. This means you’ll have to go through the traditional application process, which includes an in-person medical exam.

A fully underwritten option will also allow you to apply for higher coverage amounts if you need them — most no-exam options cap coverage at $1 million to $3 million.

And depending on your health profile, you may have more affordable options if you’re willing to take a medical exam.

Is no-exam life insurance worth it?

If you’re young and healthy enough to get approved for traditional life insurance, applying for a life insurance policy with no medical exam is a no-brainer — you’ll be able to skip the medical test, get covered faster, and pay the most affordable premiums available to you. According to LIMRA, 55% of Americans like the idea of avoiding undergoing a medical exam to buy their coverage. [1]

No-exam policies “[...] are the way to go because they skip all the hassle of medical exams and lengthy underwriting,” says Batul Rassiwala, carrier relationships manager at Policygenius. “It’s like fast-tracking your way to coverage without jumping through all those hoops.” 

And if you might not be eligible for traditional coverage due to health reasons, no-exam options like simplified issue or guaranteed issue are worth considering, too, since they can give you access to a small amount of coverage to pay for final expenses.

At Policygenius, our agents can help you compare quotes from different insurance companies and apply with the insurer that offers you the right coverage at a price that works for you.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get life insurance without a medical exam?

Most people will have an option to get life insurance coverage without a medical exam. If you’re under age 60 and have few health conditions, you probably qualify for a no-exam term life insurance policy. You can also get simplified issue or guaranteed issue life insurance if you’re over 45, and sometimes if you’re younger. This is usually best reserved for people who have more complex medical issues but need some insurance to help with end-of-life expenses.

How does no-medical-exam life insurance work?

Instead of an in-person medical exam, you’ll complete a health interview either online or over the phone. The insurance company will verify your answers against your medical records to determine your health risk.

How much life insurance can you get without a medical exam?

No-exam term policy options typically offer up to between $1 million and $3 million, depending on the insurer. No-exam permanent life insurance policies aimed at covering final expenses usually offer up to around $40,000 or $50,000.

Does no-exam life insurance cost the same as other insurance?

No-exam term life insurance is often comparable to or even cheaper than other term life policies. But overall, it depends on the type of no-exam life insurance you’re purchasing. No-exam options that cover final expenses, such as guaranteed issue life insurance, are more expensive than other kinds of policies.

References

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Policygenius uses external sources, including government data, industry studies, and reputable news organizations to supplement proprietary marketplace data and internal expertise. Learn more about how we use and vet external sources as part of oureditorial standards.

  1. LIMRA

    . "

    2021 Insurance Barometer Study Reveals Common Misconceptions That Prevent Americans from Getting Life Insurance They Know They Need

    ." Accessed March 18, 2024.

Authors

Katherine Murbach is an editor and a former licensed life insurance agent at Policygenius. Previously, she wrote about life and disability insurance for 1752 Financial, and advised over 1,500 clients on their life insurance policies as a sales associate.

Tory Crowley is an associate editor and a former licensed insurance agent at Policygenius. Previously, she worked directly with clients at Policygenius, advising nearly 3,000 of them on life insurance options. She has also worked at the Daily News and various nonprofit organizations.

Editor

Antonio helps lead our life insurance and disability insurance editorial team at Policygenius. Previously, he was a senior director of content at Bankrate and CreditCards.com, as well as a principal writer covering personal finance at CNET.

Expert reviewer

Patrick Hanzel, CFP®, is a certified financial planner and advanced planning manager at Policygenius. His expertise has been featured at Lifehacker, Consumer Affairs, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, and Fatherly.

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