Looking for life insurance without the hassle of a medical exam? No-exam term life insurance offers fast, affordable, and accessible coverage — perfect for busy individuals, seniors, or anyone with health concerns.
With options like accelerated underwriting, simplified issue, and guaranteed issue life insurance, you can secure financial protection for your loved ones in just days, not weeks. Let’s explore how no-exam term life insurance works, who it’s best for, and the best companies that offer life insurance without a medical exam.
What is no-exam term life insurance?
No-exam term life insurance is a policy that lets you skip the traditional medical exam required by most insurers. Instead, you’ll answer a health questionnaire online or over the phone. The insurer uses this information — along with data from a check of your prescription history and public records — to determine your eligibility and rates.
Who benefits most?
Busy professionals who want quick, hassle-free life insurance approval.
People with pre-existing conditions who may not qualify for traditional policies.
Seniors seeking life insurance without a medical exam.
High-risk individuals (smokers, those in hazardous jobs) who want instant-decision life insurance.
Anyone who values convenience and speed in the policy approval process.
No-exam policies are available for both term life coverage and certain whole life insurance options, making them flexible for a range of needs.
We analyzed the best no-exam 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.
Methodology
Why you can trust our rates
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.
The traditional term life insurance rates in the chart above are from Corebridge Financial, Haven Life, Legal & General America, Lincoln, Mutual of Omaha, Pacific Life, and Protective. The no-exam term life insurance rates are from Everly, Foresters, and Lincoln.
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.
Cheapest no-exam life insurance: Legal & General America
2025 Policygenius award winner
Legal & General America
4.9
30+ year terms
All 50 states
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Legal & General America, which also does business as Banner Life and William Penn, has some of the longest term lengths — up to 40 years — and most competitive life insurance rates available, even for people with a history of medical conditions.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for a variety of health conditions
Fast instant-decision option for qualifying applicants
Variety of term lengths up to 40 years
Cons
Application underwriting can take longer than average
Does not have the most competitive rates for older applicants
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.
People who are 20 to 60 years old 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
2025 Policygenius award winner
Pacific Life
4.8
All 50 states
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
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 cons
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 type of life insurance for most people because it only provides financial protection during the period of your life when you have the biggest expenses. You can apply for coverage between $50,000 and $3 million.
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
4.5
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
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 cons
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 $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 term or permanent coverage due to health issues. These policies don’t require medical exams, either. You have to be between the ages of 45 and 85 to qualify.
Learn more >> Best life insurance for seniors
Best no-medical-exam life insurance for young adults: Transamerica
Transamerica
4.6
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
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 cons
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 with 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 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.
Learn more >> Best life insurance for young adults
Best no-medical-exam guaranteed universal life insurance: Protective
Protective
4.8
30+ year terms
Why we chose it
Protective has some of the most affordable and comprehensive life insurance options available.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive rates for all ages and health classifications
Good for people with mental health conditions, kidney conditions, and some cancers, including prostate cancer
Term lengths up to 40 years
Cons
Not available in New York
Not great for people who have had bankruptcy, marijuana users, or visa holders
Limited no-medical-exam policy options
Guaranteed universal life insurance (GUL) is a type of permanent life insurance that comes with fixed premiums and a fixed death benefit, so you know what you’ll pay every month and exactly how much the policy will pay out when you pass away. These guarantees make it one of the most affordable and convenient ways to get lifelong coverage.
Protective can offer up to $1 million in coverage for their Lifetime Assurance GUL policy for people ages 18 to 45, and up to $500,000 in coverage for people ages 46 to 60 without requiring a medical exam. Protective will evaluate your health profile to confirm if you’re eligible for this kind of no-exam coverage.
If you’re looking for lifelong coverage over $50,000 at a lower cost when compared to other permanent policies, GUL may work for you.
Learn more >> How guaranteed universal life insurance works
Compare the best no-medical-exam life insurance companies
Company | Policygenius rating | Average time for no-exam approval | Maximum coverage amount |
|---|---|---|---|
4.9/5 ★ | Up to 3 weeks | $2 million | |
4.8/5 ★ | Up to 4 weeks | $3 million | |
4.8/5 ★ | Varies by applicant | $1 million | |
4.6/5 ★ | Up to 4 weeks | $2 million | |
4.5/5 ★ | Up to 2 weeks | $40,000 for simplified, $25,000 for guaranteed |
Types of no-exam life insurance policies
You have three types of no-exam life insurance policies to choose from, each with unique features and eligibility requirements.
1. Accelerated underwriting term life insurance
Accelerated underwriting uses technology and data to assess your risk quickly — often providing an instant decision. You’ll answer a health questionnaire, and the insurer will check your prescription history, driving record, and other data sources. If you qualify, you can get up to $3 million in term life coverage in as little as 24 hours.
Best for:
Healthy applicants under age 60
Those seeking high coverage amounts
People who want fast, hassle-free life insurance
Learn more >> How to get life insurance faster with accelerated underwriting
2. Simplified issue life insurance
Simplified issue life insurance skips the medical exam, but does require you to answer a few health questions. Coverage amounts are typically lower (up to $40,000), and approval can take a few days to two weeks.
Best for:
Seniors and those with moderate health issues
People seeking life insurance without health questions or with minimal underwriting
Final expense coverage
Learn more >> How simplified issue life insurance works
3. Guaranteed issue life insurance
Guaranteed issue life insurance offers near-certain approval — no health questions, no medical exam. Coverage amounts are modest (up to $25,000), and policies are often used for final expenses.
Best for:
People ages 45 to 85
Individuals with serious pre-existing conditions
Those who have been declined elsewhere
Learn more >> How guaranteed issue life insurance works
Benefits and drawbacks of no-exam life insurance
How lifestyle factors affect no-exam life insurance
Your lifestyle and occupation can impact your eligibility and premiums for no-exam life insurance.
Smoking
Smokers pay higher premiums — sometimes double those of non-smokers.
Some companies offer more lenient rates for occasional or former smokers.
High-risk occupations
Jobs like firefighting, law enforcement, or commercial fishing may limit your options or increase rates.
Some insurers specialize in high-risk applicants and offer tailored policies.
Health conditions
Pre-existing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure may affect approval or rates.
Accelerated underwriting may still be available for well-managed conditions.
Application process for no-exam life insurance
Buying life insurance without a medical exam is straightforward:
Get a quote: Use an online life insurance application or speak with a licensed agent through Policygenius.
Complete a health questionnaire: Answer questions about your health, lifestyle, and occupation online or over the phone.
Data verification: The insurer checks your prescription history, driving record, and public records.
Instant or fast decision: Many applicants receive a decision within minutes to days.
Policy issuance: Review, sign, and activate your policy.
What if I’m declined?
The insurer may request a medical exam for further assessment.
You can explore alternatives like fully underwritten or group life insurance.
Learn more >> What to do if your life insurance application is denied
No-exam policy customization and coverage options
No-exam term life insurance policies can be tailored to your needs:
Coverage amounts: Range from $25,000 to $3 million, depending on the policy type
Term lengths: May offer 10, 20, 30, or even 40 years with some providers
Riders: Add-ons like accelerated death benefit, waiver of premium, or child riders
Senior life insurance options: Policies designed for those up to age 85, with final expense coverage
Tip: Discuss your needs with a licensed Policygenius agent to ensure your policy fits your financial protection goals.
Transitioning from no-exam to traditional life insurance
As your health improves or your needs change, you may want to switch to a traditional policy for better rates or higher coverage.
When to switch: If you’ve quit smoking, improved your health, or need more coverage.
How to upgrade: Apply for a fully underwritten policy — you may qualify for lower premiums.
Timeline: Review your policy annually and compare life insurance quotes to maximize savings.
Learn more >> How to convert your term life insurance policy
Alternatives to no-exam life insurance
If you don’t qualify for no-exam term life insurance, consider:
Fully underwritten policies: Require a medical exam, but offer lower premiums and higher coverage
Group life insurance: Often available through employers, sometimes with no medical exam
Accidental death insurance: Covers you if you die in an accident, or if an accident causes you to lose a hand, foot, or limb
Frequently asked questions
How can I get life insurance without a medical exam?
Apply online or with a licensed agent through Policygenius for accelerated underwriting, simplified issue, or guaranteed issue policies.
Is no-exam life insurance worth it?
Yes, if you need fast, hassle-free life insurance approval or have health concerns that make traditional policies difficult, no-exam life insurance is worth it.
What are the coverage limits of no-exam life insurance?
Some companies offer no-exam term life insurance up to $3 million; simplified and guaranteed issue policies typically come with options between $25,000 and $40,000.
Can seniors get term life insurance with no medical exam?
Yes, many insurers offer life insurance for seniors with no medical exam, though coverage amounts may be lower.
What if I have a pre-existing condition — can I still get no-exam life insurance?
You may still qualify for simplified or guaranteed issue life insurance if you have a pre-existing condition, though premiums may be higher.
