Many Americans who need life insurance avoid getting it. This avoidance is sometimes due to a fear of being rejected coverage, not wanting to participate in an invasive medical exam or worrying that life insurance will cost too much.
But what if you could get affordable life insurance with no medical exam? Getting life insurance without a medical exam is easy and doesn’t require an invasion into your health and personal history. MoneyGeek reviewed dozens of real quotes, including available coverages and policy offerings, to find the seven best no medical exam life insurance companies for every age group.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Seven Best Life Insurance With No Medical Exam:
— Best Online Company for No Medical Exam
— Best for Guaranteed Acceptance With No Medical Exam
— Best For Payout in Waiting Period
— Best for Shortest Waiting Period
— Best for Living Benefit
— Best for Veterans
Resources:
- Best No Medical Exam Company Comparison Summary
- Guaranteed vs. Simplified vs. Term Life That Doesn’t Require an Exam
- Real Quotes for Policy Types That Don’t Require Medical Exams
- Should You Buy Life Insurance With or Without a Medical Exam?
- Methodology
Best Online Company for No Medical Exam: Haven Life
pros
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100% digital process
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Many approved instantly
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Accelerated death benefit included
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Credit cards accepted
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Not available to CA, DE, SD, ND or NY residents
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No 30-year option
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Only available up to age 55
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTSMoneyGeek Score: N/A
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): N/A
AM Best Rating: A++
NAIC
Complaint Index: N/A
MoneyGeek's Take: Haven Life offers an entirely digital experience, so you can buy term life insurance with no medical exam from anywhere, with instant coverage if approved.
Buying term life insurance with Haven Life is simple and quick. You can apply in less than 10 minutes for Haven Simple, thanks to the 100% online application process. Most applicants will get approved instantly. As soon as you are approved, coverage starts immediately, so you can have the peace of mind that your beneficiary will be paid if anything happens to you.
You can choose from 5-, 10-, 15- or 20-year term coverage starting at $25,000 and going up to $500,000, which is one of the higher coverage ranges for simplified issue term life insurance. Anyone between the ages of 20 and 55 can apply, and the policy is issued by a subsidiary of MassMutual called C.M. Life Insurance Company.
The no medical exam term life insurance policy has an accelerated death benefit rider at no extra cost. With this rider, if you are diagnosed with a terminal illness and have less than two years to live, you can receive a portion of the death benefit while still alive. You can use this money for any reason, but it reduces your death benefit owed to your beneficiary when you pass away. When the policy term expires, you can choose to renew it at your current age without a medical exam.
Policy Types Offered:
- Haven Simple
Best for Term Life With No Medical Exam: Ethos Life
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Up to $2 million in term coverage
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100% digital process
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Eligible up to age 65
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Health questions required
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTSMoneyGeek Score: N/A
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): N/A
AM Best Rating: A
NAIC Complaint
Index: N/A
MoneyGeek's Take: Ethos Life offers up to $2 million of term life insurance coverage with a medical exam, one of the highest coverage amounts for term life available.
With Ethos Life, applicants between 20 and 65 can apply for up to $2 million in term life insurance. You can choose from 10, 15, 20 and 30 years of term life insurance coverage. While no medical exam is required, you have to answer a few health questions to qualify. If you answer “no” to the health questions, you are approved, and coverage starts immediately. These simplified issue term life insurance policies are issued by one of three top life insurance companies: Ameritas, Legal & General America and TruStage.
Ethos Life offers a 30-day free look period, which allows you to cancel the policy for any reason within the first 30 days. If you do, there is no cancellation fee, and any money paid will be refunded in full. You don’t have to speak with an agent, but if you want to, Ethos has dedicated, salaried agents who don’t work on commission, so you can get the help you need. Ethos also offers one of the best no medical exam life insurance policies for seniors through AAA Life, with no medical exam or health questions and up to $30,000 in permanent life insurance coverage.
Policy Types Offered:
- 10-year term
- 15-year term
- 20-year term
- 30-year term
Best for Guaranteed Acceptance With No Medical Exam: Mutual of Omaha
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Coverage is guaranteed
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Smokers pay the same rate as nonsmokers
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Can apply as young as 45
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Only up to $25,000 in coverage
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Graded death benefit
MoneyGeek Score: 90.8
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 783.4
AM Best Rating: A+
NAIC Complaint
Index: 1.20
MoneyGeek’s Take: Mutual of Omaha offers guaranteed acceptance no medical exam coverage for seniors that you can buy online or over the phone.
Mutual of Omaha is one of the most recognized names in the life insurance industry. It offers a guaranteed issue whole life insurance policy for applicants between 45 and 85 (50–75 in NY). Coverage ranges from $2,000–$25,000 (begins at $5,000 in WA), and there are no health questions or medical exams to complete.
This policy comes with a graded death benefit, which means your beneficiary will only receive 110% of the premiums instead of the death benefit if you die during the first two years. However, accidental deaths are covered immediately by a full death benefit paid to your beneficiary. Mutual of Omaha prides itself on fast claims payouts, with most paid within a day of filing.
You can also buy simplified whole life insurance for your child from Mutual of Omaha. Children as young as 14 days are eligible for up to $50,000 in coverage. There is no medical exam, but you have to answer three health questions about the child. If you answer “no,” then the policy is approved. The children’s whole life insurance policy has an immediate death benefit regardless of cause, and is a great way to get affordable, permanent life insurance with the option to purchase more at a later time without a medical exam or health questions.
Policy Types Offered:
- Children's Whole Life Insurance
- Guaranteed Whole Life Insurance
Best for Payout in Waiting Period: AAA
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Immediate death benefit on term and simplified issue whole life
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Up to $500,000 in term life coverage
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Can apply up to age 75 for term
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Additional health screening may be required before approval
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Senior whole life has graded death benefit
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTSMoneyGeek Score: N/A
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): N/A
AM Best Rating: A
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.93
MoneyGeek's Take: AAA Life offers an immediate death benefit on its term and whole life products, regardless of the cause of death.
At AAA Life, you can apply for term or whole life insurance without a medical exam or waiting period if you’re between the ages of 18 and 75. You can choose from 10, 15, 20 or 30 years of coverage, with death benefits between $25,000 and $500,000. The application process is quick and doesn’t require a medical exam for most, though some may be required to do a health screening to be approved. Once you’ve paid, the policy death benefit becomes immediately available, regardless of the cause of death.
If you want permanent life insurance, AAA Life offers up to $25,000 in whole life insurance without a medical exam. This policy can be customized with accidental death coverage (which doubles the death benefit if you die in an accident), waiver of premium for disability, travel accident coverage and a $5,000 children's term rider. Seniors can get up to $25,000 in guaranteed whole life insurance starting at 45, up to age 85. However, this policy comes with a graded death benefit, which pays 130% of the premiums paid as the death benefit if you die a non-accidental death in the first two years.
Policy Types Offered:
- ExpressTerm
- Simple Whole Life
- Guaranteed Issue Whole Life
Best for Shortest Waiting Period: Transamerica
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No death benefit waiting period for most applicants
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Number of riders offered, some free
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Can apply for term life coverage up to age 80
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Can't apply online
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Easy Solution final expense policy comes with graded death benefit
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTSMoneyGeek Score: 80
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 736.4
AM Best
Rating: A
NAIC Complaint Index: 1.30
MoneyGeek's Take: If you want no medical exam life insurance without a waiting period on the death benefit, Transamerica has term and whole life options available.
Most of Transamerica’s no medical exam life insurance products come without a waiting period or graded death benefit. That means if you die a day after your policy has been issued and paid for, your beneficiary receives the full death benefit, even for non-accidental deaths. Transamerica has three final expense whole life insurance options: Immediate Solution, 10-Pay Solution and Easy Solution. The Easy Solution policy is the only one with a graded death benefit, which pays 110% of premiums paid as the death benefit for non-accidental deaths. You can apply for up to $50,000 in permanent life insurance with no medical exam at any age.
If you prefer term life insurance, you can apply for up to $249,999 of Trendsetter LB and up to $99,999 of Trendsetter Super Series products without a medical exam. If you need more coverage, Trendsetter LB has coverage up to $2 million, and Super Series goes up to $10 million, which is medically underwritten. Each policy includes an accelerated death benefit for terminal illnesses, and the LB (Living Benefit) product also includes chronic and critical illness coverage at no extra cost.
Policy Types Offered:
- Final Expense Solution Portfolio
- Trendsetter LB
- Trendsetter Super Series
Best for Living Benefits: AIG
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Seniors 50–80 guaranteed acceptance
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Free living benefits
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Death benefit can be used for any need
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Only available to seniors 50–80
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Low coverage limit
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Graded death benefit
MoneyGeek Score: 77.2
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 737.2
AM Best Rating: A
NAIC Complaint
Index: N/A
MoneyGeek's Take: AIG's guaranteed issue whole life policy is one of the best no medical exam life insurance policies for seniors offering living benefits at no extra cost.
Many seniors end up with a chronic or terminal illness in their last years of life. AIG recognizes this need by offering whole life insurance for those aged 50–80 with guaranteed acceptance. You can buy up to $25,000 in whole life insurance with no medical exam or health questions, locking in the same rate for life. AIG’s policy includes two valuable living benefit riders for chronic and terminal illness, allowing you to access part of the death benefit while still alive, which can be used for any purpose — not just paying for medical bills.
The chronic illness benefit will return all premiums paid if you are diagnosed with severe cognitive impairment or cannot perform at least two ADLs (bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring). If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness with less than two years to live, you can access up to 50% of the death benefit. Any acceleration in the death benefit is reduced, with the rest going to your beneficiary when you pass away. This policy comes with a graded death benefit, which means if you die from a non-accidental cause in the first two years, your beneficiary will receive up to 120% of premiums paid instead of the death benefit.
Policy Types Offered:
- Guaranteed Issue Whole Life Insurance
Best for Veterans: Prudential
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Coverage available to recently separated and soon-to-be-separated servicemembers
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Up to $400,000 in group rate coverage
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No exclusions, including PTSD and TBI
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Rates renew every five years
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Eligibility expires 485 days from service separation
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTSMoneyGeek Score: 82.8
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 756
AM Best Rating: A+
NAIC Complaint Index: 0.15
MoneyGeek's Take: Prudential's VGLI policy is the best option for veterans because it offers group term life insurance with no medical exam without exclusions, even for mental health issues.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers group term no medical exam life insurance for veterans, administered by Prudential. Veterans are eligible if they had Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), have been released from duty in the last 485 days, Ready Reserves or National Guard duty. Those assigned to Individual Ready Reserves or Inactive National Guard who apply within 485 days are also eligible.
No medical questions or exams are required, and no health issues are excluded, including PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Veterans can apply for up to $400,000 in coverage, but it cannot exceed the amount of SGLI coverage in place when the separation occurred.
This policy is term life insurance, and rates are based on age and coverage amount at issue. Rates renew every five years, and coverage can be continued for life as long as payments remain current. Veterans with a service-related disability may also qualify for up to $10,000 of lower-cost life insurance. Those interested in this coverage can apply through the VA’s website or their local VA office.
Policy Types Offered:
- Veterans' Group Life Insurance
- Service-Disabled Veterans' Life Insurance
Best No Medical Exam Company Comparison Summary
The following life insurance providers earned MoneyGeek’s top scores for the best no medical life insurance. MoneyGeek’s scores are based on third-party rankings for customer satisfaction and financial strength, which shows a company’s ability to pay out claims in the future. The listed policies don’t require a medical exam but may have a few health questions to answer for eligibility.
Companies
Types of Policies Offered With No Medical Exam
Haven Life
Best Online Company
for No Medical Exam- Policy: Haven Simple
- Policy type: Term (5, 10, 15, 20 years)
- Coverage: $25,000–$500,000
- Issue age: 20–55
- Medical exam: No
Ethos
Best for Term Life
With No Medical Exam- Policy: Simplified issue term life
- Policy type: Term (10, 15, 20, 30 years)
- Coverage: $20,000–$2 million
- Issue age: 20–65
- Medical exam: No, but the application includes health questions
- Policy: Senior life insurance
- Policy type: Guaranteed issue whole life insurance for seniors
- Coverage: $1,000–$30,000
- Issue age: 66–85
- Medical exam: No
Mutual of Omaha
Best for Guaranteed Acceptance
With No Medical Exam- Policy: Children’s whole life
- Policy type: Simplified issue whole life insurance
- Coverage: $5,000–$50,000
- Issue age: 14 days to 17 years
- Medical exam: No, but the application includes three health questions
- Policy: Senior whole life
- Policy type: Guaranteed issue whole life insurance
- Coverage: $2,000–$25,000 ($5,000–$25,000 in WA)
- Issue age: 45–85 (50–75 in NY)
- Medical exam: No
AAA
Best for Payout in
Waiting Period- Policy: ExpressTerm
- Policy type: Term (10, 15, 20, 30 years)
- Coverage: $25,000–$500,000
- Issue age: 18–75
- Medical exam: No, but the application includes health questions
and some may be required to complete a medical exam - Policy: Simple Whole Life
- Policy type: Simplified issue whole life insurance
- Coverage: $5,000–$25,000
- Issue age: 15 days to 18 years
- Medical exam: No, but the application includes health questions
- Policy: Senior whole life
- Policy type: Guaranteed issue whole life insurance
- Coverage: Up to $25,000
- Issue age: 45–85
- Medical exam: No
Transamerica
Best for Shortest
Waiting Period- Policy: Trendsetter LB
- Policy type: Term (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years)
- Coverage: Up to $249,999
- Issue age: 18–80
- Medical exam: No, but the application includes health questions
- Policy: Trendsetter Super Series
- Policy type: Term (10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years)
- Coverage: Up to $99,999
- Issue age: 18–80
- Medical exam: No, but the application includes health questions
- Policy: Final Expense Solution Portfolio
- Policy type: Guaranteed issue whole life insurance
- Coverage: $1,000–$50,000
- Issue age: 0–85
- Medical exam: No, but the application includes health questions
Compare Life Insurance Rates
Ensure you’re getting the best rate for your life insurance. Compare quotes from top providers to find the most affordable life insurance coverage for your needs.
Guaranteed vs. Simplified vs. Term Life That Doesn’t Require an Exam
Life insurance policies come in different shapes and sizes. The type of life insurance you choose determines if you have to complete a medical exam or answer health questions as part of the application process. Depending on your needs, you may benefit most from guaranteed issue, simplified issue or term life insurance.
1
Guaranteed Issue
This type of life insurance doesn’t require health questions or a medical exam. You are approved if you can complete and sign the application (and afford the premiums). This coverage is the most expensive type of life insurance and is mainly for those over 45.
2
Simplified Issue
There is no medical exam with simplified issue life insurance, but you have to answer a few health questions. The questions vary by carrier, but you are approved as long as you can answer “no” to all the questions. You can get term and whole life insurance with simplified issue policies. It’s less expensive than guaranteed issue, and more companies offer simplified issue policies to adults of varying ages, like AAA Life and Transamerica.
3
Term Life
Depending on the carrier, you can get term life insurance with traditional underwriting or simplified issue. As simplified issue has gained popularity, more providers are offering this option to all ages, starting at 18. Term life insurance offers level premiums and death benefits for a specific number of years. Your policy will expire once the term is over if you don’t convert it to permanent life insurance.
Real Quotes for Policy Types That Don’t Require Medical Exams
You can know you're getting the best no medical exam life insurance rates by comparing quotes from different companies. The table below shows the average costs per month for life insurance with no medical exam for healthy adults in different age brackets. Note the range in parentheses, which shows the lowest and highest no medical exam life insurance quotes we received for each policy type.
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Term Life: $250k / 10 Year
Term Life: $250k / 10 Year
Term Life: $500k / 20 Year
Term Life: $500k / 20 Year
Guaranteed Acceptance: $25k
Guaranteed Acceptance: $25k
Guaranteed Acceptance: $10k
Guaranteed Acceptance: $10k
The quotes above were gathered using profiles of healthy, nonsmoking males and females. Averages were calculated using quotes from at least five companies.
Compare Life Insurance Rates
Ensure you’re getting the best rate for your life insurance. Compare quotes from top providers to find the most affordable life insurance coverage for your needs.
Should You Buy Life Insurance With or Without a Medical Exam?
Whether to buy life insurance with or without a medical exam comes down to your coverage needs and current health. Some people will have the advantage when buying life insurance with no medical exam, while others may get a better rate with a medical exam.
Pros of No Medical Exam Life Insurance
Getting traditional life insurance can be expensive if you have health issues because your rates are based on your health. Depending on your health problem, life insurance without a medical exam may be cheaper than traditional life insurance. Most companies offering life insurance with no medical exam have the same rate for smokers and nonsmokers, making it even more affordable for smokers to get this type of life insurance policy.
With traditional life insurance, it can take weeks to get an answer regarding whether you’re approved or denied coverage. With no medical life insurance, you usually get a response within 48 hours of applying. Some will even respond the same day or offer instant coverage if you have a clean driving history and no major health concerns.
Medically underwritten life insurance requires invasive interviews and tests as part of the application process. You have to go over your lifestyle, hobbies and medical history in detail. You'll also need a physical exam, including a blood draw and urine sample. When you buy life insurance with no medical exam, you may have to answer a few basic health questions, but there is no interview process or physical exam to complete.
Cons of No Medical Exam Life Insurance
Insurance is based on risk, and life insurance companies use the medical exam and detailed questionnaire to determine your mortality risk, which translates into your premium. With no medical exam life insurance, your rates are based solely on your age and coverage amount. With fewer factors to determine risk, the life insurer charges more money for the same coverage and policy type. A traditional life insurance policy with medical underwriting may be cheaper for healthy individuals.
While life insurance with no medical exam is easy to get, you usually don’t have as much coverage available. Most no medical life insurance providers cap coverage at $500,000 or less, with seniors being offered $50,000 or less. However, with no medical life insurance becoming more popular, some companies offer up to $1 million in term life insurance without an exam. If you need a substantial amount of life insurance, you may need several no medical exam life insurance policies to match a fully underwritten policy.
Life insurance customization varies by company, but you usually get the most options with traditional life insurance. It allows you to add riders, additional term coverage and other features so you can tailor the policy to meet your specific needs. With no medical exam life insurance, you may not have any riders available or could be limited on customization.
Compare Life Insurance Rates
Ensure you’re getting the best rate for your life insurance. Compare quotes from top providers to find the most affordable life insurance coverage for your needs.
FAQs About No Medical Exam Life Insurance Policies
It isn’t always easy to understand the differences between traditional life insurance policies and those that do not require a medical exam. By understanding the answers to some common questions about this type of policy, you can determine if a life insurance policy with no medical exam is right for you.
Methodology
We go the extra distance so that you can feel confident about the life insurance content you are reading on MoneyGeek. Our ranking for the best no medical life insurance companies incorporates third-party analysis from AM Best and J.D. Power and Associates, real policy quotes from our own proprietary research and analysis of each company's policy offerings and application processes.
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