The short answer
Buy life insurance online isn't a separate product. It's a term life policy, and for online the difference is mainly how carriers review the application and set the rate. Rules vary by carrier, so comparing several through an independent agent is the simplest way to find a good fit.
This guide answers the most common questions about buy life insurance online with pre-existing conditions.
A medical exam is the part of applying that many people dread. For a lot of applicants, it is now optional.
Here is how no-exam term life works and how to compare it fairly.
Part of our complete guide: Term Life Insurance: The Complete Guide.
Quick answer
You still answer health questions; the insurer checks records. Decisions can be fast; amounts may be capped. Healthy applicants should compare exam and no-exam quotes.
MarketView Agency is an independent insurance agency (National Producer Number 18345705).
On this page
- Buy life insurance online with pre-existing conditions: how buy life insurance online works
- What carriers look at
- Instant term life insurance: common questions from online
- Do you need a medical exam?
- What insurers check instead of an exam
- How insurers decide your rate
- Matching the term to the need
- Is term life right for you?
- Frequently asked questions
Buy life insurance online with pre-existing conditions: how buy life insurance online works
Term life insurance pays a death benefit to the people you name if you pass away during the term, which is usually 10 to 30 years.
The policy works the same way for everyone; what changes from person to person is how the carrier reviews the application and sets the rate.
Tip: Comparing several carriers through an independent agent is the simplest way to see which one fits your situation.
What carriers look at
Every application is reviewed the same basic way: your age, health, habits, the amount and the type of coverage. What differs is how each carrier weighs those details.
- Age when you apply.
- Health history and medications.
- Tobacco use and certain activities.
Compare rates from several carriers in about two minutes. Free, no obligation.
Instant term life insurance: common questions from online
The short version:
Can online get buy life insurance?
Often, yes. Each carrier looks at your age, health and the amount you want in its own way, so a no from one company doesn't mean every carrier will say no. An independent agent can compare several before you apply.
Do online pay more for buy life insurance?
Sometimes. The rate depends on your age, health, the amount and term, and how the carrier views your situation. Comparing carriers shows the range.
How do online qualify for buy life insurance?
You apply and answer the carrier's questions honestly. Depending on the policy, the carrier may review records or ask for a short exam.
What is the best buy life insurance for online?
There's no single best policy. The right one depends on how much coverage you need, for how long, your budget and which carrier's underwriting fits your situation best.
Can online get buy life insurance with no medical exam?
Some carriers offer no-exam options. The application still asks health questions, the carrier may check records, and the amount or price can differ from fully underwritten coverage.
Do you need a medical exam?
Skipping the exam is possible on many policies, but it is not automatic. Insurers decide case by case using the records they can check quickly.
If you are in good health, a fully underwritten policy with an exam can still be the lower-cost option. If speed or convenience matters more, or you dislike needles, a no-exam option may be worth a slightly higher price. Compare both before you decide.
What insurers check instead of an exam
Many carriers use what they call accelerated underwriting. Your application answers are checked against records the insurer can pull in minutes: prescription history, the shared industry database of past applications, driving records and, with some carriers, medical claims data.
If everything lines up, you can be approved without an exam. If something needs a closer look, such as a recent diagnosis or a larger amount than the program allows, the carrier may ask for an exam or records. That isn't a decline; it's just the full process.
How to get covered in 3 steps
- Check your rate. Pick your state and answer a few quick questions about the coverage you want.
- Compare carriers. A licensed agent compares term life insurance options from several insurers and explains the trade-offs.
- Apply and get covered. Many applications take one phone call. Coverage starts once the policy is issued and the first premium is paid.
How insurers decide your rate
Underwriting is how an insurance company decides whether to offer a policy and at what price. It sounds technical, but the idea is simple. The insurer wants a clear picture of your health, your habits and how much coverage you are asking for.
The application
You answer questions about your age, height and weight, tobacco use, medical history and prescriptions. Answer every question fully and honestly. A wrong answer can give the insurer grounds to contest a claim later, especially in the first two years of the policy.
Database checks
Most insurers check prescription history and a shared industry database of past applications. Many also look at your driving record. These checks are why some policies can skip a medical exam: the records answer many of the same questions.
Exam or no exam
Some policies ask for a short exam at home or work, usually a quick health check and a blood and urine sample. Others decide from your answers and records alone. A policy without an exam is faster, but it can cost more or cap how much coverage you can get.
Once the insurer finishes, it offers a rate class. Healthier applicants get better classes and lower rates. If the offer is higher than the quote, an independent agent can often take the same application to another carrier that views your history more kindly.
Matching the term to the need
The right term ends when the need ends. This table shows common pairings.
| Term | Often used for | Things to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| 10 years | A short loan or a gap until savings catch up | Renewal later costs more |
| 20 years | Raising older children, a shorter mortgage | A popular middle ground |
| 30 years | A new 30-year mortgage, young children | Higher price, longest protection |
| Two policies | Needs that end at different times | Laddering can lower total cost |
Is term life right for you?
Often a good fit
- Parents with children at home. Homeowners with a mortgage. Anyone whose income supports others. People who want a lot of coverage at a lower price.
Maybe not the right fit
- People who need coverage for life, such as for final costs or estate planning. People who want cash value they can use later. In those cases, permanent coverage may fit better.
