Will my Application be Denied if I Refuse a Medical Exam?

When you apply for life insurance the insurance company may ask you to submit to a medical exam. They do this because they want their doctor to tell them what kind of a risk you are. They want to ensure that they make the best possible decision about your coverage. In order to know for sure that your health is good or at the very least good enough to take you on as a risk, they need the medical exam.

At any point in the insurance purchasing process you are well within your rights to call off the whole thing, even when buying life insurance coverage for relatives. If you are asked to take a medical exam and you do not want to, you don't have to. That being said, the insurer is well within their rights to not sell you a policy. They are legally allowed to ask you to submit to a medical test.

Medical Exams

Medical exams are not your best day. We get it. Although, it is not much fun to be poked, prodded, and quizzed about your health history and your ancestors every malady the insurance company has to watch the bottom line. They have to weigh the risk of covering your life. They have to figure out what premiums to charge you to make some profit, and they want to ensure they are not covering anyone that is a bad risk. The more honest and upfront you are from the beginning, the better. When you initially interview or fill out an application for life insurance you will be asked about your health and lifestyle. If you are a smoker, it is best to be upfront. The likelihood that you will be found out is great. If you are upfront about your entire health picture and your lifestyle, there will be no surprises.

When you are asked to take a medical exam you have the choice of whether or not to do it but be prepared to have any offer of coverage or even the consideration of coverage taken off the table. The insurer may make you another offer for less coverage over a shorter term but that is completely up to them. The bottom line is you have to submit to the procedures they require or they can just refuse to continue the process. Until the papers are signed, you and the insurance company are entitled to walk away at any time.

Other Options

If you should decide you are not comfortable with taking a medical exam or you are under the impression that you would not fare well, it might be time to look at different types of policies with lower coverage amounts. You can still get affordable term life insurance without a medical exam. Depending on your age, it can be really affordable. Many people are surprised at just how cheap term life can be for people in their 20's and 30's. We are talking pennies a day for valuable protection for you and your family.

Before you refuse a medical exam be sure you understand what the process would be like. Ask your agent what about your term life insurance health would preclude you from getting coverage. You might be surprised what the insurance company is looking for. Even if you have chronic disease but you maintain it, the insurance company will take that into consideration. The bottom line is your application will be denied if you refuse a medical exam. All you can do is contact the insurer and ask them what your alternatives are.

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