Why This Matters

The underwriting process protects everyone. If insurance companies didn’t carefully evaluate risk, they’d either go bankrupt paying claims or charge everyone extremely high premiums. Careful underwriting means people who are genuine risks pay appropriate rates, and people who are low-risk get better rates. This system works better when you’re honest.

It’s Not Personal

Underwriters aren’t looking to deny you or trick you. They’re following objective guidelines to assess risk. A declined application doesn’t mean you’re a “bad person”—it means the company determined you don’t fit their risk profile at this time. Other companies might approve you. Appeals or reapplication later (after health improves) might succeed.

Step 1: Get a Quote (24 Hours)

You contact an insurance agent or company and provide basic information: age, health status, whether you smoke, desired coverage amount, and term length. The company runs this through their quote system and provides an estimate. This is not a commitment—just an idea of what your rate might be. No application yet.

Step 2: Formal Application (Same Day to 2 Days)

You decide to proceed and complete a formal application. This is detailed—asking about medical history, medications, surgeries, hospitalizations, lifestyle, occupation, family medical history, and sometimes financial information. You might do this online, over the phone with an agent, or on paper. Accuracy here is critical—this information determines your rate and approval.

Step 3: No-Exam Review (24-48 Hours) OR Medical Exam (3-7 Days)

If your coverage amount is low and you’re young/healthy, the company might skip the medical exam and make a decision based on your application and prescription history check. If a medical exam is required, a nurse visits your home or office to collect blood/urine samples and vital signs. You answer health questions during the exam. Results go to underwriting.

Step 4: Underwriting Review (2-7 Days)

A trained underwriter reviews all information: your application, medical exam results (if any), prescription history, medical records requests, and occupation details. They compare your profile to the company’s underwriting guidelines and determine if you fit their acceptable risk categories and what rate applies. They might request additional information.

Step 5: Final Decision (1-3 Days)

The underwriter makes a final decision: approved at the quoted rate, approved with modifications (higher rate, lower benefit, or restrictions), postponed pending additional information, or declined. They communicate this to you through your agent. If approved, you will receive a formal approval letter explaining your rate.

Step 6: Policy Issuance and Delivery (1-2 Days)

If approved, your policy is officially issued. You receive policy documents outlining all terms, benefits, exclusions, and your obligations. You have a 30-day free look period to review and cancel without penalty if you change your mind. Once this period passes, your policy is active and your death benefit is in force.

What Labs Check For

Blood tests check for cholesterol levels, glucose (diabetes), liver/kidney function, drug use, and other health markers. Urine tests check for glucose, protein, drug metabolites, and other indicators. These results paint a picture of your health—not a diagnosis, just indicators of risk. Slightly elevated cholesterol doesn’t automatically deny you; it might just adjust your rate.

What They DON’T Check

The exam isn’t comprehensive. It doesn’t include imaging (X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI), stress tests, or doctor consultations. If underwriters want detailed medical information, they request your medical records directly from your doctor. The exam just provides baseline health data and is combined with your application and medical history.

Basic Information

Personal: Full name, date of birth, Social Security number, contact information.

Financial: Annual income, occupation, employer.

Desired Coverage: Death benefit amount, term length, type (term vs. permanent).

Beneficiary: Who receives the death benefit.

Medical History

Conditions: Any diagnosed conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, asthma, etc.).

Medications: All medications you currently take, dosages, and how long. Surgeries: Major surgeries, procedures, hospitalizations.

Family History: Did parents/siblings have serious illnesses? At what age?

Lifestyle Information

Smoking: Do you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or use tobacco?

Alcohol: How many drinks per week?

Drug Use: Any illegal drug use?

Activities: Any dangerous hobbies (mountaineering, skydiving, etc.)?

Occupation Details

Job Title: What exactly do you do?

Environment: Do you work with hazardous materials?

Travel: Do you travel internationally or to dangerous areas?

Income Source: Is income commission-based, stable salary, or variable?

Existing Insurance

Employer Coverage: Do you have group life insurance through your job? How much?

Other Policies: Do you have existing individual life insurance? How much?

Reason for Application: Why are you applying for additional coverage?

Pro Tip: Gather This First

Before applying, write down: all current medications and dosages, all medical conditions and when diagnosed, all surgeries and procedures with dates, family members’ major illnesses and ages when diagnosed. Having this information ready speeds the application process significantly.

✓ Factors That Help Approval

• Young age (under 50)
• Non-smoker status
• No serious health conditions
• Controlled chronic conditions (well-managed diabetes, blood pressure)
• Healthy BMI
• No family history of early death
• Stable occupation (not dangerous)
• Moderate alcohol use; no drug use

✗ Factors That Hinder Approval

• Tobacco/nicotine use (smokers pay 2-3x more)
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Recent cancer or active cancer treatment
• Heart disease or recent cardiac events
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Heavy alcohol use or DUI history
• Illegal drug use
• Dangerous occupation (certain military roles, test pilots)
• Risky hobbies (mountaineering, extreme sports)
• Suicide attempts within the past 5 years

✓ Approved

You’re approved at the quoted rate. You receive an approval letter, policy documents, and can activate coverage. This is the outcome for most healthy people. About 85-90% of applications are approved with standard rates or minor modifications.

~ Approved with Modifications

You’re approved, but not at the quoted rate. Your actual rate might be 15-50% higher due to health factors. Alternatively, your maximum benefit amount might be lower, or certain exclusions might apply. You can accept the modification or decline and reapply later.

⏸ Postponed/Pending

The underwriter needs additional information before deciding. They might request medical records from your doctor, ask for clarification on your application, or request updated health information. This typically delays approval by 3-7 days. Once you provide the information, they make a final decision.

✗ Declined

Your application was denied. This happens when you don’t fit the company’s acceptable risk profile. Reasons might include active cancer treatment, advanced heart disease, or current suicide risk assessment. Declining doesn’t mean you can never get insurance—other companies might approve you, or reapplication after a certain time might succeed.

How long before I’m approved?

Direct answer: 24-48 hours for no-exam; 5-14 days if medical exam required; longer if additional information needed.

Most healthy young adults get approved within 48 hours without a medical exam. If an exam is needed, schedule it quickly, and the results usually come back within 3-5 days. Any delays usually come from you not returning information promptly or the underwriter requesting additional medical records from your doctor.

Can I lie on my application?

Direct answer: Technically, you could, but don’t. Lies discovered during underwriting result in policy rescission.

If you lie aboutyour  health history and die within the first two years, the insurance company can research and discover the truth, then deny the claim. Your beneficiary gets nothing—worse than if you’d paid a higher rate initially. Be honest. Slightly higher rates are far better than risking a denied claim. Additionally, most information gets verified anyway through medical records and prescription history checks.

Does the medical exam hurt?

Direct answer: No. It’s quick (20-30 minutes) and minimally invasive.

A paramedic-level nurse takes your vitals, asks health questions, and collects blood and urine samples. Blood collection is a quick needle stick—uncomfortable briefly, but not painful. A urine sample is just that—a sample. The entire process is routine, and you can do it at home or work. Many insurance companies offer this convenience.

What if I’m currently on medication?

Direct answer: That’s fine. List all medications, dosages, and how long you’ve been taking them.

Being on medication doesn’t automatically disqualify you. What matters is what condition the medication treats and how well-controlled the condition is. Someone on blood pressure medication that’s well-controlled might get standard rates. Someone on the same medication with poorly controlled blood pressure might pay more. Honesty about medications actually helps your case by showing you’re managing health proactively.

What if my health changes after I apply but before approval?

Direct answer: Tell the insurance company immediately. Not disclosing it might void your policy later.

If you get diagnosed with something or have a significant health event between application and approval, tell your agent immediately. The company will update your file. This might delay approval or change your rate, but not disclosing it is far worse—if discovered later, your policy could be rescinded. Full disclosure protects you.

Can I appeal if I’m declined?

Direct answer: Yes, you can appeal with most companies, especially if circumstances have changed.

If you believe the company made an error or if your health has improved significantly since the initial decision, you can request reconsideration. Additionally, you can apply to different companies. Different underwriters have different standards, so a decline from one company doesn’t mean all companies will decline you.

Is my personal health information kept private?

Direct answer: Yes. Health information is protected under federal law (HIPAA) and state privacy laws.

Your medical information is confidential. The insurance company can only use it for underwriting purposes. They can’t share it with your employer, other insurers (without your permission), or the public. Privacy protections are serious—violations result in significant legal consequences for the company.