When you apply for an individual life insurance policy, the life insurance company will review your medical history to determine what level of risk you present. Depending on the type of policy you’re applying for and how much coverage, this can include anything from a review of your medical records to a nurse visit for a full-blown exam.
What Does a Physical Exam for Life Insurance Include?
If you need to undergo a physical, you’ll receive an email or a call from the life insurer to set up an appointment for the nurse to come by your home.
The nurse will ask you questions about your medical history. You might have answered them already when you applied for the policy, but the nurse could request more details.
The nurse will ask you for your height and weight, as well as whether or not you use tobacco products, alcohol, or controlled substances. They’ll also want to know what medications you’re taking, if any.
The nurse may want to take your blood pressure and listen to your heart and lungs.
Usually, the nurse will request a urine sample. Some life insurers also request a blood sample. Note that any substances you use—from medications to controlled substances—will turn up in your samples.
Always Be Honest and Thorough
Be honest and thorough in all your answers. If you omit information or say something that your medical records contradict, it could wind up costing you the policy.
If you’re worried you might forget something, make a note of it ahead of time. For instance, if you take multiple medications and have a hard time remembering them all, write them down and keep the list handy for the nurse’s visit.
It’s also important to realize that the nurse works for the insurance company. So while you must be honest and give comprehensive answers, remember that they’re not there to diagnose or treat you. Everything they write down about your health will be taken into account by the underwriters when deciding how insurable you are.
Get Help With Your Life Insurance Exam
It can be nerve-wracking to go through a life insurance exam, especially if you have a condition that affects your health like heart disease or diabetes. That’s why it’s wise to work with an independent life insurance broker who can help you find an insurer that is flexible in its underwriting.
What’s more: An independent life insurance broker can also help you prepare for your medical exam by informing you about the type of questions the nurse will ask you.
Get help from the best independent life insurance brokers in the business, contact us today!
