How Will I Be Evaluated
When you purchase life insurance, your medical history is reviewed by an insurance company underwriter. The underwriting review determines whether or not your application will be accepted and identifies your risk classification. This classification groups your application with those for people with similar health histories and risk characteristics. The amount of insurance you apply for, your age and the underwriting rating class are all factors in your premium calculation.
Underwriters look at an applicant’s income and lifestyle, medical history and overall health, their family’s medical history and hazardous avocations such as dangerous recreational sports or occupations.
We realize that information we request is personal and sensitive. For this reason, the information we collect is kept confidential and shared with only those who must have this information to determine your eligibility for life insurance.
Health Evaluation Questionnaire
We have developed a few questions that can help estimate your underwriting classification and therefore how much you might pay for your life insurance. While these questions will not guarantee your underwriting class, the questionnaire result will give you an idea on what classification your life insurance quote may be based.
What is the Underwriting Process
Based upon your age and the amount of life insurance you are applying for, a medical exam will be required to help us make the most informed underwriting decision and offer you the most competitive rate possible.
The medical examination is conducted at our expense, by either a paramedical examiner at your home or business or by a doctor at a physician’s office depending on your age and the amount of coverage you have applied for. At minimum, the preliminary exam includes:
- Taking your blood pressure
- Measuring your height, weight, and pulse
- Collecting blood and possibly urine specimens
- Documenting your medical history
In most cases however, this exam and interview will take only around 30 minutes. It is important to have on hand:
- Your driver’s license
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of doctors, hospitals, or clinics you have visited
- Reasons and dates of treatment
- The names, dosages and frequencies of any prescription medicine you are taking
- Other life insurance policies
- Financial information
Get a good night’s sleep prior to the exam and, if you can, skip heavy exercise on the day it is scheduled. You will see best results if you relax and also:
- Do not eat solid foods or drink alcoholic beverages eight hours prior to the exam.
- Avoid tobacco or caffeine products for at least one hour prior to the exam
- Drink a glass of water before providing the urine specimen
