A blood test is required for all life insurance policies. After the company has reviewed and approved your application, the medical examination will be performed.
Blood testing for life insurance is vital
A representative from the insurer, or their medical partner, will visit your home or workplace to conduct your life insurance blood testing. Or, you can go to an examination center. The examiner will also need to perform a blood test. The examiner will record your height and weight, along with other information like what medications you are taking. A urine sample may be required. An EKG may be required in rare cases.
This information will tell potential insurers if you are a suitable candidate for a policy. Life insurance is built around the idea of risk. Your health status can determine which “risk group” you are placed in. Rates will go up as your health declines. Companies may refuse to issue policies if there is a high likelihood that you will die during the policy’s life. You are more likely to be approved for a policy if you are healthy.
If your exam and blood tests show that you are in good physical health, you might be assigned to the preferred + (sometimes known as “super preferred”) group. This group will receive the lowest premiums. You may still be eligible to buy a policy if you are in the standard or substandard group, but your rate might be higher.
What are life insurance companies looking for?
There are many purposes to the life insurance blood test. It is first designed to assess your general health. It will also confirm the information you provided in your application. If, for example, you state that you don’t smoke but the blood test shows that there is nicotine in your blood, this could be a red flag.
These health conditions can be detected by blood tests:
- HIV/AIDS: AIDS has become a chronic condition that some insurance companies consider to be a death sentence. You may be able to get coverage if you’re receiving proper HIV care, but you might have to pay a higher premium.
- STDs Just because you have a sexually transmitted disorder does not mean that you cannot get a policy. To ensure that the company knows that you have had a sexually transmitted disease, please include this information in your application.
- Cholesterol An insurer will be interested in your total cholesterol and ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol , which is good to have. Your risk group and premium can be affected by your cholesterol levels.
- Hemoglobin A1C, glucose levels: Hemoglobin measures your long-term blood sugar levels. A high level of could indicate diabetes. At the time of testing, glucose is measured. 80 to 130 mg per deciliter is the optimal range before eating.
- Kidney disease. Like all chronic conditions, there are greater chances that you will not be approved for a policy if you have kidney disease. You will also likely pay more for the policy if you do get one. Talk to an agent if you have kidney disease.
- Diabetes: Life insurance is more difficult for people with diabetes. If you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes later in your life, you will be approved more often. You may be eligible for lower rates if your diabetes can easily controlled through diet.
- Drugs Your insurer will most likely deny your application if you have illegal substances in your blood. To ensure that the insurer does not find any surprises during the blood test, if you are on a legal prescribed medication, please indicate this on your application.
- Nicotine Higher rates will be imposed for any signs of nicotine or cotinine. You should indicate if you have a patch on your app. The blood test can’t distinguish how nicotine got into your system.
Before you take your life insurance blood tests
Fasting for 8-12 hours will be required before the blood test. It is best to schedule it early in the morning. It is possible that questions will be asked about the information you provided on your application. Talking to your doctor may be a good idea to discuss what you should eat during the week leading to a blood test.
Avoid taking over-the-counter flu and cold medications or decongestants. These could lead to false positives for illegal substances.
Questions frequently asked
Which is the best life-insurance company?
There are many factors that influence the premium, including your health, budget, and other factors. The best life insurance company might not be the right one for you. Our Best Life Insurance Companies in 2021 listing is a good place to begin your search.
What is guaranteed-life insurance?
Guaranteed Life Insurance This policy is for those who have serious health issues or are unable to get approval for a whole-life or regular term policy. Guaranteed life insurance doesn’t require a medical screening or exam. These policies are generally more expensive and offer a lower death benefit (generally around $25,000.
What are the factors that affect my life insurance premiums?
Your general health is the most important factor. This includes whether you smoke or drink heavily, as well as whether you have any chronic illnesses. Your cost will also be affected by the type of policy ( whole life or term ), its length, and the amount of the death benefits.
What amount of life insurance do you need?
Your income, debt levels, and whether you want to leave money to your loved ones to replace lost income will all impact the amount of life insurance that you need. Talk to your agent about your life insurance requirements.
