Home 
Learn & Plan Prepare for Your Term Life Insurance Exam
Preparing For Your Term Life Insurance Medical Exam
Unlike group life insurance (which requires no medical exam) most term life insurance companies require a paramedical report. This means that a medical exam must be completed before an individually underwritten term life insurance policy can be issued.
This term life insurance medical exam is the same as the one you would take if you were buying permanent life insurance. Typically, it consists of:
- A blood test
- Urine specimen
- Blood pressure reading
- Series of health questions
- In some cases, an electrocardiogram (EKG) or additional tests may be required.
The term life insurance exam will be performed by a paramedic, nurse, or a doctor. It will usually take place in your home or office, and is performed at the expense of the term life insurance company. You should plan on spending 30 minutes for a full exam, plus an additional 30 minutes if chest x-rays and EKGs are included.
By preparing for your life insurance medical exam, you can help to avoid unnecessary abnormal exam results, which could put you into a different insurance rate class and affect your term life insurance rate. This is a great way to ensure you qualify for the most affordable term life insurance policy. In order to achieve the best results, we suggest the following life insurance exam tips:
5-7 Days Before Your Exam
- Stick to a healthy diet the week prior to your term life insurance medical exam. Minimize the use of salt and avoid sugary and excess fatty foods.
3 Days Before Your Exam
- Do not drink any alcohol products for 72 hours prior to the term life insurance medical exam. Alcohol is processed by the liver and can cause liver enzymes to become elevated.
1 Day Before Your Exam
- Stay away from ALL caffeine products. Caffeine can elevate blood pressure.
- Avoid nasal decongestants and pain medication such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen (unless directed otherwise by your doctor).
- Do not participate in any strenuous exercise. No jogging, weight lifting or swimming. This can cause elevated protein in the urine.
- Fast 8-10 hours prior to the term life insurance medical exam-taking place. If your exam is scheduled for 8:00am, begin your fast the night before at 10:00pm. Do not eat or drink anything except for water until you complete the exam the next morning.
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Don't eat breakfast or use any form of tobacco before the life insurance medical exam.
- Have a list of your doctors, including addresses and phone numbers on hand.
- Relax. If you followed these exam tips you have nothing to worry about – you're on your way to qualifying for an affordable term life insurance policy.
