In our last blogpost, we discussed what information do you need to get ready in order to receive life insurance quotes. Now we will discuss the actual application process.
After you’ve found your best quote, you’ll need to apply for the life insurance policy - this process can take from several weeks to several months. The process of applying for life insurance can involve even more extremely personal questions, paperwork, and a medical exam.
Here’s what will happen -
Verify your application
First, you’ll need to speak with an agent on the phone who will verify some of the information you provided online and confirm that the quote you selected is the best policy for you. The agent will then provide some paperwork for you to sign and submit your application to the insurer.
Schedule your medical exam
If the insurance company requires a medical exam (and most do), a contractor known as a paramedical professional will contact you to schedule the exam. The paramedical professional is trained like a nurse in performing a physical exam.
Life insurance medical exams sound like a pain, but the reality is they try to make them as easy as possible for you. They’ll come to your workplace during the day or your home very early in the morning.
Complete your exam, then wait!
The examiner will take a thorough medical history to confirm the info in your application. He or she will take your blood pressure and draw a blood sample that will be sent to a lab to test for cholesterol and glucose levels, tobacco and drug use, and diseases. These results could be shared with you by mail.
In life insurance applications, honesty is paramount: don’t be surprised if you must answer the same question about your medical history or tobacco use five times, but always answer honestly. Insurance companies share information, so misrepresenting information might not just get you denied from one carrier, but banned from many. Worse, it could give the insurer legal grounds to deny your family’s claim if you die.
The insurance underwriter’s job is to take all the information from your application and medical exam and decide whether to insure you and how much to charge. This takes many weeks. You’ll want to ask your agent whether the carrier binds any life insurance upon receipt of the application. For example, when you submit your application and a check for your first premium, many carriers will insure you for something, although not the full amount you’re requesting, pending completion of the underwriting process.
What to expect after you apply
When your policy is approved, it is placed in force and you will be notified, and receive a full copy of the policy.
If you didn’t already provide your agent with a deposit, you’ll be asked to make the first premium payment.
Some insurers may allow you to make your first payment to bind your policy upon submission of your application (prior to your medical exam). The insurer reserves the right to cancel the policy or increase your premium if your exam reveals previously undisclosed medical conditions, however. Either way, be sure to ask when your policy will be effective—especially if you’re replacing an existing policy. Don’t cancel the old life insurance before you’re sure the new policy is in effect!
The agent will send you a hard copy of the policy. You should make a copy of this policy, place the original and the copy in different spots for safekeeping, and tell your spouse where they are. Finally, you can relax knowing that one of the most important pieces a solid financial plan is in place for you and your family.
That’s it! Although it seems like a lot, the process of buying life insurance can be easier than you think. Scheduling the medical exam and waiting on the results are the only real hassle.
After you’ve found your best quote, you’ll need to apply for the life insurance policy - this process can take from several weeks to several months. The process of applying for life insurance can involve even more extremely personal questions, paperwork, and a medical exam.
Here’s what will happen -
Verify your application
First, you’ll need to speak with an agent on the phone who will verify some of the information you provided online and confirm that the quote you selected is the best policy for you. The agent will then provide some paperwork for you to sign and submit your application to the insurer.
Schedule your medical exam
If the insurance company requires a medical exam (and most do), a contractor known as a paramedical professional will contact you to schedule the exam. The paramedical professional is trained like a nurse in performing a physical exam.
Life insurance medical exams sound like a pain, but the reality is they try to make them as easy as possible for you. They’ll come to your workplace during the day or your home very early in the morning.
Complete your exam, then wait!
The examiner will take a thorough medical history to confirm the info in your application. He or she will take your blood pressure and draw a blood sample that will be sent to a lab to test for cholesterol and glucose levels, tobacco and drug use, and diseases. These results could be shared with you by mail.
In life insurance applications, honesty is paramount: don’t be surprised if you must answer the same question about your medical history or tobacco use five times, but always answer honestly. Insurance companies share information, so misrepresenting information might not just get you denied from one carrier, but banned from many. Worse, it could give the insurer legal grounds to deny your family’s claim if you die.
The insurance underwriter’s job is to take all the information from your application and medical exam and decide whether to insure you and how much to charge. This takes many weeks. You’ll want to ask your agent whether the carrier binds any life insurance upon receipt of the application. For example, when you submit your application and a check for your first premium, many carriers will insure you for something, although not the full amount you’re requesting, pending completion of the underwriting process.
What to expect after you apply
When your policy is approved, it is placed in force and you will be notified, and receive a full copy of the policy.
If you didn’t already provide your agent with a deposit, you’ll be asked to make the first premium payment.
Some insurers may allow you to make your first payment to bind your policy upon submission of your application (prior to your medical exam). The insurer reserves the right to cancel the policy or increase your premium if your exam reveals previously undisclosed medical conditions, however. Either way, be sure to ask when your policy will be effective—especially if you’re replacing an existing policy. Don’t cancel the old life insurance before you’re sure the new policy is in effect!
The agent will send you a hard copy of the policy. You should make a copy of this policy, place the original and the copy in different spots for safekeeping, and tell your spouse where they are. Finally, you can relax knowing that one of the most important pieces a solid financial plan is in place for you and your family.
That’s it! Although it seems like a lot, the process of buying life insurance can be easier than you think. Scheduling the medical exam and waiting on the results are the only real hassle.
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