Applying for Life Insurance If there is one hard fast rule when it comes to applying for Life Insurance, it’s this: “Honesty is the best policy.” You may or may not have to take an actual medical exam when you apply for life insurance, but you will certainly be asked medical questions as part of the life insurance application process. If an examination is required you will still be asked to fill out a medical questionnaire as part of your life insurance application. You may be tempted to “fudge” on the health questions when applying for a life insurance policy in the attempt to obtain a lower monthly premium. Such a decision is a very bad idea according to life insurance professionals, and could wind up being a very costly mistake. According to the Insurance Information Institute, countless life insurance claims are denied to families already reeling from the death of a loved one, because the deceased did not offer full disclosure of health habits, to the insurance company such as smoking on their application. Even on term policies, the rates a smoker pays for life insurance are can be significantly higher than for non-smokers, tempting many to consider lying about tobacco use – but do not do so! According to life insurance professionals there are just too many opportunities to get caught. It is far better to be honest, and explore the many opportunities you have for the most affordable life insurance policy, given your true health profile – and seriously think about quitting! Similarly, people are often tempted to not disclose medications they may be on for conditions that are under control, such as High Blood Pressure. Such non-disclosure is another major no-no, according to the experts, when applying for life insurance. Many people will rationalize being untruthful on their applications by thinking “so what the insurance company can afford it”. They think they are “getting over” on the “wealthy” insurance company – but the only one they are cheating is their own family. If you lie on your application, and the insurance company finds out when your claim is filed, all they are responsible to pay is the premiums you paid in, and not the full death benefit. So the million dollars you thought you were leaving for your wife and kids to pay the mortgage, and college, and other expenses when you die, could wind up being barely a few thousand, which may not even cover the cost of your funeral! Rates for term life insurance are at historic lows, even for smokers. It really does not pay to take the risk. You can get competitive life insurance quotes from a number of respectable Life Insurance companies, by quickly and honestly filling out an online application. One more note about a life insurance medical exam. If a medical exam is required as part of your life insurance application, it usually can be conveniently scheduled in your home. Life insurance medical exams are not complete physicals, but are basic tests done most often by a paramedic. The exam usually entails taking vital signs like blood pressure, an EKG to evaluate your heart, and the medic will also withdraw a few vials of blood for testing.