Simplified Issue Life Insurance: No Medical Exam Coverage, Quotes & 2026 Rates

What Is Simplified Issue Life Insurance?

Simplified issue life insurance is a type of coverage that lets you skip the medical exam but still apply for life insurance. Instead of blood tests and doctor visits, you answer a short health questionnaire and the insurer checks databases (like prescription history and driving records).

It’s designed for people who want fast, convenient, no-exam life insurance coverage — often with decisions in minutes instead of weeks.

Quick Facts:

• No medical exam required
• Approval in days or less
• Coverage amounts up to $500,000 or more (depending on carrier)
• Higher premiums than fully underwritten life insurance
• Available as term or whole life policies

In short, simplified issue is the middle ground between traditional underwriting and guaranteed-issue life insurance.

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Why Simplified Issue Life Insurance Is Growing Fast

More Americans are choosing simplified issue policies because of:

• Speed & convenience: Many people prefer to skip medical exams.
• Digital approval: Many insurers now use online data and automated underwriting.
• Accessibility: Great for people with minor health issues or time constraints.
• No doctor visits: A huge plus for those who hate needles or busy professionals.

You can often apply online and get approved the same day — making it one of the easiest ways to secure protection.

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How Simplified Issue Life Insurance Works

The process is simple:

1. Apply online or by phone — answer 10–15 health and lifestyle questions.
2. Instant database check — insurer reviews prescription and health data.
3. Get approved — many applicants get decisions within minutes.
4. Pay first premium — your policy goes into effect immediately.

💡 Tip: While there’s no medical exam, honesty matters. Carriers still verify health records. If you lie on your application, it can void the policy later.

Comparison: Simplified vs Fully Underwritten

Feature	Simplified Issue	Fully Underwritten
Medical Exam	❌ No exam	✅ Required
Approval Time	⏱️ 1–7 days	🕓 4–8 weeks
Premiums	💲 Slightly higher	💲 Lower
Max Coverage	$50k–$500k (some $1M)	$100k–$5M+
Eligibility	Moderate health OK	Best for excellent health

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Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

• No medical exams or needles
• Quick approval process
• Convenient online application
• Accessible for moderate health conditions
• Better coverage than guaranteed issue

⚠️ Cons

• Higher premiums than full underwriting
• Lower coverage caps (usually under $500k–$1M)
• May include a graded benefit period (limited payout in first 2 years)
• Not ideal for extremely healthy or young applicants who qualify for cheaper policies

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Simplified Issue Life Insurance Rates & Examples

Let’s look at realistic rate quotes based on published averages (2025 estimates).

Age	Coverage	Health Class	Type	Monthly Premium (Approx.)
30	$250,000	Non-smoker, good health	Term 20	$25–$40
40	$250,000	Non-smoker, good health	Term 20	$40–$55
50	$100,000	Average health	Whole Life	$50–$75
60	$50,000	Some health issues	Whole Life	$70–$120

🧮 Example: A 35-year-old non-smoking male could get a $250,000 simplified issue term policy for around $30/month, while a fully underwritten equivalent might cost $20–$25/month.

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Who Should Get Simplified Issue Life Insurance

You’re a great candidate for simplified issue if:

• You want coverage fast
• You dislike medical exams or have limited time
• You have minor health issues but not severe conditions
• You’re between 30–70 years old
• You want $25k–$500k of coverage

It’s also ideal for small business owners, parents, or people with loans who need protection quickly.

Who Shouldn’t:

If you’re young, healthy, and want $1M+ coverage — go for fully underwritten to get lower rates.

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🏷️ Types of Simplified Issue Life Insurance

When most people hear “simplified issue,” they think “no medical exam.” But simplified issue actually comes in a few different forms, each serving a different financial goal. Whether you want temporary protection, lifelong coverage, or help with final expenses, there’s a version that fits your situation.

Let’s break down the three main types:

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1. Simplified Issue Term Life Insurance

Best for: Income replacement, mortgage protection, or short- to mid-term needs.

Simplified issue term life insurance offers protection for a specific period—typically 10, 15, 20, or 30 years. If you pass away during that term, your beneficiaries receive the full death benefit tax-free.

✅ Key features:

• No medical exam; just a short application.
• Coverage amounts usually range from $50,000 to $1 million (some carriers go higher for healthy applicants).
• Fixed monthly premiums that stay level for the entire term.
• When the term ends, you can renew (often at a higher rate) or convert to permanent coverage if the insurer allows it.

💡 Example: A 35-year-old non-smoking parent could buy a $500,000 20-year simplified issue term policy for around $30–$45/month, depending on the insurer.

Pros:

• Lowest premiums among simplified issue options.
• Great for protecting income or paying off large debts (like a mortgage).

Cons:

• Expires after the term ends—coverage doesn’t last for life.
• May require a conversion to keep protection beyond that point.

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2. Simplified Issue Whole Life Insurance

Best for: Lifetime protection and small- to medium-sized legacies.

Simplified issue whole life insurance provides coverage for your entire life, as long as you pay the premiums. It also builds cash value, a small savings component that grows tax-deferred and can be borrowed against.

✅ Key features:

• No medical exam—approval is based on your health questionnaire.
• Lifetime coverage (it never expires).
• Fixed premiums that never increase.
• Builds guaranteed cash value over time.
• Common coverage amounts: $25,000–$250,000.

💡 Example: A 50-year-old non-smoking woman might pay $60–$80/month for a $100,000 simplified issue whole life policy.

Pros:

• Permanent coverage—your loved ones are protected for life.
• Builds cash value you can use later.
• Predictable, level premiums.

Cons:

• Higher premiums than term life.
• Cash value grows slowly compared to investments.

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3. Simplified Issue Final Expense (Burial Insurance)

Best for: Covering funeral costs, medical bills, or small debts.

Final expense insurance, also known as burial insurance, is a type of simplified issue whole life policy designed specifically for seniors or those wanting to leave money to cover end-of-life costs.

✅ Key features:

• No exam—only basic health questions.
• Smaller coverage amounts (usually $5,000–$50,000).
• Lifetime protection with guaranteed premiums.
• Quick approval—often within 1–2 days.

💡 Example: A 65-year-old male non-smoker could get $15,000 in final expense coverage for around $45–$60/month, depending on the insurer and state.

Pros:

• Easy to qualify for, even with minor health issues.
• Helps loved ones avoid financial stress when paying for burial or cremation.
• Permanent coverage that never expires.

Cons:

• Higher cost per dollar of coverage.
• Some policies include a graded benefit, meaning full payout starts after 2–3 years for non-accidental death.

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🔍 Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Term Life	Whole Life	Final Expense
Duration	10–30 years	Lifetime	Lifetime
Medical Exam?	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Builds Cash Value	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Typical Coverage	$50k–$1M	$25k–$250k	$5k–$50k
Primary Purpose	Income/mortgage protection	Lifelong coverage, savings	Funeral & final costs
Premiums	💲 Lowest	💲💲 Moderate	💲💲 Moderate
Best For	Families, young adults, business owners	Long-term planners	Seniors & retirees

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🧭 Choosing the Right Simplified Issue Policy

When deciding which type fits you best, ask:

1. How long do I need coverage? (temporary vs lifelong)
2. How much can I comfortably pay each month?
3. Do I want cash value accumulation or pure protection?
4. What’s the main goal—income protection, legacy, or final expenses?

If you’re in good health and need short-term, affordable coverage, go with simplified term life.
If you want permanent protection and long-term stability, whole life may be worth it.
And if your priority is covering end-of-life costs affordably, final expense insurance is the simplest route.

How to Compare Policies & Find the Best Rate

When shopping for simplified issue life insurance, compare:

1. Coverage Amounts: Make sure it meets your family or business needs.
2. Policy Type: Choose between term (temporary) or whole life (permanent).
3. Premium Cost: Compare per $1,000 of coverage — some carriers charge much more.
4. Waiting Periods: Avoid policies with long “graded benefits” if possible.
5. Company Ratings: Stick with carriers rated “A” or higher (AM Best).
6. Conversion Options: Some simplified term policies can convert to permanent later.

💡 Pro tip: Ask your insurance agent (or use your own quote tool) to compare simplified vs fully underwritten premiums side-by-side. It’s the easiest way to visualize cost vs convenience.