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What Is a Medical Exam for Life Insurance?

Date Published: November 05, 2026

TL;DR – How does a medical exam for life insurance work?

  • What it is: A life insurance medical exam is a health assessment an insurer may request when you apply for coverage.
  • What it may include: Health-history questions; height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse measurements; and, depending on the applicant and coverage requested, blood or urine samples.
  • How long it takes: A life insurance medical exam can often be completed in less than one hour, although the exact duration will vary based on the applicant’s individual circumstances and any additional testing or assessments that may be required.
  • Who pays: In many cases, the insurer arranges and pays for required testing.
  • Is it always necessary? No. Whether one is required depends on the individual applying for coverage and the insurance company. Insurers may consider the policy type, coverage amount, age, health history, family health history, smoker status, and other underwriting factors to determine whether a medical exam is needed.

When you apply for life insurance, an insurer may request a medical exam as part of the underwriting process. The assessment helps the insurer understand your health and risk profile and may include a health interview and a paramedical examination. This article explains when a medical exam may be required, which types of coverage may not require one, and how the process generally works in Canada. You’ll also learn what to expect during the exam, how to prepare, and what may happen after your results are reviewed.

Table of Contents

Why do life insurance providers ask for medical exams?

As part of the application process, the insurer uses the health information it collects to better understand the applicant’s health and risk profile during underwriting. To learn more about how the underwriting process works, read our article on what life insurance underwriting is.

Is a medical exam required to get life insurance in Canada?

Not always. The requirement depends on the insurer, policy type, coverage amount, age, health history and other underwriting factors.

  • Age: If you're over a certain age, you may be required to complete a medical exam. This is because the likelihood of a health condition generally increases as you get older.
  • The type of life insurance being applied for: Whether you are applying for term life insurance, permanent life insurance (universal life or whole life), or simplified-issue life insurance can determine if you need to complete a medical exam.
  • Coverage amount: If you are applying for over a certain amount of coverage, you may have to complete a medical exam.
  • Health history: Your health history can also affect whether an exam is required. Certain medical conditions, medications, and previous surgeries may trigger a need for a medical exam.

Is there a life insurance plan in Canada that does not require a medical exam at all?

A guaranteed-issue life insurance plan does not require a medical exam. However, eligibility for coverage and the amount of coverage available may be limited. For example, with TD Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance for Canadians, you must be a Canadian citizen between the ages of 50 and 75, and the maximum coverage amount is $25,000. This product is not available to Quebec residents.

How does the life insurance medical exam process work in Canada?

  1. Booking the appointment: With your consent, the insurer arranges for the medical exam provider to contact you, and you select an available appointment that works for you. Depending on what’s required, the medical exam can take place at your home, at a medical or health clinic, or another convenient location as well.
  2. Gathering information: A qualified medical professional will review information related to your application and ask health-related questions. Depending on the insurer and application requirements, this discussion may take place by phone, in a clinic or in your home. It may cover your health history, medications and other information relevant to the application.
  3. Completing the paramedical exam: Basic measurements such as height, weight, blood pressure and pulse may be taken. Depending on your application, blood and urine samples may also be collected.
  4. Reviewing the results: After the exam is complete, the insurer reviews the information and assesses the overall risk. You can generally ask to access your exam results, although privacy laws may limit what can be provided in some circumstances. Contact the insurer or exam provider to find out how to make a request.

In some cases, the insurer may request additional health information or testing, including when a result is abnormal or inconclusive. The insurer handles personal information in accordance with its privacy practices.

What can you expect during a life insurance medical exam?

A life insurance medical exam generally includes a health interview and a basic physical assessment.

The questions will depend on the applicant and may cover general health, personal and family medical history, mental health, medications, lifestyle and other information relevant to the application.

The physical exam is generally a basic health assessment. The exam can involve measuring your height and weight, blood pressure and pulse, and sometimes collecting blood and urine samples. For some applicants, the insurer may request additional testing, such as an ECG, a physician’s examination or a stress test.

How should you prepare for a life insurance medical exam?

Following the insurer’s instructions and having the required information ready can help your appointment go smoothly. You can use this checklist below to prepare for the exam.

 

Life insurance medical exam preparation checklist:

✓  Confirm your appointment: Confirm the date, time and location. Depending on the exam requirements, the appointment may be able to take place in your home.

✓  Review your life insurance application: Go over the key details so you can answer follow-up questions consistently and accurately.

✓  Bring required identification: Bring the identification requested by the exam provider, such as a driver's license or health card.

✓  Have your medical information and prescription list available: Keep your doctor's contact information and the names and dosages of your current medications in hand.

✓  Get a good rest at night: Try to get enough sleep the night before your exam.

✓  Stay hydrated: Drink water before your exam unless you receive different instructions; hydration may make urine and blood collection easier.

✓  Follow fasting instructions: If fasting is required for blood work, follow the instructions provided by the exam provider.

✓  Wear comfortable clothing: Clothing with sleeves that can be rolled up may make blood pressure checks and blood collection easier.

The goal is to provide an accurate picture of your health, not to make major short-term changes to your routine. Follow the instructions provided by the insurer or exam provider and answer questions completely and accurately.

What happens after you complete a life insurance medical exam?

After the medical exam, the insurer reviews the results alongside the rest of your application and decides based on its underwriting guidelines.

The insurer may approve the application based on what was submitted, offer coverage with a higher premium, request additional information or decline the application. If coverage is offered, review the policy terms and decide whether to accept. A licensed life insurance advisor can help answer questions about the offer. You are not required to accept an offer simply because the application was approved by the insurer.

Learn more about Life Insurance

Understanding the benefits of life insurance can help you make a more informed decision about the type and amount of coverage that may be right for you. Explore the benefits of life insurance and learn more about your coverage options.

Frequently asked questions

In many cases, the insurer covers the costs of the medical exam and any additional medical tests it requires as part of the application review.

It depends. You may still qualify for life insurance coverage if you have a pre-existing medical condition. When assessing an application, the insurer may consider the type and severity of the condition, how it is managed, your overall health and your age. Depending on the pre-existing medical condition and the insurer’s underwriting assessment, coverage may be offered at a standard or higher premium, or additional information may be required.

Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance may be another option for people who may not qualify for term life or permanent life insurance. This product is not available to Quebec residents.

Applying for life insurance coverage doesn't automatically mean that the insurer will obtain your complete medical history. However, depending on the information in your application, they may request certain information from your doctor or healthcare practitioner provided that you have given your consent.

Yes. The results form part of the insurer’s overall underwriting assessment and can affect whether coverage is offered.

Yes. Exam results may affect the rate you qualify for, depending on the insurer’s underwriting criteria.

No. Blood work is not always required for a life insurance medical exam.

A standard appointment usually takes less than one hour, although additional testing can take longer.

The insurer reviews the finding alongside the rest of your application. It may request additional information or testing before making an underwriting decision.

Sometimes. The insurer may request another exam or additional testing if a result is abnormal, incomplete or inconclusive.

Yes, but if the medical exam is required, the insurer will not approve the life insurance application without it.

Glossary of key terms

  • Permanent life insurance: A type of life insurance that does not expire. It is typically designed for lifelong protection, so your beneficiaries will receive a death benefit.
  • Premium: A periodic payment that is made to an insurance provider in exchange for coverage.
  • Simplified-issue life insurance: A type of life insurance that uses a simplified underwriting process, typically requiring applicants to answer a limited number of health questions and often not requiring a medical exam.
  • Term life insurance: A type of life insurance that provides coverage for a certain period and then expires. These plans have term periods (5, 10, 20, or 30 years) within which premiums are guaranteed not to change.
  • Underwriting: The process by which the insurance company determines whether to provide someone coverage. For life insurance, an insurer will analyze factors like age, sex, smoker status, medical history, and lifestyle before determining the risk of death.
  • Universal life insurance: A type of permanent life insurance which consists of a life insurance component and an investment component. Funds are paid into the investment account. Payments for the premium and other expenses are taken from this account. Any investment growth or cash value accumulates within the account but is generally not guaranteed.
  • Whole life insurance: A type of permanent life insurance where a portion of the premium pays for the cost of insurance and the balance is deposited in a savings or investment account and builds cash value. It has fixed premiums and options that can be used to keep the policy active if you are unable to pay premiums.

TD Term Life Insurance plans are individual life insurance plans underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company. Some restrictions may apply. Application is subject to approval. See Insurance Policy(ies) for coverage details, including limitations and exclusions.

TD Guaranteed Acceptance Life Insurance is an individual life insurance plan underwritten by TD Life Insurance Company. Some restrictions may apply. Application is subject to approval. See the Insurance Policy for coverage details, including limitations and exclusions. Not available to residents of the province of Quebec.

The content on this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or insurance advice. Speak with a licensed life insurance advisor about your specific situation. The information contained here is subject to change without notice.