The most popular question before applying for insurance is "do I have to have a medical examination?" The short answer is: not everyone. This article explains who is usually asked, why, and how to prepare.

The principle: an examination is a risk assessment tool

Companies use a medical examination when the information on the application alone is not enough to assess the risk. The criteria for who is examined and what is tested depend on each company's policy and on the plan. There is no single fixed formula, but there are common factors.

The factors that usually lead to an examination

  • Age. The older the applicant, the stricter the examination criteria tend to be, by the age bands the company sets.
  • The sum insured. The higher the sum, the more detailed the examination, because the company's risk is correspondingly larger. The sums insured across all policies you hold with that company are usually counted together.
  • The health declaration. If you declare an existing condition, a treatment history or abnormal test results, the company may request an examination or ask for hospital records in order to assess accurately.
  • The type of cover. Health or critical illness contracts usually have stricter criteria than life cover alone at the same sum insured.

What is examined

The level of examination runs from light to thorough according to need: a health questionnaire, a basic physical examination by a doctor, blood and urine tests, up to specialist items such as an electrocardiogram or an X-ray, as the company requests case by case. The cost of an examination requested by the company is generally borne by the company, under the specified conditions.

How to prepare for the examination

Follow the instructions of the facility where the appointment is made — fasting for the required number of hours for certain blood tests, resting sufficiently, avoiding alcohol beforehand — and bring a list of your regular medication. The purpose is not to produce a temporarily flattering score but for the results to reflect your real health, because a contract built on genuine information is the most solid contract there is.

What if the results aren't good?

Abnormal results do not always end in refusal. The company may accept with adjusted terms — a loaded premium or an exclusion for certain conditions — or ask for further information before deciding. And at the very least you learn your own health position, which many people regard as a valuable by-product.

In short

A medical examination is a normal part of risk assessment, not an obstacle put in your way. Apply while your health is still good, with a sum insured matched to your actual need, and give information straightforwardly — and the chance of being accepted on good terms is at its highest. If you are wondering whether your own case requires one, ask before submitting the application.