New messages from Aflac | View Notifications opens a dialog Close X dismisses the notification alert

Simplified Issue Life Insurance

A simplified issue life insurance policy offers coverage without a medical exam. It’s a great option if you’d like life insurance as fast as possible and don’t want to wait weeks or months for approval. Let’s dive deeper into simplified issue life insurance so you can decide if this type of policy makes sense for you.

What is simplified issue life insurance?

When you apply for many traditional types of life insurance, you’re required to undergo a medical exam. This typically extends the underwriting process to 45 or even 60 days.1 With simplified issue life insurance, however, you can skip the medical exam and simply answer several questions about your health and lifestyle.

Depending on the insurance company, you can get approved instantly and move forward with your coverage right away. A simplified issue policy is a permanent policy, meaning it offers coverage for your whole life.2

What is the cost of simplified issue life insurance?

Life insurance companies perform medical exams to get an idea of how risky prospective policyholders may be. If you opt for a simplified issue policy, an insurer won’t have the opportunity to evaluate your risk based on a medical exam. As a result, they’ll likely charge more for your premiums to protect themselves. You can expect to pay more for simplified issue life insurance than traditional term life insurance or whole life insurance.

Peace of mind doesn't
have to break the bank

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.

Get a Quote

Pros and cons of a simplified issue life insurance policy

Here’s a look at the benefits and drawbacks of simplified issue life insurance:2

Pro: No medical exam

Whether you don’t want to deal with a medical professional or are worried that a medical exam will reveal an underlying problem, you can apply for a simplified life policy without the exam. All you have to do is answer some questions about your health.

Pro: Quick approval process

With simplified issue life insurance, you can avoid a long underwriting process. You might even get approved for a policy in minutes and receive coverage immediately.

Con: Low coverage

Since an insurer won’t have a lot of information about your health, you may have to settle for a smaller coverage amount. Many companies cap coverage at $40,000 to $50,000.2

Con: Higher premiums

It’s difficult for an insurance company to assess how risky of a policyholder you might be if you don’t go through a medical exam. This is why they’ll charge you more for your premiums.

Who should apply for simplified issue life insurance?

You may want to consider simplified issue life insurance if any of these situations apply to you:

  • You don’t want to take a medical exam.
  • You can’t wait weeks or months for life insurance coverage.
  • You’re in poor health and worry you won’t qualify for a reasonable premium with a traditional underwriting process.

Alternatives to simplified issue life insurance

If you don’t believe simplified issue life insurance is a good fit, you may want to explore these alternative options:

Guaranteed issue life insurance

Guaranteed issue life insurance doesn’t require a medical exam. It differs from simplified issue life insurance, however, because it allows you to skip health questions as well. This type of policy guarantees approval, just like its name implies.

Final expense life insurance

Final expense life insurance is more generally less expensive than simplified issue life insurance. It’s designed to help loved ones cover end-of-life expenses, such as funeral and burial costs, medical bills, and legal and accounting fees. Aflac offers final expense life insurance for policyholders that want to help cover these final expenses.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance offers coverage for a certain time period, such as 20 or 30 years, and pays out a death benefit in the event you pass away while the policy is active. You can get a term life insurance policy from Aflac with coverage that fits your unique needs.

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance provides coverage for life. This type of policy also comes with a cash value component that grows tax-deferred over time. The cash value can help you keep your savings, and you may have the option to withdraw or borrow from it. Aflac offers whole life insurance for people who want substantial lifelong coverage.

Get a quote for Aflac life insurance

If you’d like a life insurance policy but don’t want to go through a medical exam, simplified issue life insurance is one option. In return for instant or fast approval, however, you will have to pay higher premiums.

Aflac offers plans that fit most budgets that are guaranteed issue term and whole life insurance plans, which allow you to skip a medical exam and health questions. With these policies, you can receive quick coverage and help gain peace of mind. Contact an agent today to get a quote or receive more information.

Still have questions?

Explore your life insurance options.

Get a Quote