Yup. But that’s the short answer, partner. Because, in most cases, doing the medical exam will drastically lower your premium. An insurance medical exam isn’t all that daunting or invasive. Here’s what you can expect some of the questions to be:
Medical history
The basics—questions about previous illnesses, the last time you saw a doc, medication you’re on, the last time you were in the hospital etc.
Are you a bull-rider?
Questions about dangerous activities such as hand gliding, scuba diving, motocross, if you’ve got a private pilot license etc.
Lifestyle
Questions about past and current drug and alcohol use.
Travel plans
Planning to travel to dangerous places or move outside of Canada?
Remember you have to disclose any information you have previously disclosed to any medical professional in the past (doctors, nurses, clinics etc.) as it will be on file somewhere.
You’ll also give a blood sample (minor amount) and pee in a cup. They scan both to look for drugs, nicotine, diabetes etc. They may also write to your medical professional for a medical history report. All in all? About 30 minutes of your life. But if you really don’t want to do a medical exam as part of getting life insurance, that’s okay, too. If you’re younger (under age 35), then the premium difference between a non medical plan and one with underwriting isn’t like getting a snake in your boot.
With life insurance, just remember that to the insurance company, you’re a statistic and that nothing is ‘personal’. Basically, people who are pretty healthy pay normal premiums. People in slightly poorer health pay higher premiums. The GiddyUp team is happy to help you sort all the tumbleweeds out. Let us know if you’re looking to buy life insurance!