Why is Medical Test Important in Term Insurance?

However, the premium you pay for your term plan is dependent on several factors including your age, annual income, your lifestyle habits, and most importantly, your health status.

Therefore, most insurance companies require you to undergo a different type of medical test for term insurance purchase. Based on the results of the medical exam, the insurer decides your insurance premiums. If your test results show a sound, healthy body with negligible health risk, you can easily secure lower premiums that fit your budget.

What is the importance of a medical test for term insurance?

Most insurance companies make it mandatory for the policyholders to undergo a medical test before they buy the term plan. This is usually applicable if you are above 35 years of age, and if your sum assured is above Rs.10 lakhs. However, if you are only buying a term plan with coverage until 40-45 years, the insurer might not ask for a medical test. But this is not a definitive rule. Each insurance company has its own clauses regarding term plan issuance and medical examinations required.

That said, in case, you have any pre-existing illnesses, family history of health issues, hereditary conditions, or unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, etc., the insurer might make the medical test compulsory, irrespective of your age or sum assured.

What is the need for a medical test in term insurance policies?

• Insurance companies promise to pay a benefit to your beneficiary, in case of any unfortunate event. In this regard, the chances of their paying the benefits increase if you are a policyholder with a high health risk of mortality. Hence, to determine your risk quotient for the company, the insurer asks you to undergo a medical test.
• The results of the medical test help the insurance company to determine the term plan premiums. If the medical tests show a health body or absence of any particular health issue, you are likely to get the advantage of lower term insurance premiums. Moreover, there might not be any complex terms and conditions.
• Alternatively, if the medical tests show signs of any health risk in the present or the future, the insurer will most likely charge a hefty premium. This will pinch your pocket harder. That is why it is always advisable to maintain good health, adopt healthy habits, and undertake the medical test to get economical premiums.
• Moreover, if your medical tests show high risk, this can help you plan more wisely for your family. If your health risk is high, you should opt for a sum assured and a specific type of policy that can provide the much-needed financial security to your loved ones in your absence. If you buy a cover that is insufficient to protect your loved ones, despite being a high-risk candidate, you will defeat the sole purpose of buying a term plan, in the first place.

What are the benefits of a medical test in term insurance plans?

Undergoing medical tests before a term plan purchase provides you with the below-listed benefits:

1. Negligible chances of an insurance claim rejection in the future: When you undergo a medical test before buying the term plan, the insurance company is updated on the complete details of your current health condition. This helps the company decide the insurance premiums, offer adequate sum assured and accordingly, set the terms and conditions.

Moreover, this clears objection in your claim process, owing to discrepancies in personal health information. The medical test reports serve as proof of your fitness and support any issue in claim approval, which might arise later.

2. Economical term insurance premiums: The premiums for term plans are heavily influenced by your health and expected medical risks. When you undergo a medical test before the purchase of the plan, and your reports show no significant health risk plus a sound body, you will get the advantage of lower premiums. This is because positive reports of the medical tests lower your risk perception.

In addition, the term plans that specify no medical test requirement, usually come at higher premiums to cover the risk of the unknown. These plans typically assume a standard highest risk for all, irrespective of how healthy or unhealthy you are. And this is not good for you if you are healthy because you will have to pay higher premiums. Also, this is not always beneficial for someone who is not healthy since the cover will fall short of providing the desired financial protection for the family.

3. An appropriate insurance sum assured: The basic purpose of buying a term plan is of providing financial security to your loved ones in case of your premature death. However, you must be careful when deciding the sum assured coverage. Your cover should be sufficient to support your family’s standard of living and should not leave them struggling financially after you are gone.

For this purpose, a medical test helps you ascertain the adequate term life coverage amount. If the reports show a high health risk, you must obtain a higher sum assured, and if the results are normal, you can choose a cover that fits your budget and covers the need of the family.

What is included in a medical test for term insurance?

The insurance company will consider your present medical condition and lifestyle habits, as well as your family history, to understand the different health parameters that need to be assessed. Generally, insurance companies assess the following health parameters:

• Body height and weight
• Urine test
• Haemoglobin levels
• Complete differential blood count
• Heart health and functioning via electrocardiogram (ECG), and other techniques
• Lipid profile
• Blood pressure
• Blood sugar (fasting and post-prandial)

Some insurers go a little deeper to assess the cholesterol levels, HIV I and II, etc. Moreover, if you have a family history of critical ailments or other diseases like hypertension, diabetes, etc., the insurance companies specify some additional and more comprehensive tests.

You are also asked to clearly state your smoking habits at the time of policy purchase. People who smoke tend to pay a heftier premium in comparison to those who do not smoke. But that does not mean smokers should not buy a term plan because smoking also increases the mortality risk and hence, a term plan can provide the much-needed financial assurance to the family.

Also, if you are above a specific age, usually 45 years and higher, your medical test will comprise of more detailed diagnostic exams, like treadmill test, Electroencephalography (EEG), etc.

It is always advisable to disclose all the right information to the insurance company to avoid any complication or hassles at the time of claim settlement. Hiding or providing inaccurate information can even lead to termination of the insurance contract or rejection of a claim. And any of this will make things more complicated instead of serving the best interests of your family.

Conclusion

So, when buying a term plan, go ahead with the medical test because that will eventually work in your favour. You can trust PNB MetLife to be your partner in securing the future of those who are dear to your heart. At PNB MetLife, the requirement for medical tests varies according to the policy you choose. You can check the different term insurance plans offered by PNB MetLife and connect with the expert team to understand your term insurance coverage, medical tests, discuss other related queries, and ultimately, make an informed decision.

Know more about Term Insurance & Life Insurance by visiting PNB MetLife website.