Life insurance blood and urine test

The blood and urine samples collected during a life insurance paramed exam are the most objective data point in your underwriting file. Cholesterol levels, glucose, liver enzymes, kidney function, cotinine (nicotine), and drug metabolites all show up here—and any result outside normal ranges can move you from Preferred to Standard or trigger a table rating. Knowing what they’re testing for, and how to prepare, can meaningfully affect your rate class. These results feed the broader underwriting process and your rate class; abnormal drugs are handled under the drug test rules, and exam-day prep is covered in paramed exam tips. This page covers exactly what carriers screen for and what each result means for your application.

Why insurance companies require blood & urine samples

All insurance companies have at least some type of underwriting process that applicants must go through before they are approved (or denied) for coverage. One of the primary reasons for this is so that the insurer can get a better idea of just how much risk it may be taking on.

Life insurance blood testing will give the insurance company a full picture of the risk that they are underwriting by accessing the blood test results.

For example, an individual who is in poor health is considered more of a risk to a life insurance company than a healthy person. That's because the healthier individual, statistically, has a higher probability of living a longer life - and in turn, not requiring the insurance company to pay out a death benefit (at least not any time soon) on a life insurance policy.

But life insurance blood testing really isn’t all that bad, and going with a fully underwritten policy can also yield some nice benefits – such as a lower premium cost, possibly.

What do life insurance companies test for

If an exam is needed then you will be required to give a blood and urine sample before you are approved for coverage? Depending on the product type and amount of protection you're applying for the exam may be mandatory.

Who collects the blood sample

Insurance carriers will have applicants meet with a paramedical professional who will take blood pressure and pulse reading, as well as collect blood and urine samples.

While a life insurance blood test could reveal certain health-related issues, it could also provide the insurer with peace of mind in knowing just how much risk it is taking on.

What is tested in the sample

There are a number of health issues that can be tested for in an applicant's blood and urine samples.

These may include:

• cholesterol levels
• blood glucose levels (tie-breakers for diabetes and life insurance underwriting)
• kidney values
• HIV / AIDS
• A1C level
• PSA levels
• and many more

Other reasons that insurance companies require applicants to give blood and urine samples at a medical exam are to test for health factors, such as the illegal use of drugs. See what drugs life insurance companies test for here.

Oftentimes, insurers will also be able to verify whether or not the applicant for coverage is a smoker. (If so, the premium rate that is charged for smokers can oftentimes be double, or even triple, that of a non-smoker, with all other factors being equal).

With regard to health parameters that the insurer tests for, the height and weight measurements can indicate whether or not an applicant is considered to be overweight. If so, there may be other health-related risk factors, such as high blood pressure and/or heart disease, at stake. See life insurance height and weight charts here.

What to expect during your blood test for insurance

Just as with most any other type of "test" situation, knowing what to expect can help to reduce apprehension and anxiety about your insurance exam - and in this case, it could actually even help you to fare better.

In most situations, a standard life insurance medical examination will consist of the following:

• Getting a measurement of your height and weight
• Taking a reading of your blood pressure and your pulse
• Taking a blood sample
• Taking a urine sample
• Providing additional health information, such as the name(s) and contact information of your medical provider(s)

In addition, the paramedical professional will also require you to prove your identity. This is usually done by checking your driver's license.

Depending on your age, and the amount of life insurance coverage that you are applying for, it may also be required that you undergo an EKG. This will provide the insurance carrier with more information about the health of your heart.

Will You need to take a blood test for insurance

If you're considering the purchase of a life insurance policy, then you may be required to take a medical exam. If you'd like to find out more about how applying for life insurance works and what the application requirements are, give Insurance Geek a call. Insurance is all we do at Insurance Geek, so we are focused on matching coverage needs with the right policy and insurance carrier.

Even if you've been turned down in the past for life insurance due to a health condition, Insurance Geek will work with you to find suitable coverage - in many cases without even having to undergo a medical exam or provide a blood and urine sample.

We are associated with more than 30 highly rated life insurance carriers. So, we are able to go out into the marketplace and find a plan that best suits you, as well as your budget. We can also provide you with quotes from numerous life insurance providers so that you can compare prices and policy features, and from there determine which option is right for you.

Ready to learn more? If so, just contact us an Insurance Geek will be happy to help.