What To Expect When Buying Life Insurance

There are plenty of sources offering information on various life insurance policies, but do you know what actually happens when you buy it? This week my husband finalized a new life insurance policy and had to undergo some simple testing– which turned out to be a little more traumatic than he expected. He was told not to eat for six to seven hours before the testing and a nurse would come to his office to take a blood and urine sample. While attempting to draw blood, the nurse had a little trouble. After several attempts she wasn’t able to draw blood, but the entire process caused my husband to pass out– not once, but twice! Don’t worry, the nurse said this doesn’t happen very often, but in case you’re wondering what to expect when buying life insurance, here are some guidelines.

You will be asked to provide personal information such as:

• height
• weight
• date of birth
• habits such as smoking or drinking
• financial information

Telling the truth is important because if you lie and the company discovers it, you may be forced to pay a higher premium, or worse yet, they could cancel your policy. Most companies also require an in-person medical exam. During the exam you can expect the following tests or procedures:

• Blood Pressure
• Heartbeat check
• Record of height and weight
• Blood sample
• Urine sample

The medical professional will also probably ask you questions about your family medical history and your lifestyle habits. They’ll want to know about any activities you engage in that may affect your health like exercise, smoking, drinking, or even dangerous hobbies. All of this information helps the company to determine what type of a risk you are to the company and what they should charge you for life insurance coverage.