Medical Tests Required for Best Term Insurance Plans in India

Choosing the right term insurance policy in India is a significant way to take care of your family’s future while you are still around. Your promise, after all, is that your family members, whom you love, can lead a financially safe life even in your absence. However, many people feel nervous when they hear about the medical tests for term insurance.

Do you feel like putting off your application just because you have to get a health check-up? You are definitely not the only one. However, here is the thing: these medical examinations are actually beneficial to you in many ways. First of all, they enable you to be offered better terms in a contract, and more importantly, they safeguard the interests of your family by removing any possible claim disallowance at the time of your death due to undisclosed medical conditions.

This guide is aimed at informing you about the details of this topic in the most straightforward manner.

What Purpose Do Medical Tests Serve When Buying Term Insurance?

When purchasing the best term insurance policy, the insurer is essentially accepting the risk of the policyholder, such that if the policyholder dies during the tenure, the insurer pays the nominee the sum assured.

In order to price the policy correctly (determine the premium), the insurer has to understand the health status of the policyholder. It is reasoned that a physically fit person is less likely to die prematurely compared to an unhealthy person. In simple terms, it is like getting a fitness certificate/health certificate for your insurance policy.

1. You Get Discounted Premiums

If your results are good, this will be a confirmation that you are a “low-risk” person and so the insurance company will offer you a discounted premium. In case the insurer does not get such information, he might decide to impose a loading on the premium, which means you end up paying a higher amount.

2. Go for A Higher Cover Amount

Say, your application is for a very high sum assured, e.g., ₹1 Crore and above. In such cases, almost all insurance companies require you to undergo a medical examination to check your health as a part of the underwriting process.

3. Claim Settlement Without Hassles

This is actually the most crucial reason. If you have an up-to-date medical history in your file at the insurance company, it becomes difficult for the insurance company to reject a claim on the basis that the insured had concealed the existence of a pre-existing medical condition. This is something which in essence comforts and gives security to you and your family members.

Besides the basics, what are the main tests required for medical exams?

What tests are required can vary greatly based on how old you are and how much coverage you want from your insurance. If you’re quite young (less than 35 years) and don’t want a large cover, then it’s quite likely that you won’t even need a test! However, if you’re a regular person, then these will be the usual ones:

Health Check-up

• BMI (Height & Weight): By this, you find out whether or not your weight is appropriate for your height.
• Blood Pressure: The use of a cuff in this is a very straightforward method of the identification of hypertension.

Blood and Urine Tests

These are the most usual types of “lab tests.” They allow the insurance company to monitor your internal body situation.

• Complete Blood Count (CBC): It basically tells if your health is good.
• Blood Sugar Test: You undergo this if you want to be checked for diabetes or pre-diabetes.
• Lipid Profile: Through this, your cholesterol levels and heart health are evaluated.
• Liver & Kidney Function Tests: Both of these tests reveal information about how well your liver and kidneys function.
• Urine Test: It is used for the detection of kidney problems, and if you are a smoker, it can be used to verify the presence of nicotine in your system.

Other Tests (For Higher Sum Insured or Old Age)

• ECG (Electrocardiogram): This is a very short test that can provide information on the rhythm of your heart.
• Chest X-Ray: This scan allows one to view one’s lungs and the size of one’s heart.
• TMT (Treadmill Test): This, in some cases, may be your doctor’s request if you’re getting older so that it can be determined how your heart deals with stress.

How Does it Work?

Buying term insurance from the best insurer is hardly a chore in today’s world. No need to run around the hospital anymore.

• Book your plan: select your plan online.
• Schedule the test: The insurance company will get in touch with you to arrange a suitable time.
• Home visit or clinic: For the majority of cities, the medical professional will come to your doorstep to take samples. For larger tests like X-rays, you might need to go to a lab nearby.
• Generally, insurance companies bear the cost of these tests. You are not required to pay even a single penny!

Making the most of your medical examination

In order to have your results truly reflect your condition and to be quoted the best rates possible, you should:

• Fasting: You will be asked not to eat for 8-12 hours (water is usually allowed) before the blood test.
• Sleep Well: Make sure you get your beauty sleep for at least 7-8 hours the night before. Should you not get enough sleep, your blood pressure will go up.
• Avoid caffeine/alcohol: Abstain from coffee, tea, or alcoholic drinks for 24 hours preceding the test.
• Stay hydrated: Have a lot of water so that finding a vein for the blood sample is an effortless task for the technician.
• Be truthful: Report your smoking or drinking habits frankly. Being honest today will save you from a claim rejection tomorrow.

What Happens After the Test?

When the test results come in, the insurance company will review them (this is known as “underwriting”).

• Scenario A (Clean Report): Your policy will be delivered at the same rate you viewed on the website.
• Scenario B (Minor Issues): The insurance company may decide to increase the premium a little (this is called “loading”).
• Scenario C (Major Issues): If a serious medical condition is identified, they may lower the benefits or, in very rare situations, refuse the application.

Can You Buy Insurance Without Medical Tests?

It is possible. Some policies are simply referred to as “non-medical.” They are very fast and don’t require a blood sample. However, there are a few disadvantages:

• Slightly Lower Limit: Usually, you won’t be able to get a very high cover amount.
• More Expensive: Because the insurer doesn’t know your health situation, they add a “risk premium” onto the standard rate for the policy.
• Possibility of Problems: If the insured condition is discovered at a later date, this may raise questions from the company when the claim is made.

For getting the most out of term insurance, it is most sensible to agree to a medical exam.

Conclusion

It may seem that medical tests are a burden to get term insurance, but it is a very minor thing that you will do for your entire lifetime of security. Besides proving that you are in good health, it also helps keep your premiums down, and, most importantly, it ensures that your family will have the money they need when they need it the most.

So, why not take advantage of the health check-up that you get for free and at the same time shield your family’s future? Hence, do not hesitate. Decide on the insurance plan, get the medical test done, and enjoy your life with a smile, knowing that you have safeguarded your loved ones.