When you apply for a life insurance policy to protect your family and their assets after your death, your health and lifestyle will be scrutinized by life insurance underwriters in order for them to determine what kind of risk you will present to the insurance company once you are insured. It is this risk, and the resulting likelihood of death, that will determine whether or not your life insurance policy can be issued, whether the death benefit can be immediate or needs to be graded, and how much your premium will be.

Once you get your life insurance quote, there is just one thing standing between you and the issuance of a life insurance policy. And that thing is life insurance underwriting.

When you are buying either term or whole life insurance you may be asked to go through a medical exam as part of the underwriting process. This is not necessary for most young people taking out small policies, but for applicants in their 40s and 50s who want more than $100,000 in coverage it is likely you will at least need a paramedical exam. A paramedical exam is usually completed at your home or office by a licensed medical professional hired by the insurance company.