How Does the Life Insurance Application Process Work?

Life insurance can offer many clear benefits. It can help policyholders protect their loved ones, potential savings through the cash value growth component and even add to an estate plan.

However, the life insurance application and purchase process may be confusing to new prospective policyholders. They may be unsure where to start — this can turn them away from applying, even if life insurance could benefit them greatly.

To help out, this article will dive into a few ways prospective policyholders can apply for life insurance, then cover the application process.

Ways to apply for life insurance

There are three ways to apply for life insurance:

1. Applying for life insurance online

Applying for life insurance online is often easier and most effective. Prospective policyholders can compare quotes easily using online quote marketplaces, gathering several quotes without leaving home.

2. Applying for life insurance over the phone

Applying over the phone lets prospective policyholders apply for life insurance from the comfort of their own homes but speak to someone instead of interacting with an online application.

This offers a middle ground between the convenience of an online application and the personalized service of an in‐person application. Talking with someone can help the policyholder get common questions answered, such as “How does supplemental life insurance work?,” before applying.

3. Applying for life insurance in person

Applying for life insurance in person can take more time and effort but allows the prospective policyholder to ask questions. This is usually a great option for policyholders who prefer faceto‐face communication and more personalized service. They may be able to explain their situation better if something about their situation could complicate the application process.

How to apply for life insurance

1. Select a policy option and insurer

First, the prospective policyholder should decide what policy type they need.

From there, they compare quotes from multiple insurers and pick the right one. Regardless of how the prospect applies, comparing quotes is often easiest done online.

2. Fill out the application

Next, the prospective policyholder fills out the application online or by hand. Even if the prospective policyholder applies in person, the insurer may have them complete an application on a computer.

On the application, the applicant provides basic information about themselves, such as name, address, and employer.

They will also fill out some basic medical and financial information, including:

• Height
• Weight
• Date of birth
• Financial information, such as annual income
• Smoking status (smoker vs. nonsmoker)
• Lifestyle (drinking, exercise, hobbies)

3. Schedule and take the medical exam

Many life insurance policies require the applicant to take a medical exam. The insurer will help the applicant schedule an appointment with a paramedical professional to visit the applicant’s home or for the applicant to go to an office or clinic to take the exam.

The examiner will record the applicant’s personal and family medical history during the exam.

They will then gather several pieces of health and relevant lifestyle information, such as:

• Blood pressure
• Heartbeat/pulse
• Height
• Weight
• Exercise habits
• Smoking/drinking
• Drug use

The examiner may need to collect blood or urine samples. Depending on age, policy type, and coverage amount, they may also need to run additional tests.

Some types of life insurance policies, like final expense insurance and guaranteed issue life insurance, are no‐exam policies. That means they don’t make the applicant take a medical exam, which shortens the application process drastically. This can work for applicants who need coverage faster and find medical exams inconvenient or invasive.

4. Wait for underwriting

After the medical exam, an underwriter will review the applicant’s application and exam results. This can take several weeks for policies that require an exam, and the underwriter may order medical records from the applicant’s doctor for more medical information.

Policies that don’t require an exam may take less time since there are no exam results to review. Applicants can often get no‐exam policies within a few days instead of a few weeks.

5. Approval, paperwork, and payment

If approved, the applicant can receive a set of policy terms and premium amounts. If the applicant agrees, they sign all necessary paperwork and pay their first premium to begin coverage.

Many insurers let policyholders choose between monthly and annual premiums, but annual may offer a discount.

Prospective policyholders have many ways to apply for life insurance

There are several ways to apply for life insurance, suiting policyholders with different needs and preferences.

Applying online may be the most convenient option. People who prefer more human interaction but want the convenience of applying from home can apply over the phone. Finally, people who prefer more personalized service and assistance can visit an insurer and apply in person.

Regardless of the method, the process starts by choosing a policy type, then comparing quotes and selecting the insurer with the best potential rates. The applicant then fills out the application and, if necessary, schedules and takes the medical exam.

After waiting for underwriting to finish and getting approved, the applicant signs the paperwork and pays their first premium to begin coverage.

Knowing these steps can help prospective policyholders go through the life insurance process faster and more confidently.

Coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York. 

68000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, & Virginia, Policies:

ICC1368100, ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68100‐A68400. In

New York, NY68100‐NY68400. B61000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon,

Pennsylvania, Texas, & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B61JWO & ICC18B61JTO. In Virginia, Policies

ICC0965JTO & ICC0965JWO. B60000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas,

& Virginia, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400.

Q60000 series: Whole: In Arkansas, Policy Q60100CAR. In Delaware, Policy Q60200M. In Idaho

Policy Q60100CID. In Oklahoma, Policy Q60100COK. In Oregon, Policy Q60100COR. In Texas, Policy Q60100CTX. Q60000 series: Term: In Delaware, Policies Q60200C. In Arkansas, Idaho,

Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Policies ICC18Q60200C, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C.

Aflac Final Expense insurance coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated and is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company. The life insurance policy described herein contains an optional Accelerated Death Benefits Rider that is intended for favorable tax treatment under Section 101(g) of the Internal Revenue Code. Aflac does not give legal or tax advice. Please consult with a qualified legal, tax, and accounting advisor before engaging in any transaction. In AR, AZ, ID, OK, OR, PA, TX and VA: Policies ICC21AFLLBL21 and ICC21‐AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21‐AFLABR22, ICC21‐AFLADB22, and ICC21‐

AFLCDR22. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier

One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).

This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions. For complete details, including availability and costs, please contact your local Aflac agent.

Aflac does not offer Universal or Variable Universal life insurance.

WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

NY | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211

Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.

Z2300706                                                                                            Exp. 6/24