List of Required Medical Tests for Term Insurance in 2025

Why are Medical Tests Important in Term Insurance?

Who Needs to Undergo Medical Tests in Term Insurance?

Not everyone applying for a term insurance plan is required to undergo medical tests. Factors influencing the need for tests include:

Policyholders Age

The older you are, the more likely you will need comprehensive medical tests. Applicants under 30 may or may not need tests, whereas those over 40 or 50 are more likely to undergo comprehensive medical examinations.

Sum Assured

The amount of coverage you are seeking plays a crucial role. Lower coverage (below 50 lakhs) may require fewer tests depending on age, whereas high-value policies (more than 50 lakhs) often require a detailed medical examination.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Applicants with known medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or obesity are more likely to undergo tests. Pre-existing conditions or family history of certain diseases might require additional tests.

Lifestyle Factors

Your personal habits, such as smokers, alcohol consumers, tobacco users in any form, or individuals with sedentary lifestyles, may need additional tests.

Which Medical Tests are Required for a Term Insurance Plan?

The specific tests you must undergo depend on factors like age, sum assured, and the insurer's underwriting policies. Here is a detailed look at the most common tests:

Tests Description Purpose
Basic Physical Examination(This is the foundation of all medical tests) This includes vital measurements such as height, weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate. Your BMI and vital signs give insurers a quick snapshot of your overall health status.
Complete Blood Count (CBC) Measures blood components, including red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin levels, and platelets. Detect anaemia, infections or other blood disorders.
Blood Sugar Test
  • Consists of two measurements:
  • Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): Measures glucose levels after 8-12 hours of fasting.
  • Postprandial Blood Sugar (PPBS): Checks glucose levels after a meal.
Assesses risk for diabetes, a common lifestyle condition.
Lipid Profile Analyses cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood, including total cholesterol, LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides. Evaluate heart health and risk of cardiovascular diseases; typically done when fasting.
Liver Function Test (LFT) Measures enzymes and proteins in the blood, including bilirubin, SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Detects liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
Kidney Function Test (KFT) Assesses kidney efficiency by measuring creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid levels. Detects kidney issues often linked to hypertension or diabetes. 
Electrocardiogram (ECG) Records the heart's electrical activity to identify any irregular heartbeats or underlying heart conditions. Evaluates heart rhythm and overall cardiac health.
Treadmill Test (TMT) A stress test that monitors the heart’s performance under physical exertion to detect any potential blockages. Tests for coronary artery diseases and overall heart fitness.
Chest X-Ray Provides a detailed image of the chest cavity, heart, and lungs to look for any abnormalities. Check for respiratory diseases or abnormalities.
HIV Test Screens for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the blood. Evaluates risk factors for insuring individuals with compromised immune systems.
Urine Analysis Tests urine for the presence of infections, sugar, protein, or blood.  Identifies kidney issues, diabetes, or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Thyroid Function Test Measures levels of thyroid hormones T3, T4, and TSH to evaluate thyroid function. Determines if there are issues with metabolism, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Cancer Markers Tests include PSA for prostate cancer, CA-125 for ovarian cancer, and AFP for liver cancer to identify potential malignancies. Helps detect certain cancers and assess hereditary or lifestyle-related cancer risks.

Tips for Preparing for Term Insurance Medical Tests

How are Medical Tests for Term Insurance Conducted?

What Happens After the Medical Tests in Term Insurance?

Why Do Insurers Conduct Medical Tests/Check-Ups for Term Insurance Plans?

How Do Medical Test Results Influence Term Insurance Factors?

FAQs about Medical Tests Requirement for Term Insurance

Can I purchase term insurance plans without medical tests?

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Yes, there are some insurance companies that let customers buy term insurance plans without the medical test results. However, in most of the cases, customers can get coverage up to a limited amount, as per the terms and conditions of the plan.

Is it necessary to disclose lifestyle habits in addition to medical reports to the term insurance provider?

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Yes, while purchasing a term insurance policy, you should ideally mention your lifestyle habits along with your medical reports. For example, you need to disclose to your insurance provider whether you are a chain smoker or you abuse alcohol, etc. Otherwise, if these lifestyle habits lead to your demise, the insurance company may reject your claim for the death benefit.

What is a video medical check-up in a term insurance plan?

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In this process, doctors will interrogate customers about their existing medical conditions. Then, based on the report, insurers will make risk assessments and proceed with the subsequent procedures.

Does a term insurance policy extend coverage for the death caused due to critical illnesses?

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The nominee will not get any policy benefits in case the insured individual dies due to critical illnesses. However, if they purchase the critical illness rider on top of the base term insurance plan, their nominee will be able to get policy benefits under such circumstances.

Can I choose my own diagnostic centre for term insurance medical tests?

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Most insurers have tie-ups with specific diagnostic centres. They may not accept reports from unaffiliated labs.

Who pays for the medical tests in term insurance?

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In most cases, the insurer bears the cost of the tests. However, check the policy terms to confirm.

Can pre-existing conditions lead to a policy rejection in term insurance?

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Not necessarily. Insurers may approve your policy with higher premiums or exclusions for certain conditions.

What happens to term insurance if I fail a medical test?

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Failing isn't the right term; insurers use the results to assess risk. A less favourable health profile might result in higher premiums or lower coverage.

Can I hide medical conditions to avoid higher premiums in term insurance?

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No, suppressing information can lead to claim rejections later, defeating the purpose of insurance.

What if I recently had medical tests?

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Some insurers might accept recent test reports, which are usually within 3-6 months, but this varies by company.

Can I refuse medical tests in term insurance?

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While you can refuse tests, it might result in higher premiums, limited coverage and possible application rejection.

Disclaimer

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  • This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
  • All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
  • Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.

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