Anyone who wants to buy term life insurance will sooner or later be faced with the issue of "health checks". It is a formality which, although not particularly popular, is a prerequisite for insurance coverage. The most frequently asked questions about the health examination in the context of term life insurance are listed and answered below.
For the conclusion of a term life insurance policy, it is necessary to determine the health condition of the person to be insured. This happens in the context of the health examination.
Is a health check always necessary if I want to take out term life insurance??
Yes. However, this should not be a reason not to take out term life insurance. Because not every health problem is assessed negatively. In addition, the effort of such a health check is manageable in most cases.
The health examination is necessary for the determination and individual adjustment of the insurance benefits and the insurance premium to be paid. Every illness and every risk is examined and evaluated individually in this context. In this way, the most suitable tariff can be selected from the various tariffs available.
Exceptions to the health check are only conceivable under certain conditions, for example:
- for young parents
- If a mortgage loan is taken out at the same time
- for physicians in case of founding or taking over a practice
If there is already a term life insurance policy that only needs to be topped up, this can also be done – depending on the insurer's tariff – without a health check. However, the so-called post-insurance guarantees must be included for this purpose.
What does a health check look like??
The health examination is a prerequisite for the conclusion of a term life insurance policy. It consists of two parts:
- Health questions: a questionnaire that must be filled out in every case
- Medical examination: only if required by the answers to the health questions
In most cases, the health examination only includes the health questions. A specific examination, for example by consulting a doctor's opinion, is only carried out if a risk-relevant previous illness is present.
Only if the information in the questionnaire requires it, a medical examination must be carried out.
Do I have to answer the health questions honestly?
Yes, because answering truthfully is very important. False statements or concealment of important facts can result in cancellation of the term life insurance and thus the expiration of the insurance coverage.
By the way: Not every pre-existing condition leads to rejection or high premiums. Back pain, allergies (for example, hay fever) or neurodermatitis, for example, do not play a role at all. The health questions should therefore be answered honestly.
Where can I find detailed information about my health condition??
Both your family doctor and other treating physicians as well as your health insurance company can inform you about pre-existing conditions, diagnoses and examinations. If you are privately insured, relevant information can also be found on the bills you receive.
Which diseases are important in the health examination?
The questionnaire of the health check provides information on the following diseases:
- inflammatory joint and connective tissue diseases
- Infectious and tropical diseases
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases (including high blood pressure)
- Diseases of the respiratory, digestive, urinary and sexual organs
- Metabolic and blood diseases
- mental illnesses (depression, suicidal tendencies, eating disorders)
- Diseases of the brain and nervous system
High blood pressure is a relevant disease for the health check and must be indicated accordingly.
Furthermore, you will be asked about doctor visits in the last five years. Hospital stays are also of interest. Thus, they must declare all stays in the last ten years and, if applicable, hospital stays already planned for the coming year. However, the health questions are not aimed exclusively at pre-existing conditions.
Habits such as smoking must also be noted. Similarly, professions and hobbies classified as dangerous or the practice of extreme sports are relevant to term life insurance are.
On the other hand, the following conditions are irrelevant to term life insurance:
- Diseases such as stomach, intestinal and urinary tract infections
- Colds, as long as they are completely cured
- dental treatments
- Allergies
- Pregnancies
- Sports injuries, provided that they have healed and have not left any health restrictions