No Medical Life Insurance

Editor’s note: First published April 2013 | Refreshed November 2025 with updated insurer limits, Irish product options and links to 2025 underwriting guidelines.

No-Medical-Exam Life Insurance in Ireland (2025 Guide)

Today I took a call from a lady who wanted life insurance — but with one condition: it had to be no-medical life insurance.

She made no bones about it. She wanted cover but wouldn’t do a medical exam.

Why?

Usually, there are two reasons people avoid medicals:

• They’re healthy but afraid of what a test might show.
• They’re unwell but haven’t had an official diagnosis yet — and don’t want one because it could raise their premium.

But this lady had a third reason…

“I just don’t like my GP!”

I asked why she didn’t move to a new one.

“Ah, I don’t want to let him down. He’s the family GP — has been for years…”

Fair enough.

Classic small-town Ireland.

Fortunately for her, she didn’t need to do a medical exam — and here’s why.

When You Can Get Life Insurance Without a Medical

There are two main options in Ireland if you want life cover without getting poked and prodded:

1️⃣ Over 50s Life Insurance

This special type of cover skips all underwriting. If you’re over 50, you just fill in an application and the insurer accepts you regardless of health — even if you’re seriously ill.

Irish Life used to offer this through brokers, but no longer. If you need guaranteed acceptance, An Post Insurance can help.

That said, it’s really only suitable if you have major health issues (e.g. active cancer treatment) and can’t get regular life cover.

If you’re in poor health but not uninsurable, we can still find options — keep reading.

2️⃣ Term Life Insurance — The Standard Route

Applying for a standard life policy doesn’t automatically trigger a medical.

In fact, roughly 90 % of our clients are approved without one.

Underwriters usually decide based on:

• Your application form
• Follow-up health questionnaires
• A short medical report (PMAR) from your GP

Here’s how life-insurance underwriting actually works in Ireland →

When a Medical Exam Might Be Needed

There are only a few scenarios where a nurse screening or medical is unavoidable:

1. Serious health issues – if your GP doesn’t have recent info.
2. Non-medical limits – if your age + cover exceed insurer thresholds.
3. High BMI – over 40 triggers a nurse visit.

Understanding Non-Medical Limits

“Non-medical limit” is industry-speak for how much cover you can apply for without automatic medicals. Two things affect it:

• Your age : older = higher risk = lower limit.
• Cover amount : more cover = more risk = more checks.

So, if you’re in your 50s and want €300 000 +, most insurers will ask for at least a nurse screening.

Each company sets its own thresholds — pick the right one and you’ll glide through; pick the wrong one and it’s forms, screenings, and needles galore.

If you have been asked to go for a medical exam due to underwriting limits and are in good health, let us know, we might find a fairer insurer.

High BMI Cases

If your BMI is 40 or more , expect a nurse visit to check height, weight, and basic readings.

How to know if you’re overweight for life insurance →

Will Insurers Ask Your GP for a Report?

Yes — sometimes.

If the combination of your age and cover exceeds their non-medical limit, they’ll request a PMAR (Private Medical Attendant’s Report).

What is a PMAR and why do insurers need it? →

Bottom Line

Chances are, you won’t need a medical exam at all. No blood tests, no nurse, no stress.

But do apply through the insurer with the highest non-medical limits — that’s the trick to keeping things simple.

If you’d like me to recommend the right insurer and cover based on your situation, just complete this quick questionnaire and I’ll come back to you personally.

Thanks for reading,