Do life insurance companies test for drugs?
Quick Facts
Life insurance companies typically require drug testing before they will issue a policy
Insurers may test for both illicit and prescription drugs, as well as nicotine and alcohol consumption
The results of the drug test can affect your policy, as well as your life insurance rates
Do life insurance companies test for drugs? That’s a question many potential policyholders are asking. And the answer is yes — life insurance companies test for drugs to determine if they will provide coverage.
This testing can include prescription and illicit substances. If they find any of these in your system, it can result in your claim being denied or paying higher life insurance rates.
It’s an important topic to consider before applying for coverage, as purchasing life insurance is essential to caring for our loved ones. So what types of drugs do life insurance tests? Keep reading to find out.
What drugs do life insurance companies test for?
Life insurance companies must test for common drugs of abuse, including:
Opiates
PCP
Cocaine
Amphetamines
Marijuana
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Methadone
Nicotine
Methamphetamine
Unfortunately, most of these drugs will remain detectable in your system long after they have been used. So just because you haven’t used drugs recently doesn’t mean you won’t test positive.
Legal Drug Use and Life Insurance
Prescription drugs impact your life insurance policy. If your doctor has prescribed legal medications to treat an illness or alleviate pain, your life insurance company may not hold this against you. But you may still face higher premiums.
Insurers are also more likely to consider you high-risk if your prescription has the potential for addiction or could cause serious health problems over the long term. So while they may still be willing to insure you, they’ll likely charge more due to the risk factor involved.
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Life Insurance Underwriting for Those Who Have Taken Drugs
If you take drugs, the underwriting process for life insurance can be a bit daunting. During underwriting, insurers look at your medical history and lifestyle to decide if they will offer you a policy.
This includes your age, medical history, and current health status. It’s also common for some life insurance companies to require a medical examination.
Most medical exams include a component of drug testing. We’ll discuss those tests in more detail below.
What happens during the life insurance medical exam?
Going through a medical exam is nothing to be nervous about — it’s just a way for the underwriter to get the key information needed to give you an accurate life insurance quote. Here’s what to expect in a paramedical exam.
During the process, expect to receive a verbal questionnaire covering your health, lifestyle, and any medicines taken, as well as a physical examination. The physical exam is relatively straightforward. All it takes is basic measurements, like height, weight, blood pressure, and blood and urine samples.
Generally speaking, exams take about 30-45 minutes, and you have options for scheduling. For example, you can have a technician come to your home or workplace or go to an approved medical facility yourself.
Depending on your age and the policy you’re applying for, you may need an ECG to evaluate the electrical activity of your heart. But don’t worry, this is something that only happens sometimes.
Why do you need to take the life insurance medical exam?
The primary purpose of the medical exam is to evaluate your health and detect any potential issues. The underwriter will use this information when deciding if they can offer you coverage.
How to Prepare for a Life Insurance Blood and Urine Test
Getting ready for a life insurance medical exam is easy when you know what to expect. Starting with the application process, be honest about your health history and lifestyle to get an accurate initial quote. Then, if the premiums are too high, you have time to consider another insurer before beginning the lengthy underwriting process.
To ensure optimal results, start eating healthier foods and drinking more water several days before the exam — think of healthy fats that increase good cholesterol and fewer fried or sugary foods.
Additionally, increase your water intake. The water will help flush toxins from the body quicker, and veins may open better during the needle prick for a blood sample.
What do life insurance blood tests look for?
Applying for life insurance requires providing detailed information about your health to the insurer, including undergoing a blood test.
This blood test can reveal information such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis readings, hyperglycemia levels, and even organ problems and cancer of the prostate.
Note that failing to provide all relevant information could lead to your policy being denied or revoked in the future, as well as potentially negative reports from the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) that could affect your ability to obtain coverage from other insurers.
What do life insurance urine tests look for?
What do insurance companies look for in a urine test? If you’re getting life insurance, you might be curious about what happens during a urine test. These tests analyze general health indicators like cholesterol levels or blood pressure. What they look for also depends on what medical history you have already shared with the insurance company.
The process is relatively straightforward. First, the examiner will provide you with a cup for collecting the sample, usually with a temperature strip attached. The strip ensures the sample isn’t someone else’s or synthetic urine.
It’s best to fast before this exam, as false positives can come up due to what you eat or drink.
After providing your sample, they will send it to the lab for quality control, where you can use the code they provide to check your results online. If any potentially worrisome information comes up in your records, they may follow up with more questions.
What Not To Do Before a Life Insurance Medical Exam
It’s best to do everything you can ahead of time to put yourself in the best position to guarantee accurate results and favorable rates. For example, days before getting a life insurance medical exam, there are some things you should try to avoid, such as coffee and ibuprofen.
Here’s how to pass a life insurance drug test:
Avoid drinking coffee or alcohol at least two days before the exam
Reduce exercise and physical activity at least one day before the exam
Avoid eating poppy seeds or high-protein snack bars
Avoid taking B12 supplements
Don’t take any cold or sleep medicine, decongestants, or ibuprofen before the exam
These things can cause false positives for opiates, amphetamines, marijuana, and barbiturates. You’ll also want to be wary of water tonics with quinine, as that is linked with false positives for cocaine.
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How Companies Determine Life Insurance Rates by Health Risk
Insurers look at age, existing conditions, and lifestyle habits, then assign you a risk category based on the paramedical exam results. This risk will help determine how much life insurance costs.
Once everything is sorted out, you will be issued a policy that reflects the amount of protection that aligns with the level of risk associated with you.
Here’s a list of the risk classification insurers use:
Preferred plus: Must have an overall good bill of health and stay away from risky activities and dangerous occupations. Must be tobacco-free for the last five years and have abstained from alcohol or drug abuse in the past decade. Must have no family history of cancer or family members with heart disease who passed away before 60 or 65 years old.
Preferred: Those who qualify as preferred risk aren’t too far off from preferred plus, but there are some differences. You may be preferred risk if you take medication for a condition like high blood pressure, are overweight, or have an at-risk family history.
Standard: Must abstain from tobacco smoking for a year to qualify. A person in the standard class has a higher body mass index (BMI), is on various medications, or has probable health risks.
Substandard: Someone with a hazardous occupation or hobbies or serious medical issues that could compromise their health will be considered substandard and may face higher premiums.
If you are a smoker, you will likely be classified as substandard for life insurance. Smokers tend to pay more for a life insurance policy because there is an increased risk — nicotine being the primary culprit.
While some companies divide cigarette consumers from marijuana and life insurance, each insurer has different criteria you must meet to qualify based on usage frequency and other factors.
What to Do if You’re Denied Life Insurance Coverage
If you’ve recently been denied coverage on a life insurance policy, the first step is determining why. Contact your insurer and get a copy of your test results.
For instance, if the test results show higher than normal blood pressure, but your physicals have all been within the normal range, that may indicate that something was off during that individual testing session. If something looks wrong, consider getting a second exam done through the insurer.
There are also other alternatives to consider if you’ve been denied coverage. Here are a few:
No medical exam life insurance: Offers coverage without a medical exam, with age being the main factor determining your life insurance rates.
Group life insurance: Many employers offer this type of life insurance, which often comes with easy approval and free or discounted coverage.
Annual renewable term life insurance: A term that renews every year without needing a medical exam.
Final expense insurance: Guaranteed issue coverage that pays up to $35,000 for burial and funeral services with no medical exam required.
You can also look for companies that offer life insurance for high-risk individuals. Though premiums may be higher than for someone in better health, you can still get the coverage you need.
The Bottom Line: Do life insurance companies test for drugs?
It is important for anyone looking for life insurance to be aware of the underwriting process and the tests that are conducted. Having a better understanding of what could disqualify you from life insurance will ensure you get the best chance of being approved.
Common drugs that can disqualify you from being approved include:
illegal drugs
prescription medications with a high potential for abuse
opioids
Always disclose all the drugs you are taking when applying for a life insurance policy, as not doing so can be considered fraud.
If you’re denied life insurance because of health issues or drug use, other options are available. No medical exam life insurance, group life insurance, annual renewable term life insurance, and final expense insurance are some policies that may not require a medical exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a life insurance medical exam test for?
Your life insurance medical exam is a thorough screening that records height, weight, and blood pressure. In addition, it tests blood and urine for health issues, drugs, nicotine, and cotinine levels.
Why do they test blood and urine for the life insurance medical exam?
Insurance companies use blood and urine samples to understand their customer’s health profiles fully. Tests reveal drug/nicotine use and spot potential medical conditions, all of which help determine life insurance rates.
How do I pass a medical exam for life insurance?
Preparing for a life insurance medical exam is unlike any other test. Instead of studying, focus on creating healthy habits to put yourself in the best position to receive favorable results. Additionally, have any pertinent medical documentation available for your examiner.
Do life insurance companies look at your medical records?
Life insurance companies consider your medical history when assessing coverage options and rates. It’s a crucial factor to consider alongside family history and lifestyle choices.
Do life insurance companies test hair?
Yes, life insurance companies may test hair in exceptional situations. Hair drug tests are done to check for medical conditions.
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Rachael Brennan has been working in the insurance industry since 2006 when she began working as a licensed insurance representative for 21st Century Insurance, during which time she earned her Property and Casualty license in all 50 states.
After several years she expanded her insurance expertise, earning her license in Health and AD&D insurance as well. She has worked for small health in…
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Written by
Rachael Brennan
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brad Larson has been in the insurance industry for over 16 years. He specializes in helping clients navigate the claims process, with a particular emphasis on coverage analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science. He also holds an Associate in Claims (AIC) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS) designations, as well as a Utah Property and Casual…
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Reviewed by
Brad Larson
Licensed Insurance Agent
