Life Insurance for Spouse Without Medical Exam & Signature: What You Need to Know

You cannot purchase life insurance on another adult without their knowledge, consent, and participation. This is a fundamental legal and ethical requirement.

Why Consent & Signature Are Mandatory

1. Insurable Interest: You must demonstrate financial loss upon their death (spouses automatically have this).
2. Consent: The proposed insured must sign the application authorizing medical information release (HIPAA) and acknowledging the policy.
3. Anti-Fraud / Anti-Stranger-Owned Life Insurance (STOLI): Laws prevent policies on unknowing individuals.

Medical Exam Requirements

• Traditional Underwriting: Paramedical exam (blood, urine, BP, build, ECG if >$1M/age), APS (physician records), MIB check, Rx database. Required for most policies >$250k–$500k.
• Simplified Issue / No-Exam: Health questions only; no fluids. Lower face amounts ($50k–$500k), higher premiums, graded death benefit (first 2 years). Still requires applicant signature.
• Guaranteed Issue: No questions, no exam. Very low face ($5k–$25k), graded benefit, expensive. For final expenses. Still requires signature.

What You Can Do

• Encourage spouse to apply; offer to pay premiums.
• Be named beneficiary/owner on their policy.
• Purchase child riders on your own policy (no signature needed for minor children).
• If spouse is incapacitated: legal guardian/conservator may apply with court authority.

Transparency protects both parties. Secret policies are voidable and potentially criminal.