What medical tests are required for a Term Life Insurance Policy in 2026?

Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance (ABSLI) operates in a 2026 Insurance environment where digital applications, tele-medical assessments and risk-based underwriting are increasingly important to the Life Insurance buying journey. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) is the sector regulator and maintains oversight of life insurers, products and policyholder protection.

Medical underwriting helps an insurer understand an applicant’s health and assess the risk before a Term Life Insurance Policy is issued. The tests required are not identical for every applicant. They can vary with age, health declarations, lifestyle, the sum assured, and the insurer’s underwriting requirements.

The post-budget tax environment should be considered separately from medical underwriting. Tax treatment of premiums and benefits depends on prevailing law and applicable conditions. Medical tests are primarily about assessing Insurance risk and suitability.

Why are medical tests needed before buying Term Insurance?

Medical tests help an insurer obtain objective information about an applicant’s health. A proposal form and medical history provide important information, while diagnostic tests can help verify or supplement that information where underwriting requires it. The results can help the insurer assess factors such as blood sugar, cholesterol, liver or kidney function, tobacco use, and other health indicators.

Depending on the profile, the insurer may offer standard terms, apply an additional premium, ask for more information, postpone the decision or decline the proposal. Medical testing should therefore be viewed as part of risk assessment rather than as a test that automatically prevents someone from getting life cover.

What are the common medical tests for Term Insurance?

The exact medical grid varies, but commonly requested investigations can include blood tests, urine tests, blood pressure, and other basic measurements. Depending on age, declared conditions, cover amount, and underwriting requirements, an applicant may also be asked for tests such as liver-function assessment, kidney-function assessment, ECG, treadmill testing or other investigations.

ABSLI’s published explainer describes a process involving a telemedical questionnaire followed, where required, by physical check-ups, diagnostic or radiological tests. The company also notes that the tests depend on factors such as the proposal declaration, age and sum assured. The insurer’s underwriting team determines which tests are relevant to the individual proposal.

Is a medical test mandatory for every Term Insurance applicant?

No. There is no single test package that applies to every applicant. Whether an applicant needs medical examinations depends on the insurer’s underwriting rules and factors such as age, health disclosures, lifestyle, and the amount of cover requested. Some applications may involve tele-medical assessment, and others may require physical diagnostics. An insurer may also request additional tests when the information in the proposal indicates a need for further assessment.

Applicants should answer health and lifestyle questions accurately even when a medical examination is not initially requested.

What happens during a tele-medical assessment?

A tele-medical assessment is a health-focused interaction in which questions may cover medical history, current medication, previous treatment, lifestyle, and other relevant information. It can form an initial part of the underwriting process. Based on the information provided, the insurer may decide whether further physical examinations or diagnostic tests are required. The purpose is to obtain sufficient information to assess the applicant’s risk.

Tele-medical assessment does not mean the applicant is automatically approved. The final decision remains subject to the insurer’s underwriting process and policy terms.

Which blood and urine tests may be required for Term Insurance?

Blood investigations may be used to assess indicators such as glucose, cholesterol, and other health parameters. Urine testing can also be part of underwriting and may be used to identify relevant health or lifestyle indicators. ABSLI’s current Term Insurance medical tests notes that a complete blood count and urine testing can form part of the medical grid, with additional tests such as liver-function or treadmill testing depending on the case. The exact combination is determined by the insurer rather than by a universal checklist for every policyholder.

Does medical testing affect the Life Insurance premium?

It can affect the final Life Insurance premium because medical information contributes to the insurer’s assessment of mortality risk. A healthier risk profile may receive standard pricing, while an elevated assessed risk may result in an additional premium or other underwriting terms. The impact cannot be predicted from one medical test alone. Age, sum assured, policy term, tobacco use, occupation, medical history, and other underwriting factors can also influence pricing.

A Term Insurance calculator can provide an indicative premium, but the final Life Insurance premium and eligibility are determined after the insurer completes its underwriting.

Who pays for the medical tests for Term Insurance?

For many Term Insurance applications where medical tests are required, the insurer arranges or bears the cost of the prescribed pre-policy medical examinations according to its process and terms. The exact process can vary by insurer and application. ABSLI’s published explainer states that the costs of pre-policy medical tests are usually taken care of by the insurer.

Applicants should follow the instructions provided by the insurer and use the designated diagnostic centre or medical process where one is specified.

Can a medical test lead to rejection of a Term Insurance application?

It can, but a medical condition or an abnormal test result does not automatically mean rejection. Underwriting considers the complete risk profile, including the severity and control of a condition, treatment history, age, lifestyle and requested cover. Possible outcomes can include standard acceptance, an additional premium, modified terms, postponement, a request for further evidence or a decline. The outcome varies between applicants and products.

The best way to support an accurate assessment is to disclose medical history completely and provide the reports requested by the insurer.

What is the latest ABSLI claim settlement ratio in 2026?

ABSLI’s current FY 2025-26 claims disclosure states a 98.86% claim settlement ratio for FY26. The company describes its claims process as three steps: claim intimation, claim processing and claim decision, with approved payments made electronically. The ratio is a useful historical indicator when evaluating an insurer, but it does not guarantee acceptance of an individual claim. Claims remain subject to policy wording, exclusions, disclosures, underwriting information and applicable regulations.

For applicants with medical conditions, accurate health disclosure at proposal stage remains particularly important.

How should you prepare for Term Insurance medical examination?

Keep recent prescriptions, diagnostic reports, hospital discharge summaries and specialist records available. Review your current medicines and medical history so that the information you provide is complete and consistent. Follow the insurer’s instructions about fasting, medication and appointment timing rather than making changes on your own. Bring identification and any documents requested for the examination.

Most importantly, do not hide a diagnosis or treatment history. Accurate disclosure allows the insurer to assess the risk using the best available information and can help avoid complications later.

What is the difference between a Death Insurance Policy and Term Insurance?

“Death Insurance Policy” is commonly used as an informal phrase for life insurance that provides a death benefit. Term Insurance is a specific type of Life Insurance designed primarily to provide protection for a defined period. If the insured dies during the policy term and the claim is payable, the nominee receives the applicable death benefit under the policy terms. The product name, exclusions, and benefit wording should always be checked in the policy document.

Consumers should therefore use the formal product name and policy wording rather than assuming that every product described as a Death Insurance Policy has the same benefits.