What information does a life insurer require?
Short answer: A life insurer typically asks for your identity details, health and medication history, family medical history, tobacco and alcohol use, occupation and hobbies, driving record, income and existing coverage, and beneficiary information. You will also be asked to authorize checks of outside records, such as prescription and motor vehicle databases. Having this ready makes the application faster and more accurate.
What you will usually be asked
| Category | Typical questions |
|---|---|
| Identity | Full name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, citizenship or residency status, driver's license |
| Health | Height and weight, current conditions, past diagnoses, surgeries, hospital stays, current medications and dosages, your doctors' names and contact details |
| Family history | Whether parents or siblings had heart disease, stroke, cancer, or diabetes, and at what age |
| Lifestyle | Tobacco, nicotine, vaping, or cannabis use; alcohol use; any drug use or treatment history |
| Occupation and activities | Job duties; risky hobbies such as aviation, scuba diving, or climbing; planned foreign travel |
| Driving | DUIs, license suspensions, and moving violations in recent years |
| Finances | Income, net worth for larger policies, existing life insurance, and pending applications |
| Policy details | Coverage amount, term length, owner, and beneficiaries |
| Beneficiaries | Names, relationship, and share of the benefit; contingent beneficiaries |
Exact questions vary by carrier and by the amount of coverage requested.
Records the insurer may check
With your signed authorization, insurers commonly check:
- MIB, an insurance-industry database containing coded underwriting information reported by member insurers from certain prior applications. MIB does not store the full application or your medical records, and member insurers cannot base an adverse underwriting decision solely on an MIB record.
- Prescription history databases showing medications filled.
- Motor vehicle records.
- Medical records or an attending physician statement from your doctor.
- Public records and, where permitted, credit-based insurance information.
You have rights under federal law to request your MIB file and prescription history reports, and to dispute errors.
Why they ask about income
Insurers want the coverage amount to be reasonable relative to the financial loss your death would cause. Many carriers allow roughly 20 to 30 times income for younger applicants and lower multiples at older ages. For a non-earning spouse, coverage is often tied to the working spouse's coverage. See how much life insurance do I need?.
Tips for a smooth application
- List your medications with names, doses, and what they treat.
- Note dates of diagnoses, surgeries, and any abnormal test results.
- Have doctor contact details ready.
- Be precise about nicotine. Occasional cigars, vaping, or nicotine gum can count; each carrier defines this differently.
- Decide on beneficiaries in advance, including how to handle minor children. See life insurance with young children.
- Answer fully and accurately. Misstatements discovered during the contestability period, often two years, can affect a claim.
How insurers use and protect this information
Insurers are subject to state insurance privacy laws and federal rules such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act for consumer reports. Your application should include a privacy notice explaining how information is shared. Read it, and ask questions if anything is unclear.
What Lumence does not collect
Lumence is not an insurer and does not take applications. It does not ask for your name, date of birth, Social Security number, address, email, phone number, or medical records. It only uses coarse, anonymous answer bands to produce an illustrative estimate. See the FAQ.
Key takeaways
- Insurers ask about identity, health, family history, lifestyle, driving, finances, and beneficiaries.
- You will authorize checks of records like MIB, prescription history, and driving records.
- Income information helps the insurer confirm the amount is reasonable.
- Gathering medications, dates, and doctor details in advance saves time.
- Accurate answers protect your beneficiaries' claim.
Want a rough number for your own situation? Explore my coverage