When you apply for life insurance, or if someone applies for life insurance on someone else, the insurance company wants to make sure the proposed insured consents to the coverage.
The insurer also wants to verify the applicant is who they say they are. And get a few more pieces of information that can’t always be captured on an application.
They accomplish these tasks through a brief phone interview.
Overview of the Life Insurance Phone Interview Process
Within 24-48 hours of receiving your official application, a representative of the insurance company will contact you (or the proposed insured if that’s not you) to collect necessary information.
If you are not available when the interviewer calls, you can reschedule for a better time that works for you. Another option is for you to call into the company directly and complete the interview at that time.
The phone interview will take approximately 30-40 minutes. You’ll be asked questions that encompass the following areas:
- Proof of identity and financial information
- Health and medical information
- Additional information on lifestyle, hobbies, etc.
Not all the answers given on a life insurance application are black and white. This phone call is your opportunity to explain any gray areas in your own words.
Your privacy is important. All of the information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only for consideration of the insurance coverage for which you apply.
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Documents You’ll Need for the Interview
While the majority of the questions can be answered without preparation, there is some information you should have on hand for quick reference. Use the following list as a guide.
Proof of Identity and Personal Information
- Driver’s license number
- Social Security number
- Household net worth, including income
- Employment information
- Current life insurance coverage information, if applicable
Healthy, Medical, and Lifestyle Information
- Names, addresses, and phone numbers of current doctors, as well as any doctors visited within the last few years
- Reasons for and dates of medical treatment and/or surgeries
- Names of any prescription medicines you are taking the dosages
- Use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs
- Lifestyle questions (e.g. exercise habits, travel, any risky sports/hobbies such as skydiving, rock climbing, etc.)
Completing the Phone Interview
Within 24-48 hours of completing the phone interview, you will electronically (and securely) receive the application complete with your interview responses so you can review them.
You’ll be required to apply an eSignature to acknowledge the application is accurate and ready for official submission. Note: if the proposed insured is different from the policyowner, email addresses for both individuals need to be provided and eSignatures from both will be required.
Some life insurance companies offer a verbal approval option during the interview in lieu of sending the application for a signature. Either way you will receive a copy of the completed application for your records.
The next step would be to complete your life insurance medical exam. If required, some carriers schedule the medical exam during the phone interview with you, some will call later to schedule it separately.
» Learn more: 12 Tips for Your Life Insurance Medical Exam
Not all life insurance companies follow the same processes, but this is a general explanation of how the phone interview is conducted.
If you haven’t yet applied for life insurance, feel free to run free term life insurance quotes now to check how little it may cost you. You won’t need to give up any personal contact information to see quotes, and once you apply, we will never sell your information. Quotacy is your advocate in the life insurance buying process.
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