National Western No Exam Life Insurance Review


Quick Summary: National Western's NWL Rapid issue product its known for its fast approval and ability to renew up to age 95 without proving insurability. Overall it's a good product but depending on individual needs, there is often a better no exam choice for most our clients.


Skip the Exam

See our in-depth guide about life insurance without the medical exam. Compare more than 20 of the top companies and policies. Find out which is right for you today.

About the Company

National Western Life Insurance Company began offering insurance products in 1956 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas. Residents of all states except New York may purchase their products.

National Western Life Insurance Company logo

Consistently rated highly for their customer interactions, National Western maintains an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). On the financial side, their marks of  A (Excellent) from A.M. Best and A (Strong) from Standard & Poor's demonstrate their strength on the balance sheets.

Among their products offered are term, permanent, and whole life insurance as well as universal and indexed universal life insurance. Several types of annuity products are also available for those in need of retirement income.

About the Policy

Product Name

NWL Rapid Issue

Coverage

$25,000 to $250,000

ISSUE AGE

20 to 65

TERM LENGTH

10, 15, 20, 30 years

Product Name

NWL Rapid Issue

COVERAGE

$25,000 to $250,000

ISSUE AGE

20 to 65

TeRM LENGTH

10, 15, 20, 30 years

Underwriting Process

National Western has a fast and efficient underwriting process that is done all electronically. They are one of the only carriers that will never request to see medical records which can really slow things down.

What they will check:

  • Medical Information Bureau - past life insurance approvals and denials
  • MVR - Motor Vehicle Report - your driving history
  • Rx database - record of any prescriptions you've taken

Decision Time

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Because no medical records are ordered and it's done 100% digital, most underwriting decisions will be done in 1-3 days for an approval or denial.

Pros

Fast approval, many times the same day.

Guaranteed renewable up to age 95 despite any health changes.

Good choices for riders should you wish to customize the policy.

Cons

Maximum death benefit of $250,000.

Conversion to permanent insurance option is not automatically included (costs extra).

Extras and Options

For a no physical exam product, National Western Life offers an impressive selection of riders and policy add-ons.

Included at no charge:

  • Accelerated Death Benefit for Critical Illness 
  • Accelerated Death Benefit for Chronic Illness
  • Accelerated Death Benefit for Terminal Illness

Can be added with an additional cost:

  • Waiver of Premium Disability Benefit Rider
  • Accidental Death Benefit Rider
  • Children’s Term Life Insurance Rider
  • Other Insured Term Rider

With the purchase of a conversion option, your policy can be converted to a permanent insurance product before the end of the initial level term period or age 65, whichever comes first. This can be done regardless of health. If you select the conversion option, premiums will increase from day 1 of the policy whether or not you actually end up exercising the conversion.

Cost

National Western Life's cost of premiums is more expensive than competing non-medical products at other insurance companies.

Sample No Medical Exam Rates - National Western Life - NWL Rapid Issue

42-year-old male at Standard health class - pricing listed is per month

Death Benefit

10 Year

20 Year

30 Year

$50,000

$21

$26

$34

$100,000

$27

$37

$52

$200,000

$43

$64

$95

36-year-old female at Standard health class - pricing listed is per month

Death Benefit

10 Year

20 Year

30 Year

$50,000

$17

$20

$23

$100,000

$18

$24

$30

$200,000

$26

$38

$50

How to Find the Best No Exam Life Insurance

If you are considering life insurance without the physical exam, National Western might be one to consider.

Might....

There are over 800 life insurance companies in the United States and many of them now offer the choice to skip the medical exam. You need to choose the company based on it's financial strength, price of premiums, underwriting for your specific medical history, and policy requirements.

The best way to do this is to work with an independent agency that is:

  • Unbiased and not obligated to any particular life insurance company.
  • Has access to all the top no exam products as well as some niche products for certain people/situations.
  • Is a specialist in the no exam area.
using an independent life insurance agent to maximize pensions benefits through the addition of a life insurance policy

No Pressure. No Cost.

You're in luck:) 

We do all the above and more. If you'd like to have a no pressure talk about options, please contact us or fill out the quote request form on this site.

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Authors

  • Ty Stewart

    Ty Stewart is a founder and contributor of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about life insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as a life insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed life insurance agent he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simple.

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  • Bennett Bier

    I’m Bennett Bier, owner, author and fact checker of Simple Life Insure. I believe working with a small independent broker offers consumers more personal attention and superior customer service. As an independent agent licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia I have access to many of the top A+ rated life insurance carriers. This lets me locate a plan that you will qualify for while saving you money at the same time. Over the years I have mastered the art of underwriting, getting approvals even for my highest risk clients. I’m also likely the person that will answer the phone when you call.

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