Applying for life insurance involves completing a health questionnaire, answering lifestyle questions, and, in most cases, a brief medical exam (height, weight, blood pressure, and blood draw). The insurer’s underwriting team reviews your application, may request medical records, and determines your risk classification — which sets your premium. Approval typically takes three to six weeks for fully underwritten policies. Accelerated underwriting, available from some carriers for healthier applicants, can provide approval without a medical exam in as little as 48 hours. Accelerated underwritten policies can be more costly per thousand of coverage.