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What is a Telemedical Checkup in Term Insurance?
Shreya SahuMay 12, 2026
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Telemedical checkup in term insurance helps insurers understand your health condition through medical checkups done over the phone or video. Term insurance is a type of life insurance that offers financial protection to your family for a fixed period. For this reason, a medical checkup is an important part of the policy process.
During the call, insurers may review details such as your age, lifestyle habits, and general health. It helps them assess risk and decide suitable premiums while ensuring accurate information during policy issuance. Read on to learn more about telemedical checkups in term insurance.
Contents
- Why Do Insurance Companies Conduct Telemedical Checkups?
- How Does a Telemedical Checkup for Term Insurance Work?
- What Questions Are Asked During a Telemedical Checkup?
- When is a Telemedical Checkup Required?
- Benefits of Telemedical Checkups in Term Insurance
- What is the Difference Between a Telemedical Checkup and a Physical Checkup in Term Insurance?
- Is a Telemedical Checkup Mandatory for Buying Term Insurance?
- Things to Keep in Mind Before Your Telemedical Appointment
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Insurance Companies Conduct Telemedical Checkups?
Insurance companies use telemedical checkups to understand applicants’ conditions and verify the details of their health that were mentioned in the term insurance application. Key reasons for a telemedical checkup include:
Accurate Risk Management: With telemedical checkups, insurers evaluate your health and current lifestyle. This helps them assess any potential risks before issuing the policy.
Premium Determination: Telemedical checkups may help insurers assess health details, which can be considered while determining premiums as per underwriting guidelines. Healthier individuals may get lower rates; however, health profiles with risks may need to pay higher premiums.
Policy Customisation: Telemedical results help insurers to customise coverage. This includes adding rider plans for extra protection, such as an accidental death benefit rider or a critical illness benefit rider.
Convenience: A telemedical checkup can be done from the comfort of your home. This removes the need to travel to a diagnostic centre to complete the process.
How Does a Telemedical Checkup for Term Insurance Work?
If you are wondering how a telemedical checkup works in insurance, then follow this simple step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Once you submit the insurance policy, you can choose to schedule a checkup at your convenience.
Step 2: Next, a medical professional will call you and ask questions about your medical history, lifestyle, and current state of health.
Step 3: The insurer reviews the information the applicant has shared with the medical professional during the consultation.
Step 4: After the assessment, the insurer may approve the policy or request additional medical tests, depending on underwriting requirements.
What Questions Are Asked During a Telemedical Checkup?
Here are 6 commonly asked questions that are asked during a telemedical checkup
Do you smoke, use tobacco or consume alcohol?
What is your routine for physical activity?
What chronic conditions do you have?
Do you have a family history of heart disease, cancer, or diabetes?
Have you ever been hospitalised or undergone surgery?
What medications are you currently taking regularly?
When is a Telemedical Checkup Required?
A telemedical checkup may be required in situations such as:
If the age group falls within a certain category, such as younger individuals.
If the chosen sum assured is within certain limits set by the insurance company.
If there are no major medical conditions declared.
If the policy is purchased through the digital process.
In certain instances, insurance companies may also advise the individual to undergo physical medical tests. It includes blood tests, an ECG, or a stress test. This mostly depends on the coverage chosen and the underwriting guidelines of the insurance company.
Benefits of Telemedical Checkups in Term Insurance
Some key benefits of telemedical checkups in term insurance include:
Quicker Approval: Tele-medicals help speed up the process of approval of your term insurance policy.
Safety: You are not exposed to the risk of infection, which may be faced by individuals who physically visit hospitals.
Better Premium Rates: Providing accurate health information may help insurers assess your risk profile more accurately while determining premiums.
Suitable for Remote/NRI Customers: You can also use tele-medicals if you are an NRI or live in remote areas and cannot physically visit a diagnostic centre located in India.
No Diagnostic Tests: In some cases, telemedical consultations may be conducted without immediate diagnostic tests. However, additional tests may still be requested if required.
What is the Difference Between a Telemedical Checkup and a Physical Checkup in Term Insurance?
The key difference between a telemedical checkup and a physical checkup in term insurance is the process of assessment. One is done via call or online mode, while the other is done at the medical clinic.
Some other points of difference between the two are:
Aspects | Telemedical Checkup | Medical (Physical) Tests |
|---|---|---|
Convenience | Can be completed from home without visiting the medical clinic | Can be completed at a medical clinic or hospital only |
Process | Involves asking about medical history, lifestyle habits and the current health condition of the applicant | Includes medical tests such as blood tests and other necessary tests |
When it is used | Mainly for younger applicants with lower coverage amounts | For older applicants with higher coverage amounts |
Time taken | Usually, a quicker process | May take a longer time due to medical tests and reports |
Is a Telemedical Checkup Mandatory for Buying Term Insurance?
No, a telemedical checkup is not always mandatory for buying term insurance. However, it is a common requirement of insurers to assess risk without a physical visit. A telemedical checkup acts as a virtual alternative to physical tests.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Your Telemedical Appointment
Before undergoing a telemedical checkup, it is important to keep certain things in mind for a smooth and accurate consultation.
Provide accurate and correct information about your health, lifestyle, and medical history.
Inform the medical practitioner about the current illness, treatment, or pre-existing medical conditions.
Keep medical records, prescriptions, or previous test results handy in case they are required.
Choosing a quiet location with good internet or phone connectivity helps ensure a smooth consultation.
In case you recall your medical condition that you failed to mention earlier, inform the insurer so that your insurance details are updated.
Conclusion
The world is changing into a digital, fast-paced zone. To follow up with the current trend, the insurance companies are changing the way they used to operate. Insurance companies like ACKO offer telemedical checkups as part of their digital policy issuance process for term insurance. Therefore, removing the stress of carrying documents and standing in long queues at the medical centres.
Disclaimer: Telemedical checkups and policy approvals are subject to the insurer’s underwriting guidelines and the terms and conditions of the policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the frequently asked questions on What is a Telemedical Checkup in Term Insurance?
Can a telemedical checkup substitute a physical medical test?
In most cases, a telemedical checkup can substitute a physical medical test for younger applicants with good health and moderate coverage.
Does a telemedical checkup affect term insurance premiums?
The telemedical consultation does not affect term insurance premiums. However, health habits and health conditions may affect premiums.
How long does a telemedical checkup usually take?
The telemedical consultation usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. Approval of the insurance policy may be granted soon after if the applicant does not need further tests.
What questions are asked during a telemedical checkup?
During a telemedical checkup, you may be asked about your medical history, existing illnesses, medications, lifestyle habits, family health history, and any recent treatments or hospitalisations.
Are telemedical consultations recorded and confidential?
The telemedical consultation can be recorded, and the information will be kept confidential for the purpose of evaluating the insurance policy.
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