Life insurance exams are essentially medical exams that you may have to take when you choose an insurance provider. Once you have received quotes and made your final decision, a key part of the process is for the provider to determine your current health status. This is done to determine the level of risk that the provider is taking, which will also determine your premium or how much you will be able to claim from the provider.

Many people worry about this step, whether they are in good health or not. Before the exam is taken however, you will first complete a basic health questionnaire. This could include questions regarding your current health, your age and other factors such as whether you a smoker, very overweight or even any pre-existing medical issues you may have. Once these questions have been completed, the life insurance exam will be taken.

Some things to note about this exam include the following:

• In most cases, the exam is done through a doctor chosen by the life insurance company. This will usually be a GP, who will do basic tests such as blood and urine samples, plus your heart rate and other basic check-ups.

• Blood and urine samples are done to test for any conditions you may have. If you are a smoker, and you have not specified this during your health questionnaire, the level of nicotine will be found in your blood. Always answer honestly, as your exam will highlight any issues you may have, listed or otherwise.

• You may be asked to do a treadmill test. If you are 50 years or older, this will determine your current pulse and resting heart rate. In this test, you will be asked to walk and then jog for a few minutes, after which the doctor will take your pulse.

• Smokers and obese people may have higher premiums. This is because both smoking and excessive weight are considered high risk factors. If you have recently stopped smoking, you may not have to pay much more than a non-smoker, but it is important to note that your current health will affect your live cover.

• Some providers will not offer life insurance to those with cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS or other chronic or life-threatening conditions. The good news is that there are many companies who accept everyone, regardless of their pre-existing conditions. Just to be sure, it may be a good idea to ask the provider once you have received life insurance quotes in order to know whether they will accept your application.

• If you are healthy, don't smoke and maintain an active, health-conscious lifestyle, you will get the most affordable premiums available to you. This is because you are a low-risk applicant who will not be likely to develop health conditions. Your age may affect your premiums to some extent, but generally speaking you should have no trouble getting started once you have accepted life insurance quotes and made your final decision.