Term Life InsuranceTerm Life Insurance
SBLISBLI
The most accessible no-exam policy — friendly to higher BMI and common managed conditions.
SBLI
The most accessible no-exam policy — friendly to higher BMI and common managed conditions.
About SBLI
SBLI (Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts) was founded in 1907 as a direct-to-consumer alternative to agency-sold life insurance, originally chartered to provide affordable coverage to working families. Over a century later, SBLI continues to distinguish itself through accessible underwriting standards — accepting applicants at BMI levels up to 38 through its no-exam track, accepting well-managed sleep apnea with documented CPAP compliance, and routinely issuing policies to applicants with common managed conditions like mild anxiety or ADHD that trigger delays at other carriers. No-exam coverage is available up to $1 million for ages 18–50 and up to $500,000 for ages 51–60. The terminal illness rider provides access to up to 50% of the death benefit, capped at $250,000.
FindInsureWise's Take
SBLI is the recommended starting point for applicants who have been turned away or rated up at other carriers due to higher BMI, sleep apnea, or common managed conditions — and who still want a no-exam application experience. The no-exam eligibility at BMI up to 38 is meaningfully broader than the industry norm of 30–35. Living benefits cover terminal illness only, so SBLI is not suitable for families who want comprehensive illness coverage. The lower living benefit cap ($250K) also limits SBLI for high-coverage applicants.
Strengths
- No-exam eligibility up to BMI 38 — significantly more lenient than competitors
- Well-managed sleep apnea with CPAP compliance typically approved via no-exam track
- Mild anxiety, depression on single medication, and ADHD often approved without lab draws
- Clean, fast no-exam experience: $1M for ages 18–50, $500K for ages 51–60
- Founded 1907 — long institutional track record in accessible life insurance
Considerations
- Living benefits limited to terminal illness only — no critical illness or chronic illness riders
- Terminal illness cap of $250,000 (50% of death benefit) — lower than most competitors
- A (Excellent) rated — strong, but not A+ Superior
- Not the best choice if primary goal is comprehensive living benefit coverage
Accelerated Term
The most accessible no-exam policy — friendly to higher BMI and common managed conditions.
Product Details
Key Features
Broad No-Exam Eligibility
Ages 18–50 can apply for up to $1M with a real-time decision via a short tele-med interview or online application. Even applicants up to age 60 can qualify for up to $500K without a lab draw — no blood or urine testing required.
Higher BMI Accepted
While many carriers restrict no-exam approval at BMI 35, SBLI's accelerated track remains open for BMIs up to 38 — a meaningful advantage for applicants who fall just above standard cutoffs.
Common Managed Conditions Welcome
Well-managed sleep apnea (with CPAP compliance), mild anxiety or depression on one medication, and ADHD often qualify for immediate no-exam approval — conditions that cause delays or declinations at many other carriers.
Best For
Applicants who are slightly overweight or have common managed conditions, and anyone who wants to skip the blood draw entirely.