Making Workplace Insurance Easy: Understanding Automatic Acceptance and Non-Underwriting
When it comes to offering insurance to your employees, one of the biggest barriers is the perception that it’s complicated, full of forms, and requires invasive medical questions. But here’s the good news: group employee insurance often includes automatic acceptance and non-underwriting, making it far easier for both you and your team to get protected quickly and simply.
If you're an employer looking to offer insurance as part of your employee benefits package, understanding these two terms can make a big difference. They help streamline the process, reduce employee hesitation, and show your staff that their wellbeing matters.
What Is Automatic Acceptance?
Automatic acceptance means that eligible employees can be covered by the group insurance policy without having to go through medical underwriting—as long as they meet certain criteria and join within the initial eligibility period (usually 60 or 90 days of starting employment or the scheme launch).
This makes the process smooth, stress-free, and quick. Employees don’t need to fill in long forms, provide detailed medical history, or worry about being declined due to a pre-existing condition.
What Does Non-Underwriting Mean?
Non-underwriting means there’s no need for individual health checks or personal medical questionnaires at all within certain conditions. Employees are automatically accepted up to a defined amount of cover (called a Free Cover Limit), and won’t need to go through additional steps unless they request more cover beyond that limit.
For example, an employee may be automatically covered for $250,000 of life cover and full medical insurance without any paperwork. If they request additional voluntary top-up cover, underwriting may apply—but only then.
Why It Matters for Employers
Offering insurance without complicated forms or medical assessments makes your benefits package more attractive and accessible. Here’s why it works in your favour:
Higher uptake: Employees are more likely to join if they don’t have to worry about health questions or being declined.
More inclusive: Employees with pre-existing health conditions still get the protection they need.
Faster onboarding: You can get staff enrolled and protected more quickly.
Better employee trust: You show your team that you're offering practical, hassle-free support.
A Note on Eligibility Windows
It’s important to note that automatic acceptance usually applies only within a specific timeframe—usually when the employee first joins the company or the benefit scheme. If employees delay signing up, they may need to go through underwriting later.
That’s why clear communication is key. Employers should explain the benefits early and encourage employees to join as soon as they’re eligible.
Automatic Acceptance and Non-Underwriting
Automatic acceptance and non-underwriting take the stress and complexity out of employee insurance. By offering group cover that’s easy to access, you remove common barriers and help your team feel supported from day one. It’s one of the simplest, most inclusive ways to improve employee wellbeing—and create a benefit that your staff will genuinely value.
Need help setting up a group scheme or communicating automatic acceptance to your team? Employee Lab can guide you through it.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re an employer who genuinely cares about the wellbeing of your people. At Employee Lab, we offer two key services designed to support healthier, more engaged teams.
Pulse is our employee portal, giving your team access to practical resources on financial, physical, nutritional, and mental wellbeing.
We also offer Group Insurance, providing employees with access to life and health cover—often without the medical hurdles they’d face on their own.
Even better, employees covered under our Group Insurance automatically receive a subscription to Pulse at no extra cost.
Get in touch with us to find out how these services can make a meaningful difference in your workplace.