Often, yes. In addition to medical tests, which help to classify the risk the company is taking in insuring you, the company will likely ask for some basic medical history on you, your parents and siblings. Sometimes, financial information is also required in connection with certain insurance applications to verify that there really is a need for the insurance. (Companies have learned that an inappropriately large amount of life insurance is sometimes associated with an increased risk of suicide, hidden health history, or the possibility that the applicant may be murdered.)