When taking out a new life insurance policy, insurers or brokers will ask a range of initial questions in order to be able to provide you with an indication of the cost.
These initial questions allow some of the typical risk factors to be estimated for your particular circumstances.
Insurers will ask much cover you require and for how long you need the policy to run. They will then ask for some personal details such as age, sex, your general health and whether you smoke or have smoked recently.
Then making some assumptions based on average enquiries they will be able to give you an esitmate for the cost of the policy you require.
If you like this price and choose to proceed with the policy application, you may then need to answer a further set of more detailed questions, primarilty about your health and the health of your near relatives. You may also be ask to attend a medical examination at your GP.
When applying for insurance always ask for a quote. By shopping around and getting several quotes you'll avoid being caught by an expensive policy.