Does seeing a doctor increase my life insurance rates?

Generally, no. Regular checkups show you are managing your health. Undiagnosed or uncontrolled conditions discovered during the insurance exam cause higher rates.

Can I get insurance if I smoke?

Yes, but you will pay significantly more (Smoker Rates). If you quit for at least 12 months, you may qualify for Non-Smoker rates.

What is a Preferred Plus rating?

Preferred Plus is the highest health classification, reserved for individuals with ideal BMI, no smoking history, and excellent family health history. It offers the lowest possible premiums.

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Health & Life Insurance Guide

Your health profile is essentially your price tag. While you cannot change your age, understanding how insurers view your medical history, weight, and lifestyle can save you up to 50 percent on your premiums.

Calculate Coverage Read the Guide

The 4 Pillars of Health Underwriting

Life insurance underwriters look at mortality risk—statistically, how likely you are to live a long life. They break this down into four primary categories. Click any card below to dive deeper into that specific topic.

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BMI & Body Composition

Insurers use "Build Charts" to set rates. Being slightly overweight might not hurt you, but crossing specific BMI thresholds can trigger higher premiums. Learn how to navigate the health classes.

Read about Weight & Rates →

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Smoking & Nicotine

Tobacco use is the single biggest cost factor, often tripling your rate. However, the definition of "smoker" varies by company. We explain the rules for vaping, cigars, and quitting.

See Smoker vs. Non-Smoker Costs →

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Pre-Existing Conditions

Diabetes, high blood pressure, or anxiety does not mean you are uninsurable. The key is "control." Learn how detailed clinical records can actually help you secure a better rate.

Managing Chronic Risks →

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The Medical Exam

Most policies require a paramedical exam. It involves blood work, a urine sample, and a vitals check. We provide tips on how to prepare so you get the best possible results.

Ace Your Exam →

Strategies to Lower Your Premium

Insurance underwriting is not black and white. Two people with the same health condition can pay vastly different prices depending on how they apply.

1. The "Clinical Underwriting" Advantage

Not all insurance companies view risks the same way. Company A might be very strict on blood pressure, while Company B is lenient on blood pressure but strict on BMI and Weight. Working with an independent broker who can "shop" your medical profile anonymously is the best way to find the carrier that views your specific health history most favorably.

2. Timing Your Application

If you have recently quit smoking, it is vital to wait until you hit the 12-month mark to avoid Smoker Rates. Similarly, if you are undergoing a temporary medical treatment (like physical therapy for an injury), it might be wise to wait until you are fully discharged to avoid appearing "high risk" on paper.

3. Reconsideration Requests

Health improves. If you lose 30 pounds, quit smoking, or get your cholesterol under control after you buy a policy, you do not have to keep paying high rates. After 1 year, you can ask for a "Rate Reconsideration." The insurer will send a nurse for a new Medical Exam, and if your numbers improve, your price drops.

The "Age Nearest" Rule

Insurers calculate your age based on your "Nearest Birthday," not your last birthday. If you are 39 and your birthday is in 5 months, you are priced as a 40-year-old.

Why does this matter?

Rates jump every year. Buying 6 months before your birthday can lock in a younger age rate for the next 20 or 30 years, saving you hundreds of dollars.

See Age-Based Costs

Frequently Asked Health Questions

Not always. No-Exam Life Insurance (Simplified Issue) uses electronic data records instead of physical exams. It is faster and less invasive, but often costs more and has lower coverage limits (usually capped at $1 million).

Generally, no. Insurers prefer to see that you are visiting a doctor regularly and managing your health. The "unknown" is riskier to them. A history of regular checkups with controlled Chronic Conditions is better than having no medical history at all.

"Preferred Plus" (or Super Preferred) is the highest health classification. It is reserved for individuals with ideal BMI, no smoking history, excellent family health history (no parents dying of heart disease before 60), and perfect labs. Only about top 10 percent of applicants qualify for this rate.