• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Financial Cents®
Content is based on in-depth research & analysis. Opinions are our own. We may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase from links on our site. Learn more.
  • Make Money
    • Get Money Now
      • Ultimate Guide to Making Money
      • Need Money Now
      • Get Free Money Fast
      • Make Money Fast
      • Make $1K Per Month
    • Control Your Destiny
      • Self Employed Jobs
      • Make Money Online
      • Hobbies That Make Money
      • How to Become a Freelance Writer
      • Small Business Ideas to Start
      • How to Become an Independent Contractor
      • Best Online Jobs
    • Passive Income
      • Passive Income Ideas
      • Multiple Streams of Income
      • Extra Income
      • Residual Income Ideas
      • Learn to Sell e-Books
      • Make Money on Facebook
      • Make Money on Tiktok
      • Best Online Survey Sites to Make Money
    • Explore More
      • Make Money for Teens
      • Best Online Colleges
      • Best Jobs No College Degree
      • Become a Millionaire
      • Careers for the Future
  • Manage Money
    • Best Of
      • Budgeting Tools
      • Personal Finance Software
      • Best Cashback Cards
    • Company Reviews
      • Personal Capital vs Mint
      • Personal Capital Review
      • SmartAsset Review
    • Guides
      • Buy or Lease a Car
      • What is Liquid Net Worth?
      • Setting Financial Goals
      • How to Budget
      • Ways to Save Money
    • Explore More
      • How Much Car Can I Afford?
      • Best Auto Refinance Companies
  • Invest
    • Best Of
      • Best Low Risk Investments
      • Best Short Term Investments
      • Best Long Term Investments
      • Best Online Stock Brokers
      • Best Crypto Exchanges
    • Company Reviews
      • Lending Club
      • Robinhood
      • M1 Finance
      • Ally
      • TD Ameritrade
      • Fundrise
      • Betterment
      • Etrade
      • Wealthfront
    • Guides
      • Investing Small Amounts of Money
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • No Money Down Real Estate
      • Bonds vs Stocks
      • Peer to Peer Lending
      • Best Hedges Against Inflation
      • Safe Bitcoin Investing in 2022
    • Explore More
      • Bitcoin vs. Real Estate
      • Betterment vs Wealthfront
      • Investing for College Students
      • Stock Market Alternatives
    • By Investment Amount
      • How to Invest $100
      • How to Invest $1K
      • How to Invest $5K
      • How to Invest $10K
      • How to Invest $20K
      • How to Invest $50K
      • How to Invest $100K
      • How to Invest $200K
      • How to Invest $500K
      • How to Invest $1M
  • Taxes
    • Best Of
      • Best Tax Relief Companies
      • Best Tax Software
    • Guides
      • Federal Income Tax Guide 2022
      • Taxes and Cryptocurrency
      • How to Do Your Own Taxes
      • How to Invest Your Tax Refund
      • Hiring a Professional Tax Preparer
      • Tax Tips for Freelancers
    • Company Reviews
      • TurboTax Review
      • H&R Block Review
      • Taxslayer
      • Tax Act
  • Insurance
    • Best Of
      • Best Life Insurance
      • Best Home Insurance
      • Best Auto Insurance
      • Cheap Term Life Insurance
      • Car Insurance For Young Adults
    • Guides
      • Term vs Whole Life
      • Different Types of Car Insurance
      • Average Cost of Car Insurance
    • Explore More
      • Life Insurance Over 50
      • Life Insurance Over 80
      • $1 Million Life Insurance
      • $2 Million Life Insurance
      • $3 Million Life Insurance
    • Company Reviews
      • Banner Life Insurance
      • Ladder Life Insurance
      • Health IQ
      • Haven Life
      • Policygenius
      • State Farm Auto Insurance Review
  • Retirement
    • Roth IRA
      • Best Places to Open a Roth IRA
      • 7 Roth IRA Secrets
      • Roth IRA Conversion Guide
      • Roth IRA Rules
      • Roth IRA vs Roth 401k
      • Are Roth IRA Contributions Tax Deductible?
    • 401(k)
      • 401(k) Limits
      • 401(k) to Roth Rollover
      • Is 401(k) Enough for Retirement?
      • Maxed Out 401(k): What's next?
    • Traditional IRA
      • Traditional IRA Rules and Limits
      • Traditional IRA vs. 401(k)
      • Simple IRA Rules
      • SEP IRA Rules
      • How Much Do You Need to Start an IRA?
    • Explore More
      • SEP IRA vs. Roth IRA
      • 457 Plan for Successful Retirement
      • 401a Rollover Rules
      • How to Retire at 50
      • How to Retire at 55
  • Banking
    • Best Of
      • Best National Banks
      • Best High-Yield Savings Accounts
      • Best Checking Accounts
      • Best Savings Accounts
      • Best CD Rates
      • Best Money Market Accounts
    • Company Reviews
      • BBVA
      • Synchrony
      • Wells Fargo
    • Explore More
      • 9 Banking Alternatives for 2022
      • What is a Credit Union?
  • Home
    • Best Of
      • Best Mortgage Lenders
      • Best Mortgage Refinance Companies
      • Best Homeowners Insurance
      • Best VA Loans
      • Best Mortgage Rates
      • Best Moving Companies
      • Best Home Security
    • Guides
      • Home Buying Checklist
      • Online Home Appraisal
      • How Much House Can I Afford?
      • First-time Homebuyer Programs
      • How to Get Approved for a Home Loan
      • Save Money When Building a House
      • How to Save for a Downpayment
      • When to Refinance Your Mortgage
    • Explore More
      • 15 vs. 30-year Mortgage
      • Home Warranty vs. Home Insurance
      • Veterans United Home Loan Review
      • Quicken Loans Review
      • HELOC vs Second Mortgage
      • DCU Mortgage Review
      • Costco Mortgage Program Review
      • USAA Mortgage Loan Review
  • Credit
    • Best Of
      • Best Credit Repair Companies
      • Best ID Theft Protection Services
      • Best Credit Report Options
      • Best Bad Credit Loans
    • Guides
      • How to Build Your Credit Score
      • How to Raise Your Credit Score in 5 Months
      • How to Dispute Your Credit Report
      • Hot to Remove Collections from Your Credit Reports
      • How Identity Theft Destroys Your Credit Score
    • Explore More
      • What is a Good Credit Score?
      • What is a Bad Credit Score?
  • Debt
    • Best Of
      • Best Personal Loans
      • Best Student Loans
      • Best Student Loan Refinance
    • Guides
      • How to Get Out of Debt
      • How to Get a Personal Loan Approved
      • How to Pay Off Student Loans Faster
      • Should I Consolidate My Debts?
      • Should I File for Bankruptcy?
    • Company Reviews
      • Credible
      • Sofi
Advertiser Disclosure (How We Make Money)
GoodFinancialCents.com has an advertising relationship with the companies included on this page. All of our content is based on objective analysis, and the opinions are our own. For more information, please check out our full disclaimer and complete list of partners.

Top 5 Non-Medical Factors That Affect Your Life Insurance Rates

Jeff Rose, CFP® | September 01, 2021

The Super Man complex most healthy people have has a kryptonite when it comes to life insurance options: the non-medical factors that affect your life insurance rates.

It’s a huge shock to many people who get a free life insurance quote who are in the best shape of their lives when they can’t qualify for the best life insurance rates because of non-medical factors. It usually goes something like this:

“I Crossfit 3 times/week and compete in Iron Man triathalons and you’re telling me that I can’t qualify for the best rates because I’m a rock climber?”

Yes. That’s what we’re saying.

In our 8 years of helping consumers find the lowest life insurance rates available, here are the top 5 “non-medical” factors that affect your life
insurance rates (in no particular order).

Non-Medical Factors that Affect Life Insurance Rates

1. Hazardous Occupations

Have you seen “Deadliest Catch” ? Those 700 lb steel traps on a boat being swung around by 25 foot waves isn’t really the ideal risk for life insurance companies. Expect to pay more… a lot more.

We’re also talking about occupations like oil rig workers, ironworkers (think high rise structural construction) and bomb diffusers. Yes, I’ve actually insured a police bomb diffuser. One of the sharpest clients I can remember – but he pays A LOT more for his life insurance than if he didn’t have this hazardous occupation.

Again, most of these people are in great shape because of the nature of their occupation – but their non-medical factors come into play when underwriting their applications.

2. Hazardous Activities

In this group, the most common risks we see are deep sea scuba divers, private pilots, motor racing, skydivers and high altitude rock climbers. Most of these people HAVE to be in great shape to perform these activities at a high level and most of them are. However, these risky activities come with increased premiums when it comes to life insurance no matter how fit you are.

Be prepared to fill out a questionnaire regarding the specifics of your hazardous activities as life insurance companies will determine your pricing based on many factors including your training, experience, and how often you perform these activities. If you are going to participate in high-risk activities don’t be surprised if you land in the high-risk life insurance premium bucket.

3. Foreign Travel

If you have any plans to travel abroad, your life insurance company wants to know about them. If it’s a high-risk area, like any of the places on this government Travel Warnings List, you’ll have a very hard time finding coverage until you come home from your trip.

Life insurance companies will also be looking at the purpose of travel and length of stay. For example – you may have a 2 week vacation planned to Bali, Indonesia, but Indonesia may be on the state departments “Travel Warnings” list or be a high risk country in the company’s underwriting guidelines. Many companies won’t consider this risk after factoring the purpose and length of stay.

Many companies will ask about previous foreign travel as well. If you show a pattern of traveling to potentially high risk places, they may factor that in to their underwriting decision.

4. Family History

This is the biggest disappointment to consumers purchasing life insurance because it’s something you have no control over. Generally speaking, if any of your parents or siblings passed away before the age of 60 of cancer, heart disease or diabetes – most life insurance companies won’t offer their best health classification.

However there are some highly rated and very well known life insurance companies that don’t factor this in. If you’re in great health, make sure your agent provides you with these options.

Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdAds by Money disclaimer
With a Life Insurance policy you can take care of your family the right way.
Should anything happen to you, you'll want to leave your loved ones a financial nest egg for their wellbeing. Click on your state to find out more.
HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexas
See An Estimate

5. DUI’s and Moving Violations

Life insurance companies will pull your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) and factor in any excessive moving violations and DUI’s. A couple speeding tickets usually isn’t an issue, but when you get a reckless driving ticket, DUI or an excessive number of moving violations – it becomes a factor in your life insurance pricing.

Every life insurance company will have different underwriting guidelines for each specific high risk activity.

The best advice we can give is to be open, honest and detailed with your agent about your non-medical factors. It’s your life insurance agent’s job to find you the best life insurance rates available and the more information we have, the better chance you have of actually securing the best rates.

Lastly, if you have a family or anyone financially dependent on you – don’t be disheartened because of the higher pricing. Many people we speak with think it’s “unfair” that they have to pay more because of these “non-medical” factors that come into play when determining your life insurance rates. It’s unfair to your family if you don’t protect them.

Remember the purpose of this coverage. Tomorrow is promised to one, so protect your family today.

Jeff Root is an independent life insurance agent at rootfin.com where he helps consumers across the nation find the lowest life insurance available.

Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

About the Author

Jeff Rose, CFP® is a Certified Financial Planner™, founder of Good Financial Cents, and author of the personal finance book Soldier of Finance. Jeff is an Iraqi combat veteran and served 9 years in the Army National Guard. His work is regularly featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Inc.com and Entrepreneur.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn


You Might Also Enjoy

All the Types of Life Insurance Policies, Explained

All the Types of Life Insurance Policies, Explained

9 Best Life Insurance Companies - Updated May 2022

9 Best Life Insurance Companies - Updated May 2022

$2 Million Dollar Life Insurance: Is it worth it?

$2 Million Dollar Life Insurance: Is it worth it?

Life Insurance When You're Over 50

Life Insurance When You're Over 50

Life Insurance Over 80: Burial insurance riders

Life Insurance Over 80: Burial insurance riders

Best Extended Car Warranty for 2022

Best Extended Car Warranty for 2022

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marc Lewandowski says

    Great Post Jeff! What most people don’t realize is that getting life insurance can be much easier if you work with an agent who is used to high risk individuals and no exam life insurance policies. Many times the high risk occupation people can get really good rates this way.

    Reply
  2. Edward says

    Another non-medical factor, is of course the amount of in-force coverage you have. An unusually-high amount coupled with unverifiable income and/or assets could set off some red flags.

    And somewhat related would be a situation where you have applied for numerous plans with different carriers within the last 30 days. Unless there’s a good reason, it typically is not viewed in a positive way.

    Ed

    Reply
  3. Daniel Johnson says

    Great points Jeff. The fact of the matter is, offering life insurance to someone with a high risk lifestyle for the same rate as a low risk client isn’t fair to the low risk client; they’re much less likely to make a claim. Understanding the process and reasoning behind the generation of rates is essential for understanding what constitutes “fair.”

    Reply
  4. Jammy says

    It is true that you should not hide any details from your life insurance company. This helps you in claiming your money in future.

    Reply
  5. Lyndsay says

    Life advisors aren’t just underwriting your health, but your everything you do. It can be hard for people to keep that in mind, or think that a hobby like rock climbing, which can sound pretty tame, would impact their life insurance rates.

    Reply
    • Non-medical says

      I guess you’re right. But I wonder if people involved in some risky activity could get a life insurance without medical exam? Is that an option for them? I know that usually it’s the people with serious illnesses or seniors who use this kind of service. But, I mean, if those companies are willing to sell an insurance to abovementioned people without a question, would that work with totally heallthy but hot-headed people?

      Reply
  6. Mike says

    Yet another reason to NOT drink and drive! Great article.

    Reply
    • KC @ genxfinance says

      I agree. It’s too risky, not just with the life insurance but also with your life. Never drink and drive because you never know when will an accident will happen.

      Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    Interested to see how the implementation of the Affordable Care Act will change some of these issues.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

_GFC_Insurance

Advertiser Disclosure (How We Make Money)
We have an advertising relationship with the companies included on this page. All of our content is based on objective analysis, and the opinions are our own. For more information, please check out our full disclaimer and complete list of partners.
Table of Contents
  • Non-Medical Factors that Affect Life Insurance Rates

Insurance Resources

  • Best Life Insurance Companies
  • Best Car Insurance Companies
  • Cheap Car Insurance
  • Best Car Insurance For Young Adults
  • Best Homeowners Insurance
  • Best Disability Insurance Companies
  • Best Home Warranties
  • How Much Does $1M Life Insurance Cost?
  • Types Of Life Insurance Policies Explained
  • Life Insurance Over 50
  • Life Insurance Over 80
  • Make Money
  • Manage Money
  • Invest
  • Taxes
  • Insurance
  • Retirement
  • Banking
  • Home
  • Credit
  • Debt
  • About
  • Contact
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Facebook LinkedIn Twitter

© 2022 Good Financial Cents®. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Licenses & Disclosures

All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of AWM, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to another parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

All third party trademarks, including logos and icons, referenced in this website, are the property of their respective owners. Unless otherwise indicated, the use of third party trademarks herein does not imply or indicate any relationship, sponsorship, or endorsement between Good Financial Cents® and the owners of those trademarks. Any reference in this website to third party trademarks is to identify the corresponding third party goods and/or services.