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subject: What Is Life Insurance Plan Underwriting Precisely? [print this page]


What Is Life Insurance Plan Underwriting Precisely?

The terms 'underwriting' is usually heard when discussing enrollment procedure for term-life insurance plan. Underwriting is truly a process in which a service provider makes out if someone suits the eligibility requirements for term life-insurance plan, and if yes, then at what health group. In this regard, the insurance underwriter is someone who evaluates your information based on carrier procedures & guidelines. The only thing that you should do in the process is to finish the application and take paramedical assessment.

The aspects which affect one's eligibility category are well spelled-out in the guidelines. For example, the carriers typically have a clear 'height to weight' ratio graph or chart which makes out health group beside apparent lines. 'Smoking', including its type, volume & duration is also delineated. These guidelines will also list a number of health problems with certain factors.

Some Aspects to Be Considered in Life Insurance plan Underwriting

Each life insurance company has their own ideas and methods to follow in making out whether to issue life-insurance coverage or not, and in costing the plan. Besides previously listed, some other aspects considered by a company's insurance underwriter are:

* The core aim of buying insurance plan (for example: for family or business protection, or estate planning).

* Age & sex

* Number of kids & relationship status

* The amount of insurance plans the candidate already has, or any additional plans he suggests to buy.

* Profession (some persons' job profile might be hazardous and thus increase risks of death).

* Income, to make out suitability

* Foreign travel (as planning a trip to some places can be risky)

* Some hobbies such as hang gliding, race-car driving & piloting non-commercial airplanes

* Alcohol (too much use may possibly hurt the life expectancy critically).

The questions in application process are usually related with previously listed factors.

Risk Categorization in Life Insurance plan Underwriting

Each insurance application is usually examined to make out if someone meets the underwriting standards of the company. Here are provided 4 common categories:

* Standard: If one is regarded a typical or common risk, he's charged regular rates.

* Preferred: If one is much better than normal risk (which means in sound health, without record of health problems or no harmful hobbies), he'll be charged at least expensive or recommended rate.

* Rated: If one poses an above risk, he might be grouped as 'increased risk' and so charged with excessive premiums. For instance, if someone is fifty years in age and has heart attack, the statistic can display life-expectancy to be reduced by 10 years. So, he'll need to pay premiums of 60 years old.

* Rejected: If someone is 'rated' as 'uninsurable' possibly due to serious illness, he might be rejected completely.

Remember that rating isn't permanent and if you take certain steps, your rating (if you've been rejected) could possibly increase during the time.

by: Don Smith.




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