8 habits that may influence your life insurance rate

Why life insurers look at your lifestyle habits

When you apply for life insurance, the company typically looks at your age, gender, medical history and lifestyle habits to understand their risk. They may use this information to help set your monthly cost, also called a premium, and estimate how likely they are to pay a future claim. Personal habits are especially useful for insurance companies to examine because they’re some of the biggest indicators of your long-term health and overall mortality risk.

Certain habits help signal a healthier lifestyle and lower risk profile, while others may indicate higher risk. In general, a lower risk profile helps lead to lower life insurance premiums. This is because policies that are projected to last longer typically result in lower costs.

Adopting healthy habits may improve your chances of getting approved and lead to more affordable life insurance. Below is a closer look at the healthy lifestyle choices your insurer may consider and how they relate to your long-term health.

1. Use of tobacco products and vaping

Most insurance companies will ask if you use tobacco products or vape. That’s because frequent use of tobacco and nicotine is often linked to cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure and shorter lifespans.

If you’re currently a smoker, quitting could help improve your chances of qualifying for life insurance and receiving a lower rate. If you continue to smoke, it’s important to tell your insurance company the truth. If your insurer finds out that you’re lying, your life insurance policy could be canceled, and you may not receive a refund for any of the benefits you paid for.

2. Alcohol consumption

Depending on your insurer’s underwriting process, the amount and frequency of alcohol you consume could affect both your eligibility and the rate you qualify for. That’s because higher alcohol intake may be linked to certain health concerns, including elevated cholesterol, liver disease and heart-related conditions. Making adjustments to your lifestyle choices may improve your life insurance qualifications.

3. Exercise

Regular exercise is often considered an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercising could help improve your cardiovascular health, support your mental well-being and promote better long-term health and longevity.

Habits that help lower the long-term risk of certain health conditions typically improve the rates you quality for. This could make coverage more affordable.

4. Eating habits

A balanced diet can support your physical and mental well-being. In turn, that may improve factors that life insurance companies generally review, such as weight, blood pressure and blood sugar. Healthy eating habits can also contribute to better long-term health, which may help you qualify for more favorable rates.

5. Weight management

Maintaining a healthy weight for your body can help show insurers that you make lifestyle choices that include regular exercise and a nutritious diet. Weight management may also help improve important health markers that are reviewed during a medical exam, such as cholesterol levels.

Remember, everyone’s body type is different. What may be a healthy weight for someone else may not be for you.

6. Regular doctor visits

Regular doctor visits are essential for early detection and prevention of health issues. They also help show insurers that any medical conditions or chronic illnesses such as diabetes are being supported by a medical professional.

Doctor visits could document any new healthy habits you adopt, as well. If you recently quit smoking, reached a healthy weight or reduced your alcohol intake, that may demonstrate to insurers that you have a lower risk profile.

7. Risky hobbies

What some people also might not know is that hobbies and activities are often asked about on life insurance applications. Avoiding high-risk activities such as skydiving could help lower your risk profile and improve your chances of getting a lower rate.

It may also help to demonstrate that you practice behaviors that reduce your risk of accidents and injury. These may include wearing a helmet when appropriate and following the speed limit.

8. Proper sleep

Though your insurer might not expect you to have a 9 o’clock bedtime, they may evaluate the outcomes related to proper sleep. Good sleep could help strengthen your overall health and improve certain lab results, such as blood pressure.

Being aware of the lifestyle habits insurance companies consider could help you decide when it’s best to apply for life insurance. It could also explain why the rate you qualify for may be different from that of one of your friends.

Yet, you don't need to reinvent your lifestyle before you apply. You could consider a few healthy habits to start with and go from there. To preview your available rates today, you can get a quick quote from TruStage®.