Underwriting Archives - Page 3 of 4

Life Insurance With High Blood Pressure: Don’t Settle for Standard

September 25, 2026July 2, 2021 by Tim Fuller

Underwriter reviewing medical and financial data with a client during risk assessment

A single elevated blood pressure reading at the paramed exam can push an otherwise healthy client into a Standard class. Some carriers look more closely, and the difference in premium can be significant.

Key takeaways

Many carriers use around 140/90 as a key blood pressure threshold for their better rate classes.
A carrier with a more aggressive approach to controlled impairments may still offer Standard Plus above that level.
A 60-year-old woman with a 150/92 reading and no history of hypertension received Standard Plus on $1 million of permanent coverage.

A 150/92 reading at the exam — and the client still got Standard Plus on $1 million of permanent life.

Why one reading can cost a rate class

Blood pressure taken at an exam can run high because of nerves, caffeine, or a rushed appointment. Many carriers use around 140/90 as a threshold, so one elevated reading can drop a healthy client to Standard even with no history of hypertension.

Case study

60-year-old female non-smoker
No history of high blood pressure
Blood pressure at exam: 150/92
Applied for $1 million of permanent life insurance

Offer: Standard Plus.

How to protect the rate class

Schedule exams in the morning, remind clients to avoid caffeine and exercise beforehand, and gather readings from their doctor’s records to show the typical trend. If you’re quoting Standard for healthy clients, check whether a carrier would offer Standard Plus. Upgrade programs can also help when blood pressure is the only issue; see how one-class upgrades work.

Frequently asked questions

Does high blood pressure affect life insurance rates?

It can, but controlled or isolated high readings often have a modest effect, and some carriers treat them more favorably than others.

What blood pressure do life insurers want?

Thresholds vary by carrier and rate class. Many use around 140/90 as a key cutoff, with stricter limits for their best classes.

Can my client retake the blood pressure reading?

Some carriers will consider additional readings or the client’s medical records. Ask us before the exam about the best approach.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

Tim leads SRS Inc., a full-service IMO (Independent Marketing Organization) and BGA (Brokerage General Agency), connecting independent financial professionals with life, annuity, disability income, and long-term care solutions from 60+ carrier partners.

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Field Underwriting: Quote the Right Rate Class the First Time

September 25, 2026June 4, 2021 by Tim Fuller

Many applications are quoted at a rate class the client never had a chance of getting. When the real offer comes back higher, the policy often isn’t taken. A little pre-underwriting up front prevents most of that.

Key takeaways

Quoting an unrealistic rate class is one of the biggest causes of not-taken policies.
Spending two or three days pre-underwriting beats losing two or three weeks restarting with another carrier.
Fact finders that collect medical and family history at the first meeting make accurate quoting simple.

Two or three extra days to find the right carrier and rate class beats two or three weeks of restarting a closed file.

The cost of an inaccurate quote

When a client is shown Preferred pricing and receives Standard or a table rating, trust drops and the case often ends as not taken. Closing a file and starting over with another carrier can add weeks and sometimes loses the sale entirely.

Why pre-underwriting sets you apart

Online tools and competing producers push the lowest possible rates to get attention. You stand out by explaining that you gather medical and family history first so the price you show is one the client can actually get. Presenting a summary of realistic carrier offers shows clients you’re working in their interest.

Tools that make it easy

We offer one-page impairment fact finders and talking points to collect the right medical details at the first meeting. Our specialists can then help you quote and qualify the case before you take an application. Knowing what the underwriter will ask also helps; see how to answer underwriters’ questions before they ask.

Frequently asked questions

What is field underwriting?

The information-gathering an advisor does before applying, collecting medical, family, and financial details so the case can be quoted at a realistic rate class.

How does field underwriting improve placement ratios?

Accurate quotes mean fewer surprises when the offer comes back, so more policies are accepted and fewer files are closed.

Does SRS provide fact finders?

Yes. We offer one-page impairment fact finders and talking points to help collect the details needed for accurate quotes.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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Impaired-Risk Niches: Where Some Carriers Say Yes When Others Say No

September 25, 2026May 21, 2021 by Tim Fuller

Every carrier has underwriting strengths. Knowing them is the difference between a decline and a placed case. Here are niches our carriers have offered that routinely surprise advisors.

Key takeaways

Some carriers can issue coverage immediately after treatment for early-stage prostate or breast cancer.
Others offer non-smoker rates for regular cigar, pipe, or chew users, or Preferred Non-Smoker for regular marijuana users.
Preferred Best may be possible with total cholesterol up to 300, treated depression, or CPAP-treated sleep apnea.

A decline at one carrier can be a Preferred offer at another. The difference is knowing each carrier’s niche.

Niches our carriers have offered

Coverage right after treatment for early-stage prostate and breast cancer
Preferred Non-Smoker rates for regular marijuana users
Up to $3 million of term or permanent coverage with no exam, still at Super Preferred rates for healthy clients
Standard or better for Type 2 diabetes
Preferred classes for overweight clients
Preferred Best with total cholesterol up to 300
Preferred Best for clients treated for depression
Preferred or better for sleep apnea treated with nightly CPAP
Non-smoker rates for regular cigar, pipe, or chewing tobacco users, even with a positive nicotine test, at specific carriers

Niches change as carriers update guidelines; confirm before quoting.

How to use them

Pre-screen impaired-risk cases with our Underwriting Team before choosing a carrier. More examples in conditions that can still qualify for Preferred and one carrier’s underwriting strengths.

Frequently asked questions

What is an underwriting niche?

A carrier guideline that treats a specific condition or lifestyle factor more favorably than most competitors.

Can cigar smokers get non-smoker life insurance rates?

Some carriers offer non-smoker rates for occasional or even regular cigar use, depending on their guidelines.

Can someone treated for depression get Preferred Best?

At some carriers, yes, if the condition is well controlled.

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Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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The Two Numbers in Financial Underwriting: Coverage Amount and Premium Affordability

September 25, 2026May 18, 2021 by Tim Fuller

Financial underwriting comes down to two questions: is the amount of coverage justified, and can the client afford the premium? Understanding both helps you design cases that sail through.

Key takeaways

Carriers don’t want a client worth more dead than alive, so coverage must match a documented need.
A common guideline limits premium to about 20% of annual income without additional justification.
For retirees funding coverage with RMDs, carriers often justify amounts using net worth rather than earned income.

Carriers ask two things: is the coverage amount justified, and does the premium leave enough to live on?

Number 1: the amount of coverage

Carriers worry about over-insurance, which is associated with higher mortality. The most common justification is income replacement, based on age and earned income. See income multiples by age. Business and estate needs use different formulas.

Number 2: the premium

Carriers also don’t want premiums crowding out living expenses. Without special justification, a common limit is about 20% of annual income, sometimes lower. This rarely matters for younger clients buying term, but it can for large permanent cases.

When both matter: RMD-funded cases

Clients who use required minimum distributions (which now generally begin at age 73) to buy coverage for heirs have no earned income. Most carriers justify the amount as a percentage of net worth, then confirm the RMDs aren’t needed for living expenses. See using RMDs in life sales and IRA legacy planning after the SECURE Act.

Frequently asked questions

How much life insurance premium can I afford according to underwriters?

Many carriers use about 20% of annual income as a guideline, with exceptions for justified cases.

How do retirees justify life insurance coverage?

Usually based on net worth and the purpose, such as estate planning, rather than earned income.

Why do insurers limit how much coverage I can buy?

Over-insurance is linked to higher mortality risk, so carriers require coverage to match a genuine financial need.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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How A1C and Diabetic Control Affect Life Insurance Ratings

September 25, 2026May 7, 2021 by Tim Fuller

In a diabetes case, one number tells underwriters more than any other: the A1C, which reflects average blood sugar over about three months. How good it is, and how consistent it’s been, can move a case several rate classes.

Key takeaways

A1C measures average blood sugar over roughly three months; lower and more stable is better.
Underwriters look at the trend across multiple readings, not a single result.
A 75-year-old Type 2 diabetic with A1C averaging 7.0 or better received a Preferred offer.

Diagnosed 10 years ago, A1C averaging 7.0 or better, age 75 — and the offer was Preferred.

Why A1C matters

Diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and nerve and eye damage, are closely tied to long-term blood sugar control. A1C is the best single measure of that control, so underwriters rely on it heavily alongside type, age at diagnosis, treatment, and complications.

What underwriters look for

Several A1C readings over time, not just the most recent
A stable or improving trend
Readings close to the target set by the client’s doctor
No complications

Thresholds vary by carrier and rate class.

Examples

Type 2, age 75: diagnosed 10 years ago, A1C averaging 7.0 or better, 5’10” and 207 lbs, blood pressure 143/90, cholesterol 270 with a 6.0 ratio: Preferred.
Type 2, age 50+: excellent control with diet and oral medication, no complications: Standard Plus possible.
Type 1, over 50: excellent control, no complications: Table B possible.

See the diabetes underwriting guide and Type 1 diabetes.

Frequently asked questions

What A1C is good for life insurance?

Carriers set their own thresholds, but readings near the doctor’s target and stable over time get the best offers. Some well-controlled cases around 7.0 have received Preferred.

Do underwriters look at more than one A1C reading?

Yes. They prefer several readings over time to see the trend.

Can a diabetic get Preferred life insurance rates?

Occasionally, especially older Type 2 diabetics with excellent long-term control and no complications.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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Life Insurance for Adventure Hobbies: Removing Avocation Flat Extras

September 25, 2026April 23, 2021 by Tim Fuller

Mountain climbing, scuba diving, auto racing, and private aviation can all add a flat extra to a client’s premium. Some carriers now have programs that can remove it for experienced, careful participants.

Key takeaways

High-risk hobbies (avocations) are often rated with a flat extra charge per $1,000 of coverage.
One upgrade program can remove flat extras of up to $2.50 per $1,000 for certain avocations, on term and permanent plans.
An experienced 37-year-old climber went from a $2.00 permanent flat extra to Standard Non-Tobacco with no flat extra.

Initial offer: a $2.00 per $1,000 permanent flat extra. After the upgrade program: Standard Non-Tobacco, no flat extra.

How avocations are underwritten

Carriers rate risky hobbies based on the activity, the client’s experience, frequency, and specifics such as altitude, depth, or type of aircraft. The usual result is a flat extra: a fixed charge per $1,000 of coverage added to the premium, sometimes for the life of the policy.

The upgrade program

One carrier’s upgrade program may remove a flat extra of up to $2.50 per $1,000 for certain avocation scenarios. It’s available on both term and permanent plans.

Case study: an experienced climber

37-year-old male non-smoker seeking $1 million of term
Healthy, with normal build, blood pressure, and cholesterol; no adverse family history
12 years of trail, rock, and mountain climbing; climbs only in groups
4–5 climbs a year in the Pacific Northwest; highest elevation 13,000 feet
Climbing difficulty YDS class 5.0–5.4

Initial assessment: a $2.00 per $1,000 permanent flat extra. Under the program: Standard Non-Tobacco, no flat extra.

How to present an avocation case

Complete the carrier’s avocation questionnaire in detail: years of experience, frequency, certifications, and safety practices such as climbing with a group or diving with a buddy. The more specific the answers, the better the chance of a favorable decision. Our Underwriting Team can tell you which carriers treat each activity best.

Frequently asked questions

Does rock climbing affect life insurance rates?

It can. Carriers may add a flat extra depending on the type of climbing, altitude, and experience. Some programs can remove it for experienced climbers.

What is a flat extra on a life insurance policy?

An additional charge per $1,000 of coverage, added to the premium for a set period or permanently, to cover a specific extra risk such as a hobby or occupation.

Which hobbies can cause a life insurance rating?

Common examples include mountain climbing, scuba diving, auto racing, private aviation, and skydiving.

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Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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Case Placement: Postponed for Anemia, Placed at Standard

September 25, 2026April 16, 2021 by Tim Fuller

A postponement can feel like a dead end, but it often just means the underwriter needs more information. In this case, two documents turned a postponed $1 million case into a Standard offer.

Key takeaways

Postponements often signal missing information rather than an unacceptable risk.
Asking the carrier underwriter what they need to make an offer can reveal a clear path forward.
A doctor’s letter on the cause of anemia and a new normal CBC turned this case from postponed to Standard.

Informally postponed for severe anemia. After a doctor’s letter and a normal blood count: Standard, and a placed case.

The case

71-year-old female replacing $1 million of guaranteed universal life
Informally postponed because recent labs in her medical records showed severe anemia

What the underwriter needed

We discussed the case with the carrier’s underwriter, who explained how to repackage it for an offer:

A letter from the client’s doctor explaining the cause of the anemia
A current, favorable CBC (complete blood count)

The outcome

Her doctor identified the cause as iron deficiency. She started iron supplements, the anemia resolved, and a new CBC came back normal. With the updated evidence, the carrier offered Standard and the case was placed.

The lesson for advisors

An unexplained lab result is a question mark; an explained and resolved one often isn’t a problem at all. When a case is postponed, ask what would change the decision. We do this on every difficult case. See another example where a declined LTC rider was approved on reconsideration.

Frequently asked questions

Can you get life insurance with anemia?

Often, yes. Underwriters want to know the cause. Anemia from a treatable cause, such as iron deficiency, that has resolved may have little effect on the offer.

What does a postponed life insurance application mean?

The carrier won’t make an offer yet, usually because a condition needs more time or information. It isn’t the same as a decline.

What is a CBC?

A complete blood count, a routine blood test that measures red and white blood cells and platelets, used to check for conditions like anemia.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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The NT-proBNP Test: How a Good Result Can Earn Underwriting Credit

September 25, 2026April 9, 2021 by Tim Fuller

The NT-proBNP blood test is now a routine part of many insurance lab panels, especially for older applicants. An abnormal result can derail a case, but a favorable one can help.

Key takeaways

NT-proBNP is a marker of cardiovascular risk and long-term mortality, released when the heart is under strain.
Some carriers decline or require a cardiac work-up when the result is abnormal.
One carrier uses a normal result as a credit for applicants 70 and older, lifting a 75-year-old with a past TIA from mild substandard to Standard.

A normal NT-proBNP turned a mild substandard offer into Standard for a 75-year-old with a prior mini-stroke.

What the test measures

NT-proBNP is released by the heart when it’s working too hard: when it isn’t pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs, is short of oxygen, or the main heart muscle is enlarged. It’s a marker for overall cardiovascular risk and long-term mortality in people with heart disease.

When the result is abnormal

An abnormal result on an insurance lab panel can lead some carriers to decline automatically, or to require an additional cardiac work-up at the applicant’s expense before reconsidering.

When the result is favorable

One of our A-rated carriers uses a favorable result as an underwriting credit for applicants age 70 and older.

Male, age 75, non-smoker, seeking $500,000 of UL
History of a TIA (mini-stroke) three years ago, followed closely by his doctor
Insurance labs showed an NT-proBNP of 55 (normal)

Normally a mild substandard rating; with the credit, Standard.

Why it matters for older clients

For senior applicants, good lab results can offset history that would otherwise be rated. Ask our Underwriting Team which carriers credit favorable labs before you choose where to submit. For another senior cardiac case, see Standard at 72 with coronary artery disease.

Frequently asked questions

What is NT-proBNP on a life insurance blood test?

A marker the heart releases when it’s under strain. Insurers use it to assess cardiovascular risk, especially for older applicants.

What happens if NT-proBNP is high on an insurance exam?

Some carriers decline or ask for further cardiac testing. Others may still consider the case, so it’s worth shopping.

Can a good NT-proBNP improve a life insurance offer?

Yes. One carrier uses a normal result as a credit for applicants 70 and older, which can improve the rate class.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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Wellness Credits: How Healthy Habits Can Improve a Life Insurance Rating

September 25, 2026April 2, 2021 by Tim Fuller

Clients who take care of their health should get credit for it. One top carrier’s wellness program does exactly that, automatically upgrading qualifying clients by up to one rate class.

Key takeaways

The program is open to all ages and face amounts on most of the carrier’s products.
Qualifying clients can move up one class, including from Preferred to Preferred Plus, and substandard ratings can improve too.
Criteria include healthy BMI, low untreated blood pressure, favorable family history, up-to-date screenings, and excellent A1C.

Healthy habits can move a client up a full rate class — from Preferred to Preferred Plus, or out of a table rating.

How the program works

The carrier reviews lifestyle and health markers during underwriting. Clients who meet the criteria may be credited up to one classification, whether moving from Preferred to Preferred Plus or improving a substandard rating.

Sample criteria

BMI between 22 and 29 (ages 18+)
Untreated blood pressure below 120/80
No coronary artery disease, diabetes, or cancer in parents or siblings before age 60, or both parents living to 75+
Normal routine screenings (colonoscopy, mammogram, pap smear, CBC, skin checks) within the last three years
Hemoglobin A1C between 5.0 and 5.5 in the last 12 months

Program details can change; confirm current criteria with our team.

Related programs

Other carriers use different credit approaches; see lifestyle and fitness credits and one-class upgrade programs.

Frequently asked questions

What are wellness credits in life insurance?

Credits some carriers apply for healthy habits and test results, which can improve a client’s rate class.

Can a healthy lifestyle lower my life insurance premium?

Yes. With some carriers, favorable BMI, blood pressure, screenings, and lab results can move you up a rate class.

Do up-to-date cancer screenings help life insurance?

At some carriers, normal routine screenings within the last three years count toward wellness credits.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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The Underwriting Cover Letter: What to Include and Why It Matters

September 25, 2026March 26, 2021 by Tim Fuller

By the time an application reaches the carrier’s underwriter, it has passed through the advisor, their staff, a brokerage case manager, and the carrier’s new business team. A short cover letter makes sure the underwriter still gets the full story.

Key takeaways

The application’s brief answers rarely give an underwriter the whole picture on a large or unusual case.
A cover letter should explain the purpose, how the face amount was set, and the relationships between owner, insured, beneficiary, and payer.
SRS can help draft and submit the cover letter for you.

The application answers what. The cover letter answers why — and that’s what underwriters need on complex cases.

Why cover letters prevent problems

Every hand an application passes through is a chance for context to get lost. Unexplained details lead to delays, extra requirements, and sometimes declines. A clear, concise cover letter answers the underwriter’s questions before they’re asked.

What to include

The purpose of the coverage, stated fully
How the face amount was determined
The relationships among the owner, insured, beneficiaries, and premium payer
All in-force and applied-for coverage on the insured and on other family members or key people
Supporting documents available on request, such as trusts, financial statements, or business agreements
Anything that might raise a question, such as coverage above standard financial guidelines

Keep it short and clear

It doesn’t need to be long, just clear. A few paragraphs covering the points above is usually enough. See a real example of what happens when the purpose of an $8 million case isn’t explained.

Let us help

Our team regularly drafts and submits cover letters for advisors. Send us the details and we’ll put it together.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a cover letter for a life insurance application?

It’s not required, but it’s strongly recommended for large, business, estate, or unusual cases where the application alone doesn’t explain the need.

What should an underwriting cover letter include?

The purpose of coverage, how the amount was determined, relationships among owner, insured, beneficiary, and payer, other coverage in force, and available documentation.

Can SRS write the cover letter for me?

Yes. Our team can draft and submit it with your case.

50+ Years in Business60+ Top-Rated Carriers★★★★★ Rated by Advisors

Reviewed by Tim Fuller on 2026-09-25

Tim Fuller

President, SRS Inc.

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Life Insurance With High Blood Pressure: Don’t Settle for Standard

Why one reading can cost a rate class

Case study

How to protect the rate class

Frequently asked questions

Tim Fuller

We’re Here to Help

The cost of an inaccurate quote

Why pre-underwriting sets you apart

Tools that make it easy

Frequently asked questions

Tim Fuller

We’re Here to Help

Tim Fuller

We’re Here to Help

Tim Fuller

Tim Fuller

Tim Fuller

Tim Fuller

Tim Fuller

Tim Fuller

Tim Fuller