Part of our guide: Impaired Risk Life Insurance Underwriting by Condition →
Cholesterol itself isn’t bad; the body needs it. What matters to many underwriters is the balance between good and bad cholesterol. Some carriers now look only at the ratio, and that can mean best-class rates for clients with high total cholesterol, even those on medication.
Key takeaways
- HDL is “good” cholesterol and LDL is “bad”; the total cholesterol-to-HDL ratio is a key risk indicator.
- One carrier ignores total cholesterol (up to 300) and uses only the ratio.
- Clients taking cholesterol medication can still qualify for Preferred classes with favorable ratios.
Total cholesterol of 298 and no medication — but a 5.0 ratio earned Preferred Best on $2 million.
Understanding the ratio
The cholesterol/HDL ratio is total cholesterol divided by HDL. Higher HDL drives the ratio down, which indicates lower heart disease risk. Many underwriters find the ratio more predictive than total cholesterol alone.
Ratio-only underwriting
One of our A+ carriers no longer considers total cholesterol, up to a maximum of 300, and reviews only the ratio. Other top carriers use similar approaches. Cholesterol medications such as statins, when they produce good results, generally aren’t a barrier. See high cholesterol cases for more.
Examples
- Male, 45, non-smoker, $2 million term: cholesterol 298, ratio 5.0, no medication: Preferred Best.
- Female, 60, non-smoker, $1 million UL: cholesterol 275, ratio 6.0, on cholesterol medication: Preferred.
- Male, 52, non-smoker, $500,000 term: cholesterol 260, ratio 7.0, on medication: Non-Smoker Plus.
Frequently asked questions
Does taking a statin affect life insurance rates?
Not necessarily. Many carriers focus on the results, and well-controlled cholesterol on medication can still qualify for Preferred.
What cholesterol ratio do life insurers want?
It varies by carrier and class, but lower is better. Some carriers offer best rates with ratios around 5.0.
Do life insurers look at total cholesterol or HDL?
Many look at both, but some focus only on the cholesterol/HDL ratio, up to a total cholesterol cap.
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.
Connect on LinkedIn →We’re Here to Help
Have a question about what you just read, or a case you’re working on? Tell us a bit about what you need, and a member of the SRS team will follow up with you personally — no obligation, no hassle.
