Part of our guide: Impaired Risk Life Insurance Underwriting by Condition →
Asthma is common, affecting about 8% of U.S. adults, and it can make underwriting harder than it needs to be. With the right documentation, many asthmatic clients can still qualify for Preferred rates.
Key takeaways
- Underwriters judge asthma by severity, lung function testing, and treatment history, not the diagnosis alone.
- Spirometry values of 80% or more are generally considered normal.
- One carrier may offer Preferred to asthmatic clients who meet criteria such as no tobacco, no asthma hospitalization in five years, and normal spirometry.
Preferred is possible for clients with asthma — if their lung function tests are normal and they haven’t been hospitalized for it in five years.
How underwriters assess asthma
Asthma causes temporary narrowing of the airways, with symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Underwriters want to know how severe it is and how well it’s controlled. The key test is spirometry, a lung function test reported as a percentage of predicted values. Results of 80% or greater are generally considered normal.
Criteria that can support a Preferred offer
One of our carriers may consider Preferred for asthmatic clients who meet all of these:
- No tobacco use
- No asthma hospitalizations in the last five years, and no other significant ailments
- Normal spirometry for FVC (forced vital capacity) and FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second)
- Treatment limited to as-needed inhaled bronchodilators, brief courses of corticosteroids, or low-dose medication
- No time off work or school due to asthma
- No underwater or high-altitude avocations
- All other standard Preferred criteria met
What pushes an asthma case toward a rating
Recent hospitalizations or ER visits, daily oral steroid use, abnormal lung function, tobacco use, and asthma that interferes with work are the most common reasons for a rated offer. Knowing these in advance lets you set expectations and choose the right carrier.
How to prepare the case
Ask the client for recent spirometry results and a medication list, and note any hospitalizations with dates. Our Underwriting Team can pre-screen the details and tell you which carrier is likely to be most favorable before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
Does asthma increase life insurance premiums?
Not always. Mild, well-controlled asthma with normal lung function may qualify for Preferred with some carriers. Severe or poorly controlled asthma is more likely to be rated.
What is spirometry and why does it matter?
Spirometry measures how much air the lungs can hold and how quickly it can be exhaled. Results of 80% or more of predicted values are generally normal and support a better offer.
Do scuba diving or mountain climbing affect an asthma case?
They can. Some carriers require no underwater or high-altitude avocations to consider Preferred for an asthmatic client.
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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