Wheeling, IL (PressExposure) October 29, 2010 -- An individual’s life insurance rate is determined by a number of factors that affect their risk of death at any given time. For that reason, any severe health condition that affects a person’s life expectancy will result in higher life insurance premiums. AccuQuote, a leader in providing term life insurance quotes to people across the United States, reveals the most expensive health conditions for consumers seeking life insurance protection.

“Term life insurance, by nature, is extremely inexpensive for the value it provides. However, advertisements illustrating term life insurance for $1 per day usually only apply to young and healthy individuals,” says Byron Udell, founder and CEO of AccuQuote. “The truth is, even though life insurance is one of the most affordable financial products available, it will be more expensive for those with severe health risks.”

The following health conditions rank most expensive for consumers seeking life insurance protection:

1. Heart Disease – Heart disease is the most expensive health condition when it comes to life insurance premiums. Why? Unfortunately, damage done to the heart is sometimes irreversible and it can significantly reduce a person’s life expectancy. There are many controllable factors that cause heart disease, such as smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, inactivity, obesity, diabetes and stress. According to the Surgeon General, smoking is the leading cause of ‘preventable death’ in the United States. “By just quitting smoking, you can prevent heart disease and save on your life insurance,” says Byron Udell, founder and CEO of AccuQuote.
2. Diabetes – Life insurance rates depend on the type of diabetes and how well the diabetes is controlled. Individuals who developed diabetes at a very young age may have a more difficult time finding affordable coverage than those who were diagnosed as an adult. Rates also depend on how, or if, the diabetes is controlled through oral medication or insulin.
3. Cancer – Cancer comes in many shapes, sizes and severities. Life insurance rates will vary depending on the type of cancer, when it was diagnosed, when treatment ended and if treatment was successful. For instance, those with minor forms of skin cancer, as long as it was diagnosed and treated early, will not pay as much for life insurance as those with a history of breast cancer. In many cases, life insurance carriers will require that those with more severe cases of cancer postpone their application for five to 10 years after the cancer was treated to ensure a successful completion. Individuals with stage 4 cancer will likely be uninsurable.
4. Obesity – Obesity can affect an individual’s quality of life and life expectancy. Many people who are obese also have many other health conditions, such as heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypertension and diabetes. On the other hand, some people who carry extra weight are in excellent overall health. “The key to finding affordable life insurance when you’re obese is to shop around,” says Udell. “Life insurance companies set different standards for what they consider healthy.”
5. Pulmonary Disease – Individuals with severe cases of pulmonary disease may be deemed uninsurable. However, minor conditions such as asthma will vary. Seasonal or sports-induced asthma will likely not have a large impact on life insurance rates. Severe asthma, diagnosed at a young age, may affect life insurance rates because it can lead to chronic bronchitis or even emphysema.

Licensed life insurance agents, like the ones at AccuQuote, have access to dozens of life insurance carrier guidelines. “Where one carrier may charge you a flat extra for having a certain illness, another carrier may deem you healthy and charge you less,” says Udell. “That’s why it’s extremely important to keep looking if you’re not satisfied with the rate offered the first time.”

About AccuQuote

AccuQuote helps consumers find the best values in term life insurance by combining instant life insurance quotes online with the personal service of unbiased, licensed life insurance professionals who will answer questions, identify important issues and make meaningful recommendations. The company offers consumers an extensive selection of life insurance options, including term life, whole life, universal life, long-term care, disability and selected annuities. The website has many handy life insurance tools, including a term life insurance calculator to help consumers determine their life insurance needs, a glossary that explains industry terminology, a collection of articles and press releases that cover life insurance and personal finance and a blog that provides opportunities for discussion on various insurance and financial topics. For additional information or to get free quotes for low cost life insurance, call AccuQuote at 800-442-9899.

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