| Family History
Family history of cancer and heart disease is considered by almost all companies in
determining your underwriting category. A few companies will consider other diseases,
such as stroke or diabetes.
Death of a parent before age 60 is a common benchmark for downgrading your underwriting
category. For the most preferred category, most companies will not even allow an
occurrence before age 60.
Underwriting Example
The chart at the right shows how one company treats family history in determining your
life insurance premium. This factor is treated quite differently by companies, so you
should shop around.
|
| Family History |
| Category |
Maximum |
| Pref. Plus |
No family member with
heart disease, cancer, or diabetes
before age 60. |
| Preferred |
No two family members with
heart disease, cancer, or diabetes
before age 60. |
| Std. Plus |
No two family members died
from heart disease, cancer, or diabetes
before age 60. |
| Standard |
No two family members died
from heart disease, cancer, or diabetes
before age 60. |
|
