Applying for life insurance involves undergoing evaluation for risks to determine your rates and benefits. Key factors include age, gender, health, and lifestyle. While individuals who have health issues and participate in dangerous activities are considered high risk, they still have options.

Everyone can benefit from a life insurance plan in some way if it's the right plan customized for an individual. Regardless of your age, you can find a plan within your budget that provides coverage in the event you are unable to earn a living due to an illness or accident. Insurers view high-risk individuals as those who engage in activities that are potentially physically dangerous or harmful to health.

Why Life Insurance for High-risk Applicants Is Expensive

Every insurer calculates premiums based on a list of risk factors, which is unique for each individual. It's best to customize your policy if you engage in adventurous activities that increase your odds of a hospital visit. The higher risks you pose to the insurer, the more you'll pay for your monthly premium. For example, you will likely pay higher than average costs if you regularly participate in ice hockey or motorcycle racing.

Your insurer will interview you and evaluate the risks that you pose to them in terms of accident history and risky lifestyle. The more claims you've filed in the past, the more you may end up paying for a basic plan. If you are supporting a family with dependents, you need to consider lowering your risks and prioritize care for your loved ones, as frequent accident claims could affect future benefits.

Lowering Your Risks

The state of your physical and mental health plays an essential role in shaping your insurance rates. Patients diagnosed with cancer are in the high-risk group when it comes to life insurance. The same is true with patients suffering from heart disease, dementia, and HIV/AIDS. Yet, there are other options available, so make sure to talk with an insurance professional.

A life insurance policy generally pays greater benefits to beneficiaries if the policyholder leads a low-risk lifestyle. There are many ways to lower risks at home and in the workplace in ways that can help cut insurance costs. While no one should work while they are ill, you may get a break in costs if you are generally healthy and take very few days off from work. You can lower health risks by avoiding junk food, cigarettes, and overconsumption of alcohol. Replacing high-risk sports with safer activities also helps.

Think about Your Family's Future

Despite the increased costs for higher risks, life insurance is generally less expensive than most people think. It's worth the investment because it helps you sleep better at night, knowing your family will be taken care of in the event you are unable to work and earn income.

Having a little bit of life insurance is better than none, as term life insurance is a common choice for people who want inexpensive plans that may cover most of their needs. Moreover, you have the option to choose the duration of your policy. A more expensive plan that works more like an investment fund is permanent life insurance, which allows you to grow cash value over your lifetime.

Life insurance can be simple or complex. It's simple when your risks are low but gets more complicated if you participate in high-risk hobbies. A permanent life insurance plan provides the most coverage, options, and return on investment, while term life works better for people who aim for cost savings and convenience.

If you are looking for an experienced agency offering life insurance near you, contact our experts at East End Insurance Agency today. We are here to assist you with all your coverage needs.