Life Insurance FundamentalsQuestion 377 of 716

An applicant with a significant but insurable health impairment will most likely be placed in which underwriting classification?

a.Standard
b.Guaranteed issue with no rating
c.Preferred
d.Substandard (rated)

Explanation

A substandard or 'rated' classification applies to an applicant who presents a higher-than-average risk but is still insurable; they are charged a higher (rated) premium to reflect the added risk. Preferred is reserved for the healthiest, lowest-risk applicants. Standard is for average risks. Guaranteed issue with no rating would ignore the impairment, which underwriting does not do for individually underwritten coverage. The rated premium lets the insurer cover a higher risk while keeping the pool fairly priced.

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Reviewed by John Zihao Zhang — California-Licensed Life Insurance Agent (CA Dept. of Insurance License #4396095 — verify)
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