Life Insurance Rates

It has been by now established that using the internet is the easiest way to shop for life insurance rates .  Generally, all you have to do to get free, accurate and instant life insurance rates from top companies like AIG, Banner West Coast Life, Transamerica, RBC Direct, ING, HSBC, MetLife and many others , is enter you zip code, desired amount, term length, height and weight, age and press enter.  Within seconds you will be able to get dozens of life insurance quotes.

For any of the resulting information to be useful, it must also be accurate.  The reason why life insurance rates aren't always accurate is not because life insurance companies pull a bait and switch, but because the description that most people provide of their health is at variance with how a life insurance company might describe it.  With millions of dollars at stake this is not something that life insurance companies take lightly. 

Let's face it: most people have a tendency to describe their health as better than it is.  But to get the most accurate preliminary rate before deciding to apply for life insurance you have to understand life insurance rating categories and where you are likely to fall in.  Most companies use four general categories:

• Preferred Plus (sometimes called Preferred Best)
• Preferred
• Standard
• Tobacco

Preferred Plus Life Insurance Rates:

If you fall in to the Preferred Best life insurance rating category, you will receive the best possible rate.  Realize ahead of time, however, that most people do not qualify for this category. You basically need to have perfect health, be within a certain range of height and weight, have good cholesterol and blood pressure ratings, not be taking any kind of medication, and not have any immediate family history of heart attack or stroke before the age of 65.  Additionally, there can be no history of drug or alcohol abuse, and the applicant cannot be engaged in any hazardous activity.

Preferred Life Insurance Rates:

There is some variabilty between differnt life insurance companies when it comes to defining both preferred and standard risks.  Generally, however, a person must be in excellent health to qualify for preferred life insurance rates.  Like preferred plus, one cannot be involved in hazardous activities whether on or off the worksite, and one must have cholesterol, weight and blood pressure within acceptable limits.

Standard Life Insurance Rates:

If you have had some medical problems in the past, if your cholesterol, blood pressure, or weight are less than idea, or if you engage in certain hazardous activities, or any combination of the above, this is probably the category you will qualify for.  One thing to keep in mind is that some of the risk factors that life insurance companies look at are within your control.  If, for example, you have high cholesterol but you bring it down for a certain period of time through diet and exercise, you may be able to qualify for a different life insurance rating category.  If you have improved your health over a certan course of time it may be time for you to get a fresh set of life insurance quotes.

Tobacco Life Insurance Rates:

This life insurance rating category is rather self-explanatory.  Mind, however, that cigarettes is only one form of tobacco.  If you smoke a pipe or cigar, or if you chew you will also fall into this category.

LIfe Insurance Agents

The best way to really know in advance which category you are likely going to fall in to is to speak to an experienced life insurance agent.  As long as they have accurate information from you, they should be able to tell very quickly which category you are likely to qualify for.  They should also be able to tell you can which life insurance companies are going to give you the best rate based on your particular situation (try to find agents who deal with at least 5 or more life insurance companies). 

Beyond Quotes strives to be a helpful resource for those who are interested in finding ways to save money of life, auto, home, health, business, and dental insurance.  Most people who do a good job of shopping for insurance can save 10 to 20 percent which is why it makes sense to take a moment or two to get a quote on the type of insurance you are looking for.  Where and whenever possible, Beyond Quotes provides quotes that are free, instant, accurate and comprehensive.

Life Insurance Rates (continued)

Preferred Plus Life Insurance Rates:

If you fall in to the Preferred Best life insurance rating category, you will receive the best possible rate.  Realize ahead of time, however, that most people do not qualify for this category. You basically need to have perfect health, be within a certain range of height and weight, have good cholesterol and blood pressure ratings, not be taking any kind of medication, and not have any immediate family history of heart attack or stroke before the age of 65.  Additionally, there can be no history of drug or alcohol abuse, and the applicant cannot be engaged in any hazardous activity.

Preferred Life Insurance Rates:

There is some variabilty between differnt life insurance companies when it comes to defining both preferred and standard risks.  Generally, however, a person must be in excellent health to qualify for preferred life insurance rates.  Like preferred plus, one cannot be involved in hazardous activities whether on or off the worksite, and one must have cholesterol, weight and blood pressure within acceptable limits.

Standard Life Insurance Rates:

If you have had some medical problems in the past, if your cholesterol, blood pressure, or weight are less than idea, or if you engage in certain hazardous activities, or any combination of the above, this is probably the category you will qualify for.  One thing to keep in mind is that some of the risk factors that life insurance companies look at are within your control.  If, for example, you have high cholesterol but you bring it down for a certain period of time through diet and exercise, you may be able to qualify for a different life insurance rating category.  If you have improved your health over a certan course of time it may be time for you to get a fresh set of life insurance quotes.

Tobacco Life Insurance Rates:

This life insurance rating category is rather self-explanatory.  Mind, however, that cigarettes is only one form of tobacco.  If you smoke a pipe or cigar, or if you chew you will also fall into this category.

LIfe Insurance Agents

The best way to really know in advance which category you are likely going to fall in to is to speak to an experienced life insurance agent.  As long as they have accurate information from you, they should be able to tell very quickly which category you are likely to qualify for.  They should also be able to tell you can which life insurance companies are going to give you the best rate based on your particular situation (try to find agents who deal with at least 5 or more life insurance companies). 

Beyond Quotes strives to be a helpful resource for those who are interested in finding ways to save money of life, auto, home, health, business, and dental insurance.  Most people who do a good job of shopping for insurance can save 10 to 20 percent which is why it makes sense to take a moment or two to get a quote on the type of insurance you are looking for.  Where and whenever possible, Beyond Quotes provides quotes that are free, instant, accurate and comprehensive.