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Term Life Insurance Rates
By: Gary Tallon
Term life insurance rates are currently at a historically low level. Increased
competition in the life insurance marketplace, together with easier access to
term life insurance products over the Internet has meant that life insurance is
now very affordable for most. Insurance rates of £5 per month are being banded
around by some term life insurance companies, making life insurance one of the
cheapest forms of insurance to buy at the present time.
However, despite term life insurance rates being very competitive, those who do
decide to shop around in search of the best term life insurance deal may find
that they are ineligible for the lowest insurance rates. This is because the
rates for term life insurance are calculated specifically upon risk. If you are
deemed to be at a high risk of dying in the early years of a term life insurance
policy then your insurance rates will be higher than for those who are
categorised as being at a low risk of death during this period.
How your 'risk' is calculated is rather dependent upon your health and lifestyle
choices. Should you be in poor health or participate in a dangerous sport then
the life company is likely to see your risk level as high, and so quote you high
life insurance rates. Conversely, if you are a healthy young non-smoker in a
stress free job who does not participate in any dangerous sports, a 'low risk'
tag will be attached to your name, allowing you to benefit from some of the
lowest rates available.
Factors that influence term life insurance rates
The factors that influence term life insurance rates are extensive. Here are
just a few factors that can tip the balance when it comes to a life insurance
company issuing you with competitive term life insurance rates: -
Smoking
Smoking has a major influence on the rates of term life insurance. Smokers are
at a high risk from contracting lung cancer and from developing breathing
disorders, all of which can lead to an early grave. Recent research on life
insurance rates suggest that a 35-year old male who smokes could save 51% on the
cost of term life insurance if he was to quit smoking.
Obesity
Obesity is a growing problem in developed nations. Too many of us are eating the
wrong foods and not exercising enough, putting us at risk of dying young. Term
life insurance companies penalise overweight people by increasing insurance
rates, as they are seen as being at a greater risk than those who eat a balanced
diet and exercise regularly.
Hereditary Disease
Susceptibility to potentially life threatening illnesses passed down through the
family line are penalised too by term life insurance companies. If you are
medically confirmed as being at a higher risk of contracting a life threatening
illness because of family history then your term life rates will be higher.
Environmental Factors
Exposure to abnormal doses of x-rays, asbestos or other substances that are
conducive to poor health later in life will attract high term life rates.
About the Author:
Gary Tallon is a UK finance author with over 10 years of journalistic experience
behind him. To read some more of his wisdom visit his personal loans & life insurance blogs.
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