High cholesterol is one of the most common things life insurance underwriters see, and on its own it rarely keeps anyone from getting good coverage. Many people with high cholesterol, including people taking a statin, still qualify for Preferred or even the best available rates.
What surprises most people is that carriers usually care more about your cholesterol ratio than your total cholesterol number. And just like with blood pressure, every company draws its lines differently. That’s why we compare your numbers against more than 40 carriers before you apply.
The Number That Matters Most: Your Cholesterol Ratio
Your cholesterol ratio is your total cholesterol divided by your HDL (“good”) cholesterol. For example:
- Total cholesterol of 240 with an HDL of 60 = a ratio of 4.0
- Total cholesterol of 200 with an HDL of 35 = a ratio of 5.7
The first person has the higher total cholesterol, but the much better ratio, and would usually get the better rate class. A healthy HDL can make up for a total number that looks high on paper.
What Underwriters Look At
- Your ratio. For most carriers, this is the main factor for your rate class.
- Your total cholesterol. Most carriers also set a ceiling, usually somewhere between 220 and 300 for their better classes. That’s a wide range, so the right carrier matters.
- Medication. Nearly every carrier accepts cholesterol medication at every rate class, as long as your numbers are controlled. A few hold back their best classes from applicants on treatment.
- Your age. Many carriers allow higher ratios after age 70.
- The whole picture. Some carriers score cholesterol together with your other health factors, like blood pressure, build, and family history, so strong numbers in one area can offset another.
One thing that surprises people: very low cholesterol isn’t always a plus. Several carriers treat an untreated total cholesterol below about 120 to 130 as a flag that needs a closer look.
What Qualifies for Each Rate Class
These are typical ranges across the carriers we work with. Each company draws its lines a little differently, and guidelines change over time.
| Rate class | Typical cholesterol ratio | Typical total cholesterol limit |
|---|---|---|
| Best class (Preferred Plus / Super Preferred) | About 4.5 to 5.0 or lower | About 220 to 300, depending on the carrier |
| Preferred | About 5.0 to 6.0 | About 230 to 300 |
| Standard Plus | About 6.0 to 7.0 | About 260 to 300 |
Numbers above these ranges usually mean Standard rates or a higher premium, not a decline.
A Real Example: Two Hundredths of a Point
We recently helped a 40-year-old nurse practitioner who wanted $1 million of term coverage and compared 20- and 30-year options. He was in excellent shape: a healthy build, normal blood pressure, physically active, and he’d never used tobacco. His only health issue was high cholesterol, which he treats with medication.
His recent labs showed a total cholesterol of 190 and an HDL of 42, a ratio of 4.52.
That tiny number was the whole story. Most carriers cap their best rate class at a ratio of 4.5, and underwriting is very black and white about it: you either fit the guideline or you don’t. At 4.52, he missed that cutoff by two hundredths of a point, which meant most insurers would automatically place him in Preferred instead of their best class.
Because we knew exactly where each carrier draws that line, we went to an insurer whose best class allows a slightly higher ratio. The result was 22% savings on his premium compared with the offers he would have gotten elsewhere, for the same coverage and the same health history.
Common Misconceptions
“Taking a statin will hurt my rates.” For nearly every carrier, it won’t. Controlled cholesterol on medication is generally treated the same as naturally good numbers.
“My total cholesterol is over 240, so I can’t get Preferred.” Not necessarily. Many carriers allow 260 to 300 at Preferred if your ratio is good.
“All insurers look at cholesterol the same way.” They don’t. The difference between carriers on cholesterol can easily be a full rate class.
3 Steps to Take Before You Apply
- Know your numbers. Ask your doctor for your most recent total cholesterol and HDL so we can figure your ratio.
- Stay on your treatment plan. If you’re on medication, stable, controlled numbers are what underwriters want to see.
- Let us shop it first. We’ll match your ratio and total cholesterol to the carriers most likely to give you their best rate class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get life insurance with high cholesterol?
Yes. High cholesterol is very common, and most people with it qualify for coverage, many at Preferred or best-class rates.
What cholesterol ratio do I need for the best life insurance rates?
Most carriers’ best classes require a ratio of about 4.5 to 5.0 or lower. Preferred usually allows up to about 5.0 to 6.0.
Do statins affect life insurance rates?
Usually not. Nearly every carrier accepts cholesterol medication at every rate class if your numbers are controlled.
Does the insurance company test my cholesterol?
Often, yes. If your policy requires a paramedical exam, it usually includes a blood test that measures total cholesterol and HDL. Some policies use your medical records instead of an exam.
Talk to Us Before You Apply
The right carrier can be the difference between Standard and Preferred rates for the same cholesterol numbers. Call (205) 578-2097 or contact us for a free, no-obligation comparison. Send us your latest numbers, and we’ll tell you which carriers are likely to offer your best rate class before you apply. See how insurers look at other common health conditions.