While life insurance companies each produce their own lists of “allowable” conditions, one well-known life insurer that we looked at allows these conditions in other rate classes:

Preferred No Nicotine
• Elevated blood pressure of about 145/90 or less
• LDL Cholesterol of 260 and LDL/HDL ratio of 5.5

Select No Nicotine

• Elevated blood pressure of about 150/92 or less
• LDL Cholesterol of 270 and LDL/HDL ratio of 6.5

Standard

• Asthma
• Depression
• Elevated blood pressure of about 150/95 or less
• LDL Cholesterol of 300 and LDL/HDL ratio of 7.9

Knowing that these factors affect your rates will reduce surprises in your life insurance shopping experience. Also, a good insurance agent will know which companies have better pricing for certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure. If you still fall into a pricier category than you anticipated, you can buy a policy and then ask the life insurance company to re-examine your rate if your health has improved for at least one full year.