When you are in the market for life insurance in CA, your premiums will depend on what is known as your “risk class”. These classifications are based on a number of factors, including:

1. Risk for cardiac disease – considered higher for smokers who have elevated blood pressure and cholesterol.

2. Personal and family medical history.

3. Height / weight profile.

4. Results from a medical exam.

5. Driving record.

6. Lifestyle and occupation, including whether risky activities are undertaken such as aviation, bungee jumping, scuba diving, or climbing Mt Everest!

Risk classes include:

Preferred Best – also known as Preferred Plus No Nicotine, Preferred Elite, and Super Preferred.  Whatever name this class goes by, it is the top one and only available to those who have top-ranking health such as low risk of disease genetically and through lifestyle, excellent current health and fitness, non-smoking and an excellent driving record.

Preferred No Nicotine or Preferred Non-Smoker – this is also a class for non-smokers in very good health, although perhaps at a slightly lower level than those in the top class.

Other classes, which include - Preferred Nicotine, Standard No Nicotine or Standard Plus, Standard Nicotine and Substandard.  Those in the lowest classes may still be able to secure life insurance, but the premiums will be higher. 

For good rates on life insurance in CA, it pays to keep any medical conditions you may have well-controlled, abstain from smoking and excessive drinking, lose weight if necessary and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Perhaps one or more of those is already on your New Year resolution list!

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