Underwriting Fit Preview
Answer ten questions about your health or a client's profile. The preview returns the rate class illustrations for that profile, carriers worth discussing, and what could affect underwriting. Your answers stay in your browser.
Use the preview for yourself or an advisor’s client. For a personal review, submit a separate quote request; your preview answers are not transferred.
Request life insurance quotesWhat treated sleep apnea can mean for life underwriting
Treated sleep apnea does not by itself determine eligibility or a rate class. The carrier guides reviewed for this tool consider severity, treatment adherence, remaining symptoms, and the rest of the health history. A current CPAP compliance report can help a carrier assess a treated case. The preview asks about treatment but cannot review that report or the full medical record, so its class illustration is not an offer.
Before a formal application, we can discuss an unnamed profile and ask carriers for preliminary guidance where available. That feedback remains tentative until the carrier completes its review. Discuss a health profile.
Why the first carrier can matter as much as the health facts
Carrier guidelines can treat the same history differently. A client with well-controlled type 2 diabetes might receive a different class at two carriers even with the same labs. The preview points to questions worth checking before an application. It cannot establish the class or whether a carrier will make an offer.
How the preview works
The estimates run on field-underwriting tendencies across the life carriers we can reach through both of our brokerage relationships, held deliberately conservative. The screen applies an illustrative class adjustment for each answer and for combinations of moderate factors. Blood sugar, lipids, build, and blood pressure can matter together. This simple model cannot reproduce any carrier's full underwriting review.
Carrier suggestions appear where a guide reviewed for that carrier states a relevant tendency. A carrier missing from the list may still be worth considering. We review this reference material quarterly; it was last reviewed in August 2026.
What the carrier guides actually say
These are the tendencies behind the preview, drawn from carrier field underwriting guides. Each named example identifies the guide and edition we used. These are short summaries of reference material, not current carrier commitments or a reproduction of restricted guides. An underwriter may weigh additional facts or apply newer rules before making an offer. Last reviewed August 2026.
For a public example of how much context matters, John Hancock describes the diabetes history it reviews, including A1c trends, age at diagnosis, treatment, and complications. Some of the detailed field guides cited below are producer materials without a public link.
Coverage below is uneven, and that is worth saying plainly. Carriers publish very different amounts of detail. Some print the exact A1c, the dive depth and the pilot hours; others say a condition will be “individually considered” and leave it there. A carrier missing from a factor may still be a good fit, and a carrier we name is one whose guide gave a relevant example. Treat this as a well-sourced starting point for a shopping conversation rather than a ranking, and expect the occasional offer that lands nowhere near it.
A named carrier example paraphrases the cited guide edition. The “how we would shop it” notes are our interpretation of the factor, often focused on timing or documentation. We confirm current guidance before recommending a carrier for a real case.
Clients aged 60 and over
Client is 60 or older
Prudential: the Preferred build limit rises from BMI 31 to BMI 35 at 60, Non-Smoker Plus from 33 to 38, and family history stops counting altogether. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
Corebridge (AIG): the Preferred Plus blood pressure limit steps up at 60, from 135/85 to 140/85, and again at 70. Per Corebridge's Life Insurance Field Underwriting Guide, September 2025.
Protective: blood pressure limits step up at 61, where Select Preferred moves from 135/85 to 140/85 and Preferred from 140/90 to 150/90. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
MassMutual: the build chart splits at 65, and the older column allows roughly seven more pounds at every height. Per MassMutual's life insurance underwriting requirements guide, July 2025.
How we would shop it
Age 60+ files get more scrutiny on labs and cognitive screening; exam-free programs thin out.
Raised BMI
BMI 30 to 34
Prudential: Preferred reaches BMI 31 under age 60 and BMI 35 from 60, the widest limit of the guides we read. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
Protective: the build chart is age banded, and the table for 71 and over allows more weight at every height. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
Banner Life: the chart runs tighter than Prudential's, but an inch is added to measured height when build is the adverse finding and three of seven credit criteria are met, which is often worth a class. Per Banner Life's Field guide for life insurance underwriting, March 2026.
Pacific Life: the bands are plain BMI rather than a height chart: 30 for the best class, 33 for the second, 35 for the third. Per Pacific Life's Underwriting Guide, December 2025.
Securian (Minnesota Life): a published build stretch: a file that meets every Preferred Select criterion except build still issues at Preferred Select if the build reaches the Preferred limit. Per Securian's individual life insurance underwriting guide, May 2024.
American National: credits for build are offered against optimal blood pressure, favorable lipids, or a recent favorable stress test or EBCT. Per American National's life underwriting guidelines, January 2025.
How we would shop it
Sustained weight loss (12+ months at the lower weight) usually re-qualifies the better build band.
BMI 35 or higher
Prudential: Non-Smoker Plus reaches BMI 33 under 60 and BMI 38 from 60, so age works in the client's favor at this end of the chart. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
Protective: the substandard chart runs through Table 8, and the table for 71 and over allows more weight at every height. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
SBLI: the Healthy Credits program is built for mild to moderate substandard files and can move one as much as two tables, up to the Select class, if three of build, blood pressure, cholesterol and family history meet its top two classes. Per SBLI's underwriting guide, February 2025.
How we would shop it
A documented weight trend matters more than a single reading; recent stable weight helps.
Nicotine, cigars, and cannabis
Quit nicotine one to five years ago
How we would shop it
A documented quit date matters. The guides reviewed generally consider non-tobacco rates after at least twelve months, while the top classes may require three to five years. Confirm the current nicotine rules, testing, and other health factors before choosing a carrier.
A longer documented period without nicotine may open better non-tobacco classes, depending on the carrier and the rest of the profile.
Currently smoking, or vaping daily
How we would shop it
The guides reviewed did not identify a dependable class advantage for current cigarette use. Compare actual tobacco quotes and check each carrier's rules for vaping, other nicotine use, testing, and the quit date.
Quitting and documenting the date may improve future class eligibility. The timing and price difference depend on the carrier and the full application.
Occasional cigars, no other nicotine
Mutual of Omaha: up to 24 cigars a year, two a month, still reaches Preferred Plus with a negative urinalysis. Per Mutual of Omaha's fully underwritten life insurance underwriting guide.
North American: 24 cigars a year for Preferred non-tobacco and 12 for the top class, each with no nicotine by-products in the urine. Per North American's life insurance underwriting guide, April 2026.
Lincoln Financial: 12 cigars a year for Preferred Plus and 24 for Preferred, each with a nicotine-negative specimen. Per Lincoln Financial's Underwriting Guidelines, February 2023.
Protective: 24 celebratory cigars over the past 12 months at Preferred, or 12 at Select Preferred, admitted on the application. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
Prudential: cigars, pipe and chewing tobacco carry no stated annual count, though they hold the file at Non-Smoker Plus rather than Preferred. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
American National: Preferred Plus rates for cigars and, unusually, for smokeless tobacco, at twice a month or less with a negative specimen. Per American National's life underwriting guidelines, January 2025.
MassMutual: 24 cigars a year for the top two non-tobacco classes, disclosed on the application, with a negative urine specimen. Per MassMutual's life insurance underwriting requirements guide, July 2025.
Securian (Minnesota Life): counts an annual budget of any tobacco use rather than cigars alone: 12 or fewer uses for Preferred Select, 13 to 24 for the other non-tobacco classes. Per Securian's individual life insurance underwriting guide, May 2024.
Penn Mutual: an occasional cigar or chewing tobacco at one to two a month may still reach preferred rates with a nicotine-negative microurinalysis. Per Penn Mutual's financial professional underwriting guide, May 2025.
Ameritas: two cigars a month with a negative specimen is carved out of every class, including Preferred Plus. Per Ameritas' Life Underwriting Field Guide, 2026.
SBLI: 24 cigars a year or fewer reads as non-nicotine, provided it is fully admitted on the application and the nicotine test is negative. Per SBLI's underwriting guide, February 2025.
Lafayette Life: 12 cigars a year or fewer can still read as non-tobacco with a cotinine-negative urinalysis, though the top class wants 60 clean months either way. Per Lafayette Life's underwriting guide, March 2025.
How we would shop it
The common allowance is 12 cigars a year at non-tobacco rates with a clean nicotine test, and several carriers allow 24.
Occasional cannabis, no nicotine
Corebridge (AIG): the best class stays open at eight or fewer days a month, nine to sixteen days draws tobacco rates at best, and more than sixteen is a decline. Per Corebridge's Life Insurance Field Underwriting Guide, September 2025.
North American: Preferred Plus at once a month or less, Preferred at twice a month or less. Per North American's life insurance underwriting guide, April 2026.
Transamerica: up to Preferred Plus on indexed universal life and up to Preferred non-smoker on term. Per Transamerica's nicotine and marijuana underwriting guidelines, September 2025.
Lincoln Financial: marijuana is not treated as a tobacco product, so non-tobacco rates apply; vaping any nicotine liquid still counts as tobacco. Per Lincoln Financial's Underwriting Guidelines, February 2023.
Ameritas: a published three-tier ladder with no substance-abuse history: four times a month or less for Preferred Plus, eight for Preferred, twelve for Select. Per Ameritas' Life Underwriting Field Guide, 2026.
SBLI: intermittent use under four times a month sits on the list of impairments it expects to accept rather than investigate. Per SBLI's underwriting guide, February 2025.
How we would shop it
Some published guides distinguish occasional from frequent cannabis use. Corebridge's guide reviewed in August 2026 lists different classes by days of use, but the underlying condition and other history also matter. Confirm current rules before applying.
Document frequency, route of use, and whether use is medical or recreational; these details can change a carrier's assessment.
Blood pressure
Controlled on one medication
Mutual of Omaha: treatment does not close Preferred Plus, which asks for good control and a reading under 140/85. Per Mutual of Omaha's fully underwritten life insurance underwriting guide.
Protective: the file is graded on the average reading over the past year rather than on being medicated, with Select Preferred at 135/85 through 60. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
Lincoln Financial: Preferred Plus stays open on treated hypertension at a 12 month average of 130/80, against 135/85 untreated. Per Lincoln Financial's Underwriting Guidelines, February 2023.
Lafayette Life: the thresholds step at 50 rather than 60: the top class wants 130/80 up to age 50 and 135/85 after it. Per Lafayette Life's underwriting guide, March 2025.
Controlled on two or more medications
Mutual of Omaha: the criteria set a reading and ask for good control, with no limit on how many medications produce it. Per Mutual of Omaha's fully underwritten life insurance underwriting guide.
Protective: the guide asks for control and stability on treatment against exam readings and prescription records, and never counts the drugs. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
Lincoln Financial: the test is the 12 month average, so a two drug regimen averaging 130/80 still reaches Preferred Plus up to age 69. Per Lincoln Financial's Underwriting Guidelines, February 2023.
Elevated, or not yet controlled
How we would shop it
Several guides consider readings over time rather than one reading. Protective and Lincoln publish lookback criteria in the editions reviewed. A recent improvement may help, but the underwriting decision also depends on treatment and the rest of the file.
A period of stable, documented blood-pressure control may help. Ask about timing before delaying an application.
Cholesterol
Treated and controlled
How we would shop it
The guides reviewed for Banner, Prudential, Protective, Mutual of Omaha, and North American allow some preferred classes with treated lipids when readings meet their criteria. Medication alone does not determine the class; history and other findings still matter.
Documented control can help; carriers also consider the treatment and broader cardiovascular history.
High cholesterol, untreated
Prudential: the total to HDL ratio can reach 6 for Preferred and 7 for Non-Smoker Plus, the widest of the guides we read, with total cholesterol under 300. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
How we would shop it
What carriers grade is the ratio, and the cap for a Preferred class does spread: 5.5 at Banner and Protective against 6.0 at Prudential, Mutual of Omaha and Corebridge. That is worth about half a class, so it is worth checking without steering the whole case on it.
Documented treatment and improved readings may strengthen the file; compare the current criteria at each carrier.
Type 2 diabetes and raised A1c
Prediabetes, or A1c 5.7 to 6.4 with no diagnosis
Lafayette Life: writes the number into its preferred criteria: A1c of 5.6 or lower for the top class and 6.0 or lower for the next one, so the band splits at 6.0 rather than counting as one impairment. Per Lafayette Life's underwriting guide, March 2025.
How we would shop it
Published criteria differ for a raised A1c without a diabetes diagnosis. Prudential's guide restricts its top classes for glucose intolerance; other guides reviewed do not state a rule for every reading. The trend, treatment, and full history need review.
Improved A1c results may help, but a current reading does not erase a diagnosis, earlier results, treatment, or related history.
Type 2, diet-controlled
Nationwide: Preferred non-tobacco is the stated best class for non-insulin type 2 over age 40, with A1c readings inside guidelines. Per Nationwide's life insurance underwriting guide, March 2024.
John Hancock: Standard Plus from age 50 and Preferred from 60, on diet or oral medication only, with excellent control and no complications. Per John Hancock's life underwriting guidelines, August 2024.
Banner Life: Standard Plus is the published ceiling, and it wants onset at 50 or later, non-tobacco and good control. Per Banner Life's Field guide for life insurance underwriting, March 2026.
American National: Standard Plus from age 50 with good control and optimal blood pressure, lipids and build, on any permanent product. Per American National's life underwriting guidelines, January 2025.
Type 2 on oral medication, A1c under 7
Nationwide: Preferred non-tobacco is the stated best class for non-insulin type 2 over age 40, with A1c readings inside guidelines. Per Nationwide's life insurance underwriting guide, March 2024.
John Hancock: Standard Plus from age 50 and Preferred from 60, on diet or oral medication only, with excellent control and no complications. Per John Hancock's life underwriting guidelines, August 2024.
Banner Life: Standard Plus is the published ceiling, and it wants onset at 50 or later, non-tobacco and good control. Per Banner Life's Field guide for life insurance underwriting, March 2026.
Lincoln Financial: Preferred is closed to diabetes before 70; from 70 it opens for type 2 of three years or less on diet or oral medication with a 12 month A1c average of 6.4 or lower. Per Lincoln Financial's Underwriting Guidelines, February 2023.
American National: Standard Plus from age 50 with good control and optimal blood pressure, lipids and build, on any permanent product. Per American National's life underwriting guidelines, January 2025.
How we would shop it
A sustained A1c improvement may help, alongside age at diagnosis, treatment, complications, and other findings.
Insulin-treated, or A1c 7 and above
Prudential: credits are scaled by diabetes type, treatment including insulin, age of onset and level of control, and can lift a low substandard offer as far as Non-Smoker Plus. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
Banner Life: the guide reviewed lists an A1c above 10 or significant complications as potential decline factors; review the A1c history and complications before applying. Per Banner Life's Field guide for life insurance underwriting, March 2026.
SBLI: the Healthy Credits program is built for mild to moderate substandard files and can move one as much as two tables, up to the Select class, if three of build, blood pressure, cholesterol and family history meet its top two classes. Per SBLI's underwriting guide, February 2025.
How we would shop it
Expect individual review. The John Hancock and Nationwide guides reviewed reserve their more favorable stated outcomes for certain non-insulin cases. Insulin use or higher A1c may affect the class, but the actual decision depends on the full file.
A sustained improvement in A1c may help; ask the carrier what history it needs before estimating a class.
Anxiety and depression
Stable on one medication, no hospitalizations
Banner Life: Preferred Plus for mild anxiety well controlled on a single medication, and Preferred for mild depression on one medication. Per Banner Life's Field guide for life insurance underwriting, March 2026.
Prudential: mood disorders sit on the published list of impairments it writes credits against, which is where the better offers come from. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
American National: mild situational depression or anxiety with favorable characteristics is named as reaching preferred rates, and well-controlled adult ADD is treated the same way. Per American National's life underwriting guidelines, January 2025.
Multiple medications, or a past hospitalization
Prudential: mood disorders sit on the published list of impairments it writes credits against, and credits can lift a low substandard offer as far as Non-Smoker Plus. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
How we would shop it
The guides reviewed give limited detail for a moderate mental-health history. A case discussion with current records may be more useful than trying to infer a class from published criteria alone.
Recent hospitalization, a suicide attempt, or changes in treatment can lead to more questions, postponement, or a decline. The Pacific Life guide reviewed gives specific lookback periods; confirm its current rules and the full history before setting expectations.
Sleep apnea
Diagnosed, compliant on CPAP
Banner Life: Preferred for mild or moderate apnea, compliant with treatment and free of residual symptoms. Per Banner Life's Field guide for life insurance underwriting, March 2026.
Mutual of Omaha: mild apnea can reach Preferred with verified CPAP usage. Per Mutual of Omaha's fully underwritten life insurance underwriting guide.
Nationwide: Preferred non-tobacco is the stated best class, decided on treatment and control. Per Nationwide's life insurance underwriting guide, March 2024.
American National: preferred rates are on the table when the apnea is well controlled, the client is compliant with treatment, and the rest of the file is favorable. Per American National's life underwriting guidelines, January 2025.
How we would shop it
Several guides reviewed describe favorable classes for treated apnea under stated conditions. Request the CPAP compliance report and review symptoms and related conditions before estimating where a case might fit.
A current CPAP compliance report may support a better assessment when treatment is effective and other findings are favorable.
Diagnosed, not treated
How we would shop it
The guides reviewed generally tie favorable classes to treatment and control. Untreated or severe apnea needs individual review; a treatment record may change the options.
Effective treatment and a record of compliance may improve the assessment, depending on severity and related conditions.
Early family history
Cardiac event or cancer death before age 60
Prudential: family history stops counting once the client is 60, and only breast, colon, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, stomach and melanoma count as cancer. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
Protective: the history is waived once the applicant is 60, unless both parents died of the same impairment before 60, and cancer is limited to six named sites. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
Mutual of Omaha: the criteria stop applying at 60, count deaths rather than diagnoses, and let a family history of diabetes deaths through. Per Mutual of Omaha's fully underwritten life insurance underwriting guide.
Securian (Minnesota Life): publishes a near-miss stretch: a first-degree relative who died at 58 or 59 can still be considered for the best class. Per Securian's individual life insurance underwriting guide, May 2024.
American National: publishes a way to buy the debit back from age 50: one colon-cancer death clears with a normal colonoscopy inside 24 months, one cardiac death with a negative stress test at 8 METS inside 12 months, and prostate cancer with a PSA under 2.0. Per American National's life underwriting guidelines, January 2025.
Ameritas: allows one event at Preferred Plus where most carriers allow none, and stops counting at 60, but it counts a diagnosis as well as a death. Per Ameritas' Life Underwriting Field Guide, 2026.
Cardiac event or cancer death between 60 and 70
How we would shop it
Several guides reviewed use age 60 for family-history criteria, while Pacific Life and Lincoln use different windows in some classes. An event between ages 60 and 70 may have less effect with some carriers, but the condition, relationship, and other history still matter.
Driving and avocations
Private pilot
Prudential: Non-Smoker Plus from age 25 with 600 total hours or a three year flying history and no FAA violations in three years; Preferred wants age 30 and 1,000 hours. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
Protective: Preferred for private pilots aged 27 to 65 with 400 solo hours, 26 to 200 hours a year, an IFR or ATR rating and a clean driving record. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
Mutual of Omaha: Preferred and Standard Plus from age 30 to 70 with 1,000 total hours, 50 to 250 hours a year, an IFR or ATP rating and no FAA violations in five years. Per Mutual of Omaha's fully underwritten life insurance underwriting guide.
Ameritas: Preferred from 500 solo hours and Select from 350, each capped at 200 hours a year in conventional aircraft; Preferred Plus is closed to private pilots. Per Ameritas' Life Underwriting Field Guide, 2026.
How we would shop it
Hours, ratings, aircraft type, and the kind of flying may affect the offer. Expect a carrier to request aviation details before giving a reliable answer.
Scuba, climbing, racing, or similar
Protective: recreational diving to 100 feet is acceptable inside the preferred classes. Per Protective's Underwriting Guide and Underwriting build charts, March and May 2026.
Prudential: Preferred Best for open-water certification, dives no deeper than 100 feet and fewer than 10 a year; 101 to 130 feet drops the class. Per Prudential's Underwriting Overview reference guide, June 2026.
Banner Life: Preferred Plus at 100 feet with PADI, NAUI or SSI certification, open water only, and no wreck, salvage, ice or cave diving. Per Banner Life's Field guide for life insurance underwriting, March 2026.
Principal: Preferred or Super Preferred in the best and typical case, settled by the avocation questionnaire on depth and frequency. Per Principal's life insurance underwriting guide, February 2025.
Penn Mutual: PADI-certified, formally trained, accompanied dives under 130 feet read as favorable, and deeper dives go to individual consideration. Per Penn Mutual's financial professional underwriting guide, May 2025.
Ameritas: the most complete published ladder: certified, buddied dives to 100 feet reach any class up to Preferred Plus, 101 to 130 feet drops to Select, and past 130 feet may still be approved with a flat extra. Per Ameritas' Life Underwriting Field Guide, 2026.
How we would shop it
Depth, training, frequency, and activity type may affect the class or add a flat extra. The guides reviewed set different limits for diving; a carrier may ask for an avocation questionnaire before deciding.
A DUI or multiple violations in the past five years
How we would shop it
The guides reviewed use different driving-history windows. Several use about five years for preferred classes, while others look back longer. Verify dates, violations, and the carrier's current rules before choosing where to apply.
A recent DUI or several violations may limit classes, lead to postponement, or result in a decline. Timing and the rest of the driving record matter.
When the fully underwritten market says no
A table-rated offer can be worth comparing with simplified-issue coverage. Simplified-issue products may avoid medical exams, but still ask health questions and may use underwriting databases. Coverage limits, pricing and graded death benefits vary by product. We can discuss an unnamed profile before a formal application. With an applicant's authorization, member insurers may report significant health or avocation information to MIB. MIB codes do not report approval, denial or rating decisions, and cannot alone support an adverse underwriting decision.
Common questions
Is this a quote?
What do the two rate-class estimates mean?
Why do the same health facts price differently across carriers?
Where do the carrier suggestions come from?
Is client information stored anywhere?
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