How Much Will You Pay for Life Insurance at Prudential with High Cholesterol?
Prudential is a very well known name in the life insurance industry. They are one of the first companies that come to mind when people think about life insurance and a good all-around choice.
But what if your cholesterol is a little high? Can you still get insured? Will it be expensive?
It’s common for applications to be denied or bumped up in price due to the cholesterol levels that show up in an applicants medical history or from the exam. You want to make sure you apply at the right company the first time.
Is that company Prudential?
Let’s take a look:
How Prudential Considers Cholesterol Levels
Life insurance carriers are in the business of judging risk and predicting death. This is how they set the premiums you pay. Elevated cholesterol levels can lead to coronary heart disease and/or heart attacks, as well as a stroke. For this reason, you can be sure the underwriters will be paying attention to your cholesterol levels.
On the results of your medical exam, they will be looking at the below levels in your blood to assess risk:
- LDL
- HDL
- Total Cholesterol
- Triglycerides
- Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio
Generally speaking, at most life insurance companies, if you meet these optimal thresholds it will have NO negative effect on the rate you pay.
Total Cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dl |
LDL | Less than 100 mg/dl |
HDL | Over 40 |
Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio | Less than 3.5 |
Triglycerides | Less than 150 mg/dl |
Determining the Premium You Pay
Underwriting will assign a health class that is based on not only your cholesterol levels, but any other medical issues you may have. This health rating + your age = the cost of your life insurance payment.
At Prudential, you can qualify for their top health classes if you meet these thresholds in your cholesterol levels:
Preferred Plus
Total Cholesterol – 300 or lower
Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio – 5 or less
Cholesterol medication OK
Preferred
Total Cholesterol – 300 or lower
Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio – 6 or less
Cholesterol medication OK
Standard Plus
Total Cholesterol – 300 or lower
Total Cholesterol to HDL ratio – 7 or less
Cholesterol medication OK
Standard
Reviewed on a case by case basis.
Cholesterol medication OK
If your levels are higher, you may still be approved for life insurance at Prudential but at substandard rates known as table ratings.
Compare cholesterol levels from multiple top insurance companies
About High Cholesterol
Cholesterol and triglycerides are fatty substances known as lipids. These lipids are naturally occurring in the bloodstream. When the level of lipids runs too high, it can lead to a condition called hyperlipidemia which is the medical term for having high cholesterol.
Having high cholesterol is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. As these lipids build up on the walls of the blood vessels, overtime they constrict and block blood flow. Not good. As the blood vessels narrow, this is known as arteriosclerosis. When oxygen has trouble reaching the heart, the risk of a heart attack goes way up.
A small percentage of high cholesterol is genetic but mostly, it’s a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. The good news here is that it can be reduced, prevented, and treated.
These factors include:
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Poor diet that includes foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat
Good vs Bad
The lipoprotein profile includes both LDL and HDL cholesterol types.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) is known as the “bad” cholesterol as it delivers cholesterol to the arteries, where it can build up causing problems.
HDL (high-density lipoprotein) is referred to as “good” cholesterol because it takes cholesterol to the liver where it can be removed from the body.
About Prudential
Prudential is the 3rd largest life insurance carrier in the U.S with over 3 trillion dollars of policies in force and is a very well known name by consumers. Around for 140 years, their mission statement reads:
“To help our customers achieve financial prosperity and peace of mind“
Financial strength is important when choosing a life insurance company.
You want to make sure they’ll be around well into the future in the event a death claim needs to be paid out. With Prudential, there is little to worry about as they maintain top ratings from all the major agencies including an A+ from A.M. Best, widely considered to be the leader in insurance company ratings.
Prudential offers a wide variety of life insurance products including six different term life policies and many options for universal life.
Finding the Lowest Life Insurance Rates if your Cholesterol is High
Prudential is definitely one to consider but is it the best for you?
The secret to finding the lowest cost life insurance is knowing where to apply. With hundreds of life insurance companies operating in the U.S., that isn’t always easy. The one that shows the lowest quote is probably not the right choice if you have high cholesterol or any other health issue.
Let us help you.
As an independent broker, it’s our job to stay on top of the underwriting guidelines. We know the strengths and weaknesses of each company and this changes often.
We’ll listen to your needs, answer your questions, then shop around to 50+ top-rated carriers to find the best fit for each unique situation. Life insurance rates are fixed by law so there is no cost or obligation to use our expertise. If you ready to get started, please fill out the quote form on the site and we’ll be in touch soon.
The opinions in this article are based on our knowledge of the Prudential underwriting guidelines at this time. Guidelines are subject to change at any time. We are not an employee of Prudential but rather an independent agent contracted to work with them as well as 50+ other carriers. Our business is placing clients with the right company.