Life insurance, by its very nature, is deeply personal. It transforms the vulnerable into the secure.
It can also leave you wondering – how does that all work, anyway?
Keep reading for answers to a few curious and common life insurance questions you’ve probably wondered about…but were too afraid to ask.
Q: I Have a Dangerous Hobby. Can I Still Get Life Insurance?
A: In many cases, yes – but expect to answer some questions and (probably) pay a little extra to account for the additional risk.
Before giving you a quote, your local insurance agent may ask you to fill out a written questionnaire to understand more about your hobby.
At ERIE, that includes hobbies such as:
- Rock climbing
- Vehicle racing (stock cars, drag racing, motorcycles, etc.)
- Aviation
- Sky diving
- Scuba diving
The questionnaire may ask for details like:
- How long you’ve participated in the hobby
- How frequently you engage in it
- Any training, certifications, or safety education
- If you ever get paid or hired for your hobby (as opposed to just doing it for fun)
- Future goals related to the hobby
It’s important to be honest when completing the form. Misrepresenting your activities could lead to a denied claim later on.
Once submitted, your responses go to the life insurance underwriter, who evaluates the risk and helps determine your premium.
For example: Let’s say you’re into rock climbing. Does that mean you climb indoors with friends once in a while at the local gym? Or are you planning a trip to the Himalayas to go ice climbing alone? Similarly, if you have a private pilot license – are you taking occasional short trips for business? Or are you regularly stunt flying in air shows on the weekends?
You get the idea… it’s all about calculating that risk.
Q: If I Quit Smoking, Can I Get Re-Rated to Save Money on Life Insurance?
A: First things first: Good for you!
As for your policy, yes, in most cases, you can ask your local agent to re-rate your existing life insurance.
But before that happens, you’ll likely need to demonstrate a consistent lifestyle change for at least one to two years.
Depending on your situation, the outcome may vary:
- If you quit smoking as part of a healthier lifestyle — and there are no complications — you may be eligible to move from the “smoker” to “non-smoker” rate classification. This typically results in lower life insurance premiums.
- However, if you quit due to a medical condition (e.g., COPD or lung cancer), that health factor may still influence your rate.
In either case, your agent will likely ask you to complete a questionnaire explaining when, why, and how you quit.
Q: What if I Lose 50 Pounds? Could I Get Re-Rated Then?
A: Similar to the example of smoking, the insurer will want more context about your weight loss.
Questions you might be asked include:
- How and why did you lose the weight?
- Was it through surgery (gastric bypass, lap band)?
- Was it unintentional or related to a medical condition or medication change?
If your weight loss is the result of healthy lifestyle choices — like diet and exercise — and you’ve maintained it over time, you may qualify for a better rate class.
That said, most insurance carriers will assume some weight will return. So, when re-rating, they typically add back about 50% of the lost weight to account for that possibility.
Why? Statistically, significant weight loss often comes with some rebound, which affects long-term risk predictions.
Be sure to ask your ERIE agent about re-rating your life insurance policy when your health improves or lifestyle changes.
Talk to a Local ERIE Agent for a Life Insurance Quote
Have a weird or embarrassing insurance question? Don’t be shy: Our local agents are licensed professionals – they’re not here to judge.
Find a local ERIE agent near you to get the conversation started, or request a life insurance quote online.
