Importance of Life Insurance Health Underwriting
- LIR TEAM
- Jul 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Since 2011, LifeInsuranceReview.com (LIR) has grown every year, thanks to the trust placed in us by our professional referral partners—CPAs, attorneys, financial advisors, and other experts—who confidently refer their clients to us. Unlike most traditional insurance sales approaches, LIR was built to ensure that consumers have access to expert policy reviews and tailored solutions that truly serve their best interests, rather than being limited or taken advantage of.
Unfortunately, life insurance is often sold rather than planned, leaving many consumers with policies that do not fully meet their needs or that have costly design flaws. One area that requires specialized expertise is health underwriting—the process that determines whether a client is approved and at what cost.
What is Health Underwriting and Why It Matters
Health underwriting is how insurance companies assess your medical history, lifestyle, and risk factors to determine coverage eligibility and premium pricing.
Key reasons why underwriting is critical:
Approval and pricing can vary drastically between companies.
How your health information is presented can make or break approval.
Expertise in managing medical information can turn a decline into an approval.
A $34.5 Million Case No One Else Could Approve
We recently managed one of the most complex health underwriting cases in LIR’s history:
The client required $34.5 million of permanent life insurance coverage.
Before coming to LIR, the client was already formally declined with no reconsideration, and then later 14 more major life insurance companies—both mutual and stock companies declined him.
Other brokers were unable to get him approved, despite multiple attempts.
This was a case that most would consider impossible, but we approached it differently.
Our LIR Team meticulously reviewed every detail of his medical records.
We worked one-on-one with the client over three weeks to gather supporting information and prepare a strong case.
Leveraging our underwriting expertise and deep carrier relationships, we successfully repositioned his medical history in a way that gave him a real chance.
The result? The client was approved for coverage—a result none of the previous brokers could deliver.
Why Most Brokers Fail with Complex Cases
Most life insurance agents and brokers focus on straightforward cases. Complex health histories require time, expertise, and resources that many simply don’t have.
Common reasons why brokers fail:
Limited understanding of medical underwriting nuances.
No ability to advocate with underwriters or challenge initial declines.
A focus on fast, easy commissions rather than difficult, time-consuming cases.
At LIR, we thrive on solving the cases others cannot. Our in-house expertise and carrier relationships allow us to give clients the best possible shot at approval—even when others have failed.
Key Takeaways for Consumers
Don’t assume a decline is final. If your application was rejected, a second opinion with an expert team like LIR can change the outcome.
Underwriting expertise can save millions. How your case is handled is often more important than which company you apply to.
Work with specialists who advocate for you. Not all brokers have the skill or willingness to fight for complex cases.
FAQs - Importance of Life Insurance Health Underwriting
1. What is life insurance health underwriting?
Health underwriting is the process insurers use to assess your health and lifestyle risks to determine eligibility, premium rates, and policy terms.
2. Why can one insurance company decline me while another approves me?
Each company has its own underwriting guidelines. Expertise in selecting the right company and presenting your health information can lead to vastly different results.
3. Can I get approved after being declined by multiple companies?
Yes. At LIR, we specialize in challenging cases. We often succeed where other brokers have failed, as seen in our recent $34.5M case.
4. How does LIR handle tough health cases differently?
We review your entire medical history, communicate directly with underwriters, and strategically present your case to improve approval chances.
5. Do I need to pay more if I have health issues?
Not always. With proper underwriting strategies, we can often secure favorable rates even for clients with health conditions.
6. What should I do if my agent says my case is “too difficult”?
Seek a second opinion from an underwriting specialist like LIR. We have in-house expertise and relationships with top carriers to handle complex cases.
Expertise = Outcomes
The underwriting process is a critical part of securing life insurance, and your future protection depends on how well it’s managed. At LIR, we have the experience, resources, and determination to handle the most difficult cases—even when other brokers have failed. Reach out to us today for a free consultation - The Importance of Life Insurance Health Underwriting done right!
