By Susheela Bhat, Life Quotes, Inc.

Suppose you’re a generally healthy person with a weekend habit of jumping out of helicopters to ski down mountains in the middle of the French Alps? What if you like to ascend ice formations in a sport called ice climbing, or barrel down a twisting paved road while lying on wheeled board?  How about if you work a dangerous job? If you find that your adrenaline rush or risky occupation is getting in the way of obtaining life insurance coverage, here’s two ways to prevent being denied coverage or finding reasonable rates: don’t lie, and get trained.

Although hazardous avocations typically come with increased premiums, high-risk insurance specialists can advise you on how to keep your personal premiums from soaring.

Dangerous avocations, as defined by the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA), are categorized as “impaired risk,” meaning most underwriters will rule out the most favorable rates, but according to Carol Casey-Odekirk, spokesperson for State Farm Insurance, people who work dangerous jobs are generally compensated for job risk by their companies, which can offset any increase in premiums.

“Insurers are obviously involved in aggressive underwriting for people with impaired risk, but to do the best job we need to know all the facts pertaining to the risk,” says Gary Dworkin, Immediate Past Chair for the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies.

While premiums vary based on specific circumstances, taking safety courses and showing expertise in your hobby or occupation can help reduce your rates. The life insurance market is very competitive and rates are often reasonable, so chances are fairly good a risk specialist can find you the best coverage for the right price. Lying or omitting information, however, will not help you.

Pages: 1 2 3