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Question

Difficulty: MediumRisk Classification

An underwriter is evaluating a life insurance application for an individual who works as an aerial firefighter. The medical examination reveals no adverse health conditions, but the occupation presents a significant, constant risk of mortality that does not naturally increase as the insured grows older. How will the insurer most likely classify this applicant and modify the policy premium?

  1. Classify as a substandard risk and assess a flat extra premium to cover the specific occupational hazard.Answer
  2. B
    Classify as a substandard risk and apply a tabular rating to account for compounding future risks.
  3. C
    Classify as a standard risk, provided the applicant signs a warranty assuming all liability for work-related injuries.
  4. D
    Decline the application entirely, as hazardous occupations represent a speculative risk that cannot be legally insured.

Answer

The applicant will be classified as a substandard risk and charged a flat extra premium to cover the constant occupational hazard.
Because the mortality risk is tied to a specific occupation and remains constant rather than increasing with age, the applicant is classified as a substandard risk and charged a flat extra premium. This flat fee covers the specific hazard without fundamentally altering the base age-related mortality calculations.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the applicant's profile to determine the nature of the risk.
The risk is occupational (aerial firefighting) and remains constant over time, rather than deteriorating with age like a medical condition.
Identifying the type and behavior of the hazard is required to select the correct rating method.
2
Determine the appropriate risk classification.
The applicant poses a higher-than-average risk, meaning they cannot be a standard or preferred risk, but the risk is not severe enough to be completely uninsurable.
Elevated but acceptable risks fall into the substandard classification.
3
Select the proper premium modification method for the classification.
A flat extra premium is selected because the hazard does not increase as the applicant ages.
Flat extra premiums are designed for constant hazards (like dangerous jobs or hobbies), whereas tabular/table ratings are for compounding health issues.

Key Concept

Risk Classification and Substandard Rating Methods
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Topics

Risk Classification

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