Which is not a key underwriting factor?

• A. Age
• B. Health
• C. Marital status
• D. Occupation

Answer: (C)

Underwriting assesses risk by looking at factors that actually influence the likelihood and cost of a claim. The strongest signals are age, health, and occupation. Age correlates with life expectancy, so older applicants generally present higher mortality risk. Health provides direct information about current and past medical conditions that could lead to a claim. Occupation can reveal exposure to hazardous conditions or higher accident risk, which affects underwriting decisions and premiums.

Marital status, while relevant for planning and beneficiaries, does not predict the likelihood of death or illness, so it isn’t used to determine insurability or pricing. It may influence policy design or beneficiary designations, but it doesn’t change the risk profile that underwriters evaluate.