Group health insurance and individual health insurance are the two main choices most individuals have for coverage. Insurance offered and subsidized through employers is referred to as group coverage. Individual insurance is usually bought by individuals that don't have access to group coverage and is purchased through a broker or direct from teh insurance company. Regardless of the type you have, all insurance companies use underwriting to determine risk factors and plan prices, however for people who purchase individual insurance are the ones that will feel the direct effect of the results of underwrting. This article will briefly touch on how the underwriting process works so that you will better understand the factors that influence the price and how you can make the process easier.

Underwriting is a process that financial service providers use to assess their customer's eligibility to purchase their products. It has been around for a long time and is used in several industries besides the group and individual health insurance market such as securities, banking, and real estate. The goal in underwriting is to minimize the risk of loss while maximizing profits for the insurance carrier. As such, an underwriter will take several factors into consideration when evaluating you for coverage. These factors include vital statistics, such as age and weight, the type of lifestyle you live, your health status, and sometimes even occupation.

Some of the factors that affect the cost of your health insurance coverage are under your control. For example, if you indulge in unhealthy habits, such as smoking, or your are overweight your insurance premiums will likely be higher. The insurance company is anticipating that you may need major care, such as cancer treatment for lung cancer, and want to mitigate their losses by charging you more for your individual health insurance. Other factors may make it difficult for you to obtain insurance. Due to the high risk of financial loss they pose for the carriers, people with major preexisting conditions will find it difficult to find companies that will offer coverage.

Underwriting processes and practices differ from company to company. Therefore, conceivably, being rejected by one insurance company does not mean you will not be able to get individual health insurance from any of them. What one company deems as risky, another insurance company may see as no big deal. It is highly recommended that when shopping for insurance you work with a local independent health insurance agent that works with several carriers as they are well versed in the underwriting processes of each. They can evaluate your individual needs and make suggestions as to which carriers will be the best choice based on your current health situation.