Insurance Tutor

According to the Society of Actuaries, alcohol abuse may take off anywhere from 10 to 15 years of your life. But did you know it can also raise your life insurance premiums?

When applying for life insurance, you will have to answer questions on the application related to your alcohol use. There is no actual insurance ruling on "problem drinkers" or "alcoholics," but excessive drinking can lead to certain medical conditions which will ultimately affect what insurance rate a life insurance company assigns you. It's very rare that you will be denied life insurance coverage based on the answer you give, but it may prompt a further investigation into your life and use of alcohol.

When a life insurance company is reviewing your application and records, there are a couple of things they look for that may "red flag” you as a risk:

Liver enzymes.
If you took a blood test, your life insurance company may test a sample for liver enzymes. If levels are elevated, it may mean there is an alcohol-related medical problem. Also, if you're not a drinker, elevated levels may signal there is something seriously wrong with your health. A decision for your life insurance will be postponed until you meet with a doctor and find the reason your liver is not functioning like normal.