Cholesterol Numbers vs. Affordable Insurance

[sftat]

I'm frustrated with insurance companies, and I need advice. After 7 years on Protein Power I feel great and I'm the healthiest 55 year old that I know. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not impressed. I've been examined twice for life insurance over the last couple of years, and both times I've been disqualified for good rates based on high Cholesterol (http://www.proteinpower.com/forum/showthread.php?t=137)readings. I don't have all the details, and it is possible that they are on to something, so I'll be getting my own exam with details soon. Meanwhile, I'd like to know if there are life insurance firms out there that can be convinced to view the overall view of lipids in the more modern way, rather than just getting hung on the overall total number.

Can anyone suggest an enlightened insurance company, or an approach that gets past the company beareaucrats? I assume the normal process operates on tables of numbers with no interest in logic or science.

I'm open to any suggestions.

[Ottawa]

Re:"After 7 years on Protein Power I feel great and I'm the healthiest 55 year old that I know."

Sorry Steve but that's because you don't know me. You are likely the second healthiest.:D :p :D

Seriously, as far as teh insurance goes yu can go with teh companines that don't do a health check but their rates are high compared to the payout and they are very limited in the amount of coverage.

A few people here have found that it is easier to borrow the amount on a secure line of credit and invest it in a safe, money fund and use that as their insurance. If you do it through a Co-op you can save .5% and it can be life insured as well. The problem with the life insurance on the loan is that it is done using actuary tables so your health benefits bring no return.

A better idea might be this.
Let's say you want 50,000. At 5% that works out to $2,500/year which you can claim as a loss. You can get a guaranteed minimum 3.5% return on some money funds which leaves you paying $1000/year for your 50,000 in insurance, likley less if you chose a better investment. You have to claim this as a gain.
Even at the top income bracket (Canadian for Capital Gains is 26% I believe) you would have to pay your - income $1750 minus the interest $2500 = negative amount so no taxes unless your money fund went up that year.

This seems a very long way around the issue for your insurance needs but I know two people that did not decide they needed insurance until older and have taken this route.

One other alternative is going with one of the agencies that actually does a complete physical and base it on your health. Unfortunately bad lipid numbers would fail you. My numbers (Canadian) are measured differently using microliters, vs. the American method so they would mean little in comparison, but my lipid profile was close to perfect the whole time I stuck to 10/ECC per meal after my forst 6 months. With the small increase when going to maintanance it changed slightly but has been more than compensated for with increased physical activity. You ratio could be improved by getting active for a few months and having your blood work done again.

I hope this helps.

[Knipfty]

or an approach that gets past the company beareaucrats

In a nutshell, its their product and they make the rules on selling their product. SO you need to keep shopping around.

Can you buy insurance from your company? The rates are usually pretty good and unless you are trying to buy $500,000 or more, there is no medical examine.

Good luck