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Slowtwitch Forums
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Have you ever negotiated life insurance rates?
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Dr. Bearmilk
Jul 1, 08 12:27
Post #1 of 7 (133 views)
Have you ever negotiated life insurance rates?
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So long story short this is my first go at getting life insurance. I went through all the stuff and got me lab tests back. They originally quoted me for the "Ultra" rate, which is their highest and I got dropped to the level right below that. The only reason I got moved was because my cholesterol ratio was off by .2. I had to get a ratio of 4.0 or less of HDL to total, but I landed at 4.2. Everything else I was in the ultra category. The rate increase was 20% from ultra per month which I didn't think was fair since I only missed ONE category by such a close margin. I'm still in a great category, but I want the Ultra and I don't want to pay 20% more. I think like 5% more would be fair.
I have an appointment to speak with the underwriter who wrote my policy and I am going to try and negotiate a better rate, for all the reasons mentioned. Anybody done this before or had any luck?
I'm dealing with USAA, who is by far the best insurance company in the US... I wonder if I can deal in a multi policy discount?
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Did you touch my drumset? Nope. Why are you so sweaty? I was watching Cops.
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Russ Brandt
Jul 1, 08 12:34
Post #2 of 7 (128 views)
Re: Have you ever negotiated life insurance rates? [Dr. Bearmilk]
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Interesting...I too just took out a life policy with USAA after getting married. Had the blood test 1 week after an Ironman and was nervous they were going to claim that I'm all jacked up. No problemo though. I didn't know their rates were in tiers, I just took what they quoted me.
slowbern
Jul 1, 08 12:34
Post #3 of 7 (128 views)
Re: Have you ever negotiated life insurance rates? [Dr. Bearmilk]
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I wonder if I can deal in a multi policy discount?
Possibly. Maybe you could also negotiate the term. Something like this: you would take a shorter or a longer term for the better rate. Another option would be to not get the insurance now, but do what you can to change your HDL and then get re-examined.
Bernie
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"Hold on one second, sweetie."-Barack Obama
Dr. Bearmilk
Jul 1, 08 13:53
Post #4 of 7 (107 views)
Re: Have you ever negotiated life insurance rates? [slowbern]
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In Reply To
I wonder if I can deal in a multi policy discount?
Possibly. Maybe you could also negotiate the term. Something like this: you would take a shorter or a longer term for the better rate. Another option would be to not get the insurance now, but do what you can to change your HDL and then get re-examined.
Bernie
Yea, good suggestions I will bring up. They do a thing where I can get a new blood test every 2 years and they will adjust my rates if I can make the better ratio. My family has a history of somewhat low HDL. I've got 44 HDL to a very low overall cholesterol and I really don't know that it will get much better as I'm young, an active triathlete, eat healthy etc. But I guess you never know. The doc gave me some tips as he said my HDL isn't so low I need to be concerned for any reason, but it doesn't hurt to be higher. He said exercise was the biggest helper, along with drinking red wine and other alcohol in moderation. :)
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Did you touch my drumset? Nope. Why are you so sweaty? I was watching Cops.
slowbern
Jul 1, 08 14:15
Post #5 of 7 (95 views)
Re: Have you ever negotiated life insurance rates? [Dr. Bearmilk]
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My family has a history of somewhat low HDL. I've got 44 HDL to a very low overall cholesterol and I really don't know that it will get much better as I'm young, an active triathlete, eat healthy etc. But I guess you never know. The doc gave me some tips as he said my HDL isn't so low I need to be concerned for any reason, but it doesn't hurt to be higher. He said exercise was the biggest helper, along with drinking red wine and other alcohol in moderation. :)
Your HDL is sky high compared to mine at 35 (and that is up from a lifetime low of 26!).
Vegetarian diet helps. Concentrate on the anaerobic exercises like sprinting and weight lifting. There is also something about taking a probiotic supplement that seems to be strongly correlated with increasing HDL (something like Floragen 3...not just a cup of yogurt). Supposedly Omega 3's help too.
Alot of people talk about drinking alcohol (red wine) moderately to increase HDL, but the 2 nutrition texts I have read said it increases the wrong type of HDL (there are like 6 or 7 types). I'm not saying it is a bad thing, but not something to rely on.
Genetics play a big role and it is a slow mover...but if all you need is a small move in the right direction, you might want to give it a go.
Bernie
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"Hold on one second, sweetie."-Barack Obama
TriDavis
Jul 1, 08 15:20
Post #6 of 7 (81 views)
Re: Have you ever negotiated life insurance rates? [slowbern]
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I guess it depends on family history. No one, and I mean no one in my family has ever had any heart related issues, but my total Cholesterol is 325, with a HDL of 95...so my doc says don't worry. Most of these numbers are targeted by the drug companies to push their products. If it benefits them, they publish the hell out of them, but if they don't, the only place you find these numbers is in the NEJM.
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Monk
Jul 1, 08 15:26
Post #7 of 7 (78 views)
Re: Have you ever negotiated life insurance rates? [Dr. Bearmilk]
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I think it may be easier to negotiate "class" than rates. i.e. ultra versus whatever they rated you at.
HOPE is not a plan.
CHANGE is not a plan.
BELIEVE is not a plan.
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