Which of the following is a key factor considered in underwriting life insurance policies?

In underwriting life insurance policies, gender is considered a key factor because it is statistically associated with life expectancy and health risks. Insurance companies analyze data that shows differences in mortality rates between genders. Generally, women tend to live longer than men, which influences the pricing and structuring of life insurance policies. Because of this statistical data, insurers may offer different premium rates based on gender, which makes it a significant element in the underwriting process.

While other factors, such as marital status, hobbies, and occupation, can also influence underwriting decisions, they do not carry the same level of statistical weight or regularity as gender. Marital status may relate to the individual's responsibilities or perceived risk factors, hobbies may indicate potential risk behaviors, and occupation could influence health-related risks. However, gender consistently plays a foundational role in assessing risk across various populations, making it a primary consideration in underwriting decisions.