4 Surprising Everyday Habits That Could Raise Your Life Insurance Premiums

Think life insurance premiums are only based on age or medical history? Think again. Some of the seemingly harmless habits you do every day, like skipping doctor visits or ordering takeout a little too often, could quietly be driving up your life insurance costs.

In this blog, we’re uncovering 4 surprising everyday habits that could raise your life insurance premiums, and what you can do to fix them. If you’re thinking about applying for coverage or reviewing your policy, these tips could help you save money and stay healthy.

In this article:

• Habit 1: Poor Sleep Hygiene
• Habit 2: Risky Driving or Commuting Behaviors
• Habit 3: Avoiding Regular Medical Checkups
• Habit 4: Frequent Takeout or Processed Food Consumption
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How Your Habits Could Raise Your Life Insurance Premiums

Habit 1: Poor Sleep Hygiene

You might think that staying up late scrolling on your phone or working the night shift only affects your energy levels, but what if it also affected your life insurance premiums?

Poor sleep hygiene, like regularly getting less than six hours of sleep, having an irregular sleep schedule, or living with untreated sleep apnea, can quietly impact your long-term health. And insurers? They’re paying attention.

Chronic sleep deprivation has been linked to a higher risk of heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even depression, all red flags when it comes to life insurance underwriting. According to the Canadian Sleep Society, nearly one in two adults in Canada isn’t getting the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep per night, and that can contribute to long-term health issues 

So while you might feel like you’re functioning fine on four or five hours, your body might say otherwise, and your insurer will take that risk into account.

If your medical records note symptoms of insomnia or a diagnosis like sleep apnea that’s left untreated, some insurers may see this as a predictor of future health concerns, which could lead to higher premiums or even policy exclusions.

Let’s say someone applies for term life insurance and discloses that they’ve been diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea but have never used a CPAP machine. Even if they feel healthy otherwise, an underwriter may classify them as higher risk, because untreated sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular issues and reduced life expectancy.

That classification? It can increase monthly premiums by 25% or more, sometimes significantly more depending on age and the insurance provider.

The good news? This is one area you can improve. Try keeping a consistent bedtime, tracking your sleep using an app or smartwatch, and following up with a doctor if you suspect sleep apnea or another issue. Documenting a healthy sleep routine and sharing treatment compliance (like CPAP usage) can actually improve your rating with some insurers.

If you’re worried that your sleep habits could impact your life insurance eligibility or cost, it might be worth chatting with a licensed advisor who can match you with providers that are more flexible. Every insurer evaluates risk differently, and sleep doesn’t have to cost you more if you’re proactive.

Habit 2: Risky Driving or Commuting Behaviors

You might not think twice about rolling through a yellow light or glancing at your phone during a red, but your life insurance company might.

While most people associate driving records with car insurance, your behind-the-wheel behavior can also play a surprising role in your life insurance premiums, especially if you’re applying for a no-medical or simplified issue policy. Why? Because risky drivers tend to be, well… riskier to insure.

Here’s the deal: many Canadian life insurance providers, especially those offering no-medical or accelerated underwriting policies, will request access to your motor vehicle report (MVR) as part of their risk assessment. If they see a history of speeding tickets, distracted driving violations, impaired driving charges, or even multiple at-fault accidents, you could be flagged as a higher-risk applicant.

And it makes sense when you think about it: people with poor driving habits are statistically more likely to be involved in fatal collisions. According to Transport Canada, nearly 1,800 people die in motor vehicle collisions every year, and poor decision-making behind the wheel is a major contributor. 

Let’s not forget, driving in Canada isn’t exactly easy. Long commutes, icy roads, snowstorms, and early sunsets can turn even the safest commute into a white-knuckle adventure. If you’re regularly driving long distances for work or live in a rural area with poor road conditions, insurers may see your lifestyle as carrying elevated risk, especially if you’ve had recent traffic incidents.

Want to protect yourself and your premiums? Here’s how:

• Drive defensively, and consider taking a defensive driving course. Some insurers may look favorably on this.
• Avoid aggressive driving habits like speeding, tailgating, and texting while driving.
• Keep your record clean. Just a couple of minor infractions can raise flags during underwriting.

And if you’ve made mistakes in the past, don’t stress too much. Some insurers weigh recent driving behavior more heavily than older infractions, so cleaning up your act now can still pay off down the road.

Before you apply, it’s worth working with an advisor who understands which life insurance companies are more forgiving when it comes to driving history. Not all providers weigh MVRs equally, and a broker can help you find the right fit, especially if your commute feels more like a survival mission during Canadian winters.

Habit 3: Avoiding Regular Medical Checkups

If you’re one of those people who proudly says, “I haven’t seen a doctor in years!” you might want to rethink that before applying for life insurance.

While it’s great to feel healthy, avoiding regular medical checkups can actually hurt you when it comes to life insurance premiums. Why? Because when insurers don’t have proof that you’re in good health, they often assume the worst.

Here’s the thing: life insurance underwriters love clarity. The more they know about your health, the better they can assess your risk, and potentially offer you lower premiums. But when someone applies for coverage and hasn’t seen a doctor in years or doesn’t have updated medical records, it raises a big question mark.

Life insurance companies worry that undiagnosed conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, or even early signs of cancer, could be lurking below the surface. And since they can’t confirm your health status, they may place you in a more expensive substandard rating just to be safe.

Let’s say you’re a 35-year-old applicant who hasn’t had a physical in over five years. You apply for a traditional term life policy and answer “no” to all the medical questions because you feel fine. But when your bloodwork comes back with elevated cholesterol or borderline high glucose, it tells a different story.

Now, not only is your premium higher than expected, but your application might get delayed or even declined if the insurer wants further follow-up with your doctor (who hasn’t seen you in years).

Even if you’re feeling perfectly healthy, scheduling an annual checkup is one of the smartest ways to support your life insurance application. It helps create a paper trail of good health, updates your medical records, and may even uncover early warning signs that are easier to treat now than later.

And if you’re applying for no-medical life insurance, some insurers may still check your prescription history or request access to your provincial health records, so it pays to stay current.

Regular checkups don’t just keep you healthy, they can help keep your life insurance affordable. Plus, if you’re ever in a position to improve your rates through a policy review or re-application, those updated records can work in your favour.

If you’re not sure how your medical history might affect your options, talk to a licensed advisor who can guide you to insurers that work with your current health situation, even if it’s been a while since your last appointment.

Habit 4: Frequent Takeout or Processed Food Consumption

Let’s be honest, we all love a good skip-the-dishes night. But if ordering takeout or relying on processed food has become your go-to more days than not, it might be doing more than just draining your wallet. It could also be impacting your life insurance premiums.

Yep, your eating habits may come into play when insurers assess your health risk, especially if you’re applying for a traditional life insurance policy that includes medical underwriting.

When you consistently eat ultra-processed foods, think fast food, frozen meals, sugary snacks, and salty packaged items, it can lead to a host of nutrition-related health issues, including:

• High blood pressure
• Elevated cholesterol
• Obesity
• Type 2 diabetes

These conditions don’t just live in your doctor’s notes, they show up in blood and urine test results, which are often part of the medical exam required for traditional life insurance.

So if your regular lunch routine includes fries and a burger (and dinner is a frozen pizza), there’s a chance your bloodwork will reflect that lifestyle. And insurers will factor that into your risk rating.

Life insurance underwriters don’t just look at your age and medical history, they examine your lab results to spot early signs of chronic health issues. If your test results show elevated cholesterol, high blood sugar, or abnormal BMI, even if you haven’t been officially diagnosed with anything, insurers may assume you’re at higher risk of future illness.

The result? You may be offered a policy with higher premiums, or in some cases, you might only qualify for substandard or rated coverage.

The good news? You don’t have to give up takeout forever. But making small, consistent changes, like reducing processed meals, cooking more at home, and including more fruits, veggies, and whole grains, can make a difference over time.

If you’re planning to apply for life insurance soon, even a few months of healthier eating can help improve your lab results and possibly get you better rates. And if you’re not comfortable with a medical exam or lab tests, you can also explore no-medical or simplified issue life insurance policies, though they may come with slightly higher premiums.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How Your Habits Could Raise Your Life Insurance Premiums

Find a solution for what you’re looking for 

By becoming more mindful of your everyday habits, you not only improve your health, you also open the door to better, more affordable life insurance coverage. At Protect Your Wealth, we work with and compare policies and quotes from the best life insurance companies in Canada to ensure the best solution for you and your needs. We provide expert life insurance solutions, including no medical life insurance, critical illness insurance, term life insurance, and permanent life insurance to build the best package to give you the protection you need. 

Contact Protect Your Wealth or call us at 1-877-654-6119 to talk to an advisor today! We’re proudly based out of Hamilton, and service clients anywhere in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba including areas such as Guelph, Burnaby, Lethbridge, and Winnipeg.