What is a characteristic of a substandard risk?

A characteristic of a substandard risk is the necessity of higher premiums due to increased risk. Substandard risks refer to individuals who present a higher likelihood of claims based on their health or lifestyle factors that diverge from the standard population. Underwriting assesses these risks, and to compensate for the greater chance of loss, insurers charge higher premiums.

This approach aids in balancing the insurer's overall risk pool since substandard individuals may not fall within the typical health guidelines that standard risks do. Insurers employ this method to ensure that they can adequately cover the additional potential costs associated with insuring individuals who exhibit higher risk traits.

In contrast, choices referring to lower premiums or automatic acceptance do not accurately reflect the nature of substandard risks, as these individuals typically undergo more stringent evaluations and would not benefit from lower costs in premiums. Furthermore, average life expectancy tied to mortality tables is generally associated with standard risks, making it less applicable to substandard cases.