What might a health and life insurance company assess before issuing a policy?

A health and life insurance company focuses primarily on the policyholder's age and health status because these factors directly impact the risk of insuring an individual. Age is a critical metric, as it often correlates with life expectancy and health outcomes. For example, younger individuals typically pose a lower risk and may be charged lower premiums, while older individuals may have higher premiums due to an increased risk of health issues.

Health status is equally important; insurance companies assess pre-existing conditions, current health challenges, and lifestyle choices such as smoking or alcohol consumption, which can significantly affect health and longevity. This assessment helps the insurer determine policy terms, coverage amounts, and premium rates, ensuring that the policy matches the individual's risk profile effectively.

In contrast, while elements such as home address, marital status, and credit history can provide context about an individual, they do not directly influence the underwriting process in the same way that health and age do. Thus, they are less critical in determining eligibility and premium rates for life and health insurance policies.