Which reason may lead an underwriter to deny coverage?

An underwriter may deny coverage based on an applicant's history of alcohol abuse because this information is directly related to the risk assessment process. Insurers are particularly concerned with factors that significantly affect an individual's health and subsequent claims likelihood. A history of alcohol abuse can indicate potential for future health issues or accidents, which increases the risk for the insurer. As a result, underwriters often evaluate such history carefully, and past substance abuse can lead to higher premiums or even a denial of coverage due to the perceived elevated risks involved.

Other options include factors that either do not directly correlate with health risk or are not allowed as bases for underwriting decisions in many jurisdictions, including marital status, sex or gender, and genetic traits, highlighting the importance of assessing risk responsibly and equitably.