What is an important underwriting principle of group life insurance?

In group life insurance, an essential underwriting principle is that everyone within the defined group must be covered. This principle promotes inclusivity and risk sharing, as it allows the insurer to manage risk more effectively by spreading it across a larger pool of individuals.

By covering all members of the group regardless of their individual health status, the insurance provider can balance the higher costs associated with those who may have health issues against the contributions from healthier individuals. This approach also helps to eliminate potential discrimination based on health conditions, ensuring that no individual is excluded from coverage simply due to personal health factors.

In many cases, this principle is tied to the concept of "guaranteed issue," where insurers provide coverage without requiring individual medical exams or health information, thus facilitating broader access to necessary financial protections for all group members.