Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition in which the airways suddenly and unexpectedly constrict, causing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and a tightening of the chest.
"There are asthma deaths, but for individuals who are under good medical care, that would be a rare circumstance," says Goldstein.
An underwriter's concern about asthma would likely rise in relation to the severity of the condition and how well it is managed.
Should an asthma sufferer aspire to a premium rate class? Absolutely, says Goldstein.
"An individual who has well-controlled asthma could well be a preferred underwriting risk. For the most part, asthma will be extremely favorably underwritten," she says.
"On the other hand, although we hardly ever see this, if someone who has asthma is ending up in the hospital several times a year, that would be a less favorable risk."