Which of the following is likely to increase life insurance premiums?

Choosing to indicate that a decrease in health status is likely to increase life insurance premiums is accurate for several reasons. Insurance companies assess risk based on an applicant's health history and current health status, as this directly impacts the likelihood of needing to pay out a claim. When an applicant has a decrease in health status, it signifies a higher risk for the insurer. This higher risk typically results in increased premiums, as the insurer needs to cover that potential for greater loss.

In contrast, a positive change in lifestyle habits typically correlates with a lower risk profile, which could lead to decreased premiums. A younger age of the applicant is generally associated with lower premiums, as younger individuals are statistically less likely to pass away compared to older applicants. Lastly, while an increase in the policy's face amount does impact the overall cost of the policy, this is more about the coverage amount rather than the risk assessment of the applicant's health or lifestyle. Thus, the most direct link to premium increases comes from a decrease in health status.