Which of the following factors can directly influence insurance rates for policyholders?

Marital status is a significant factor that directly influences insurance rates for policyholders. Insurance companies often analyze statistical data that reveals how different marital statuses correlate with risk levels. Research has shown that married individuals tend to be less risk-prone than singles, leading insurers to offer lower rates to married couples. This adjustment reflects the perceived stability and responsibility that marriage can imply.

In terms of the other factors mentioned, while age and gender can also impact insurance rates, they are often addressed in broader demographic categories rather than as standalone factors like marital status. Interest rates, on the other hand, primarily affect the profitability of insurers and loan costs, but do not directly influence individual insurance premiums in the same way that personal circumstances do. Therefore, marital status stands out as a direct influence on the rates policyholders face.