Life Insurance: Can Weight Impact Your Application?

Life insurance companies use an array of health and lifestyle factors to assess how risky you are to insure and determine the cost of your policy. While it's rare for insurers to decline coverage based solely on weight, it is a factor in calculating your risk. If you have severe weight-related health issues, such as limited mobility due to morbid obesity, you may be rejected for coverage. However, if you're an athlete or have a high BMI but low body fat percentage, you may be able to receive credits from an insurance company to qualify for the best life insurance ratings.

Life insurance companies use height-to-weight ratios to determine if someone is overweight or obese

Life insurance companies use height-to-weight ratios, also known as build charts, to determine if someone is overweight or obese. These ratios are used to assess an applicant's risk profile and set premiums accordingly. While the specific height-to-weight ratios vary across insurance companies, they generally serve as a guideline for determining eligibility and cost for life insurance products.

The height-to-weight ratios are often presented in the form of tables or charts, categorising applicants into different rate classes such as "Preferred Plus", "Preferred", "Standard Plus", and "Standard". Each class is associated with specific weight limits for a given height, and the pricing of the insurance policy is determined by the applicant's assigned class. For instance, a 6-foot-tall man weighing 195 pounds would be considered overweight according to a standard Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation but could still qualify for a "Preferred Plus" life insurance rating.

BMI is a key factor in the underwriting process, as it helps insurers assess an applicant's overall health and the potential risk of insuring them. A high BMI can indicate a higher risk of developing serious health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, which are associated with increased mortality risk. Therefore, life insurance companies use height-to-weight ratios in conjunction with BMI calculations to make informed decisions about an applicant's insurability.

It is important to note that height-to-weight ratios are not the sole factor in determining life insurance rates. Other factors, such as age, gender, lifestyle habits, and family medical history, also play a role in the underwriting process. Additionally, some insurance companies offer exceptions or adjustments for athletes or individuals with a high chest-to-waist ratio, recognising that BMI may not always accurately reflect an individual's health status.

A high BMI increases the risk of a serious medical issue, which can lead to higher insurance premiums

A person's body mass index (BMI) is calculated using their height and weight. While BMI is not a perfect tool, it is often used by insurance companies to assess whether someone might be a high-risk applicant due to their weight. A high BMI can indicate a higher risk of developing serious health conditions such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes, which are linked to obesity and can be life-shortening. As a result, a high BMI can lead to higher insurance premiums.

Insurance companies set rates based on how risky they determine an individual to be, and a high BMI is often seen as a risk factor for future health issues. This is because a high BMI can put a person at a higher risk of developing potentially serious and life-shortening conditions. These conditions include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and more. Obesity is also linked to a higher mortality risk. Insurance companies must determine future risk based on current information, as they cannot change premiums once a policy has been purchased.

The higher the BMI, the more life insurance is likely to cost. Insurance companies use build charts, similar to BMI calculations, to determine rating categories and the price an individual pays. While weight alone is not usually enough to result in a high-risk rating, it can be a significant factor when combined with other health issues. For example, a person with a high BMI and limited mobility due to morbid obesity may be considered high-risk.

In addition to BMI, insurance companies consider other factors such as weight-related conditions, lifestyle habits, and family medical history when setting premiums. They also take into account age, sex, and other health factors like blood pressure and cholesterol. While a high BMI can lead to higher premiums, it is unlikely to result in a rejection of coverage unless there are severe weight-related health issues. Insurance companies may also make exceptions for athletes or fit individuals with a high BMI but a low body fat percentage.

Being overweight alone doesn't typically disqualify someone from a low life insurance rate

Being Overweight Doesn't Typically Disqualify You From a Low Life Insurance Rate

Life insurance companies use a variety of health and lifestyle factors to assess how risky you are to insure and determine the cost of your policy. While weight is a factor in calculating your risk, it's rare for insurers to decline coverage based solely on weight.

Each insurer has its own height-to-weight table, also called a build chart, which is similar to a Body Mass Index (BMI) chart. Based on where you fall on that table or chart, as well as your health history, the insurance company will assign you a health classification.

Health classifications are categories meant to depict different levels of insurance risk. They also determine how much you'll pay for your policy. People with fewer or milder health conditions and height-to-weight ratios that fall within the company's guidelines for what is considered a normal weight are usually assigned better health classifications and lower rates.

If you have a high BMI but no severe weight-related health issues, such as limited mobility due to morbid obesity, you're unlikely to be rejected for coverage. If you're an athlete or have a high BMI but a low body fat percentage, you may even be able to receive credits from an insurance company to qualify for the best life insurance ratings.

However, the higher your body weight and BMI, the more your term life insurance is going to cost, regardless of the company. The cutoff point and other factors for each rating category are different between companies. For example, a 200-pound man who is considered overweight might get a "Preferred" rating from one company but a "Standard" rating from another.

Insurance companies may make exceptions to their weight and BMI guidelines for athletes or fit people with a high chest-to-waist ratio. The weight tables are only approximate guidelines because companies don't want to exclude people who are very fit despite having a high BMI. If there's a healthy reason for your BMI being outside the expected range, notify the company when applying so they can confirm whether you qualify for a "Preferred" rating.

Life insurance companies set rates based on how risky they determine you to be or how likely you are to die during the policy's term. Many conditions linked to obesity increase your mortality risk, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea. Even if you don't currently have one of these conditions, a high BMI increases your risk of developing a serious medical issue later.

If you need life insurance, it's best to apply and get the coverage you need as soon as possible. Waiting until you reach a weight that might give you access to lower rates is rarely a good option because it leaves your family unprotected. In many cases, if your BMI falls into the overweight category but you don't have any health conditions, you'll be able to find an affordable policy.

People with a high BMI are unlikely to receive a Preferred Plus rating

Life insurance companies use health and lifestyle factors to assess how risky an individual is to insure and determine the cost of their policy. These factors include any current or historical health conditions, family history of medical conditions, and height-to-weight ratio. If an individual's height-to-weight ratio falls within the range that a life insurance company considers overweight, they may have to pay more for life insurance than someone with the same health profile but a different height-to-weight ratio.

Each insurer has its own height-to-weight table, also called a build chart, which is similar to a Body Mass Index (BMI) chart. Based on where an individual falls on that table or chart, as well as their health history, the insurance company will assign them a health classification. These health classifications are categories meant to depict different levels of insurance risk and determine how much the individual will pay for their policy.

People with fewer or milder health conditions and height-to-weight ratios that fall within the company's guidelines for what is considered a normal weight are usually assigned better health classifications and lower rates. Conversely, people with more complex health conditions or a height-to-weight ratio that might fall outside the company's guidelines for normal weight might be assigned a lower health classification and higher rates.

It is important to note that BMI is widely recognised as flawed when it comes to assessing health. While it can be a valuable tool in estimating an individual's weight for insurance purposes, it does not replace the need for a personal medical assessment and ongoing care if required.

Additionally, weight is not the only factor that insurance companies consider when determining rates. Other factors that can impact the cost of life insurance include weight-related conditions, lifestyle habits such as drinking and smoking, and family medical history.

Life insurance companies use their own height/weight matrix, which can be more inclusive than the CDC's BMI chart

Life insurance companies use a person's height and weight to determine their body mass index (BMI), which is an indicator of their body's bone, muscle, and fat composition. This, in turn, helps determine whether or not an applicant is overweight and the associated health risks. While many companies still use height/weight charts, some have switched to BMI charts, and others have stopped publishing guidelines altogether in favour of an overall approach to build.

Life insurance companies set rates based on how risky they determine an applicant to be or how likely they are to die during the policy's term. Many conditions linked to obesity increase an applicant's mortality risk, such as heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea. Even if an applicant doesn't currently have one of these conditions, a high BMI increases their risk of developing a serious medical issue later.

Each insurer has its own underwriting process, which is how they assess an applicant's risk profile. Some insurers are more flexible about certain health conditions than others. While a high BMI can be a valuable tool in assessing weight for insurance purposes, it does not replace the need for a personal medical assessment and ongoing care.

Life insurance companies use their own height/weight matrix, which can differ in several ways from the CDC's BMI chart:

• The CDC's BMI chart is a general guideline, whereas life insurance companies have their own unique build charts with varying height and weight limits for each life insurance classification.
• Life insurance companies' build charts are more lenient for older applicants, especially those aged 60 and above.
• Some life insurance companies use unisex build charts, which are favourable to women who may be a few pounds over their ideal weight since the range of acceptable height-to-weight ratios is higher for men.
• Life insurance companies' build charts are more flexible for applicants who are only slightly over the weight limit, especially if they have no other health issues.
• Some life insurance companies offer more lenient cut-offs for applicants who are healthy in other ways, such as having a consistent exercise regimen or well-controlled cholesterol levels.
• Life insurance companies' build charts are not always unisex and may differ based on gender.

Frequently asked questions