Healthy Weights: Life Insurance And You

Life insurance companies use height and weight underwriting guidelines to determine your rate class. These guidelines are important factors that life insurance companies use to assess your overall health and determine your eligibility and risk. While being overweight does not automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance, it might affect your rate and the type of policy you qualify for. Your height-to-weight ratio will determine if you qualify and what price you'll pay.

Height-to-weight ratio

When applying for life insurance, you will have to meet certain underwriting guidelines to qualify. Your height-to-weight ratio, also known as your Body Mass Index (BMI), is a critical factor that insurance companies use to assess your eligibility and the price you will pay.

Insurance companies use height and weight tables, or "build charts", to determine your rate class and premium amount. These build charts are based on the fact that poor height and weight ratios can lead to other, more serious, health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke – all of which increase the risk for a life insurance company.

The height-to-weight ratio is used to determine your BMI, which is an indicator of your body's bone, muscle, and fat composition. This, in turn, helps insurance companies determine whether or not you are overweight.

While the specific height-to-weight ratios that insurance companies use are not publicly available, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute categorises a BMI of 18.4-24.9 as a "healthy weight", a BMI of 25.0-29.9 as "overweight", and a BMI of 30 and above as "obese".

It is important to note that insurance companies all have different height and weight charts and limitations, and being overweight does not automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance. If you are overweight but otherwise healthy, you will likely qualify for a policy with a relatively low rate. However, if you have weight-related or other health complications, you may have to pay more for coverage.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI classifications are as follows:

• Underweight: Below 18.5
• Healthy weight: 18.4–24.9
• Overweight: 25.0–29.9
• Class 1 (Mild obesity): BMI 30.0 to 34.9
• Class 2 (Moderate obesity): BMI 35.0 to 39.9
• Class 3 (Severe obesity): BMI 40.0 or higher

However, BMI is not the only factor that determines eligibility and rates for life insurance. Most insurers also reference their own "build charts", which are more flexible than standard BMI tables. These can be more lenient, especially for individuals with a higher muscle-to-fat ratio who might be classified as "overweight" by BMI but are actually in good health.

In addition to BMI, insurers consider other health metrics to understand an applicant's potential risk as a policyholder. Excess weight can be linked to serious health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, higher weight can signal higher risks, potentially resulting in higher premiums.

Other factors that influence life insurance rates include:

• Medical exams and records: Most policies require a medical exam or review of health history, including measurements like blood pressure and lab results to check for conditions that sometimes correlate with weight, such as cholesterol levels and blood sugar.
• Family medical history: A family history of certain conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, can influence rates.
• Lifestyle habits: Smoking, alcohol consumption, and stress levels play significant roles in health outcomes and can contribute to premium rates.
• Existing weight-related conditions: Conditions linked with higher weight, like sleep apnea, heart disease, or joint issues, can further impact rates.

While BMI is an important factor in determining life insurance eligibility and rates, it is just one of many considerations in the underwriting process.

Weight-related health complications

Life insurance companies use height-to-weight ratios, or build charts, to determine an individual's eligibility and the price they will pay for coverage. While being overweight does not automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance, it might affect your rate and the type of policy you qualify for. Weight is one of the many factors used by life insurers to determine eligibility and risk.

Being overweight or obese can lead to various health complications, including:

• Fatty liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Losing 3% to 5% of body weight may help reduce fat in the liver.
• Gallbladder diseases, such as gallstones and cholecystitis. Obesity increases the risk of developing gallstones, and losing weight quickly can also increase this risk.
• Pancreatic diseases, such as inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). Obesity and high levels of fat in the blood increase the risk of pancreatitis.
• Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when blood glucose is too high. Nearly 9 in 10 people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. Over time, high blood glucose can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye problems, nerve damage, and other health issues. Losing 5% to 7% of body weight may help prevent or delay diabetes.
• High blood pressure or hypertension. Being overweight or obese can increase blood pressure because the heart needs to pump harder to supply blood to all cells. Losing weight may help lower blood pressure and prevent related health problems.
• Heart disease, including heart attack, heart failure, angina, and abnormal heart rhythm. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and high blood glucose, which can lead to heart disease. Losing weight may help lower these risk factors.
• Stroke, which occurs when a blood vessel in the brain or neck is blocked or bursts. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of stroke by raising blood pressure. Losing weight may help lower blood pressure and other risk factors for stroke, including high blood glucose and high blood cholesterol.
• Metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions, including high levels of triglycerides, blood glucose, and low levels of HDL cholesterol, that increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
• Certain types of cancer. Being overweight or obese may increase the risk of developing cancers such as colon, rectum, and prostate cancer in men, and breast, uterus, and gallbladder cancers in women.
• Respiratory issues, such as asthma and breathing problems. Obesity can increase the risk of developing asthma and make it more challenging to manage the condition. Losing weight can improve asthma management.
• Osteoarthritis, a condition causing pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced motion in joints. Being overweight or obese puts extra pressure on joints and cartilage, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis. Losing weight may decrease stress on joints and improve symptoms.
• Gout, a type of arthritis causing pain and swelling in joints due to the buildup of uric acid crystals. Losing weight may help prevent and treat gout.
• Sleep apnea, which occurs when the upper airway becomes blocked during sleep, causing irregular breathing or temporary cessation of breathing. Obesity is a common cause of sleep apnea, and losing weight may help reduce or eliminate this condition.
• Sexual function problems, such as erectile dysfunction in males and decreased sexual desire, arousal difficulties, and pain during intercourse in females. Losing weight and improving physical activity may help reduce these sexual function problems.
• Mental health problems, including depression, and a negative impact on quality of life due to weight-related bias at school and work. Losing weight has been found to improve body image, self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of depression.

Build charts

The BMI categories are as follows:

• Underweight: Below 18.5
• Healthy weight: 18.4–24.9
• Overweight: 25.0–29.9
• Obesity: BMI of 30 and above

Each insurance company will have its own build chart, and these will differ slightly. For example, a person who is 5'10" could weigh up to 229 pounds and still qualify for the best rate class through eFinancial's RAPIDecision® Life feature, but another company may have a lower maximum weight for this rate class.

Some companies use unisex build charts, while others have separate charts for men and women. For instance, a unisex height and weight table gives women more flexibility in terms of a higher, yet still acceptable, weight.

If an individual falls outside the height and weight parameters of a build chart, they may still qualify for coverage but will likely pay more for the same level of protection.

| Height | Weight |

|---|---|

| 5'0" | 100-135 lbs |

| 5'1" | 100-138 lbs |

| 5'2" | 105-143 lbs |

| 5'3" | 110-148 lbs |

| 5'4" | 115-153 lbs |

| 5'5" | 120-158 lbs |

| 5'6" | 125-163 lbs |

| 5'7" | 130-168 lbs |

| 5'8" | 135-173 lbs |

| 5'9" | 140-178 lbs |

| 5'10" | 145-183 lbs |

| 5'11" | 150-188 lbs |

| 6'0" | 155-193 lbs |

| 6'1" | 160-198 lbs |

| 6'2" | 165-203 lbs |

| 6'3" | 170-208 lbs |

| 6'4" | 175-213 lbs |

| 6'5" | 180-218 lbs |

| 6'6" | 185-223 lbs |

| 6'7" | 190-228 lbs |

Premium rates

The height-to-weight ratio is assessed using a build chart, which outlines the maximum weight for a given height that qualifies for each rate class. These build charts vary by company and product, with some companies using unisex charts, while others have separate charts for males and females. The rate classes, from best to worst, are typically:

• Preferred Plus: For people in excellent health with no history of medical issues.
• Preferred: For those with minor medical issues or a family history of moderate conditions but are otherwise healthy.
• Standard Plus: For individuals in good health but with a negative family history or a single condition that prevents them from qualifying for Preferred.
• Standard: For people of average health who may have common but manageable issues such as high cholesterol or blood pressure.
• Table Ratings: For high-risk applicants.

While being overweight can push an applicant into a higher rate class, it doesn't automatically disqualify them from getting life insurance. If an individual is overweight but otherwise healthy, they can often qualify for a policy with a relatively low rate. Additionally, insurance companies may make exceptions for athletes or fit people with a high chest-to-waist ratio, as they don't want to exclude very fit people who have a high BMI.

To get the best life insurance rates, it is recommended to be honest about your health and lifestyle during the application process. Lying about your weight can be considered fraud and may result in the cancellation of the policy or denial of claims. It is also beneficial to shop around and compare rates from different insurance companies, as each company has its own unique underwriting guidelines and rate classes.

Frequently asked questions