How to get life insurance with obesity

Can I get life insurance if I’m overweight or obese?

Yes — though you may face challenges or higher premiums, especially if you’re classified as obese.

Here’s why. If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over, you’re at a higher risk of developing health conditions that can lead to premature death — such as heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. To compensate for that risk and protect their bottom line, life insurance companies will typically raise your rates if you’re overweight or obese.

How will my insurer assess my weight?

Life insurance underwriters typically use BMI as a guide to determine whether an applicant is overweight or not. Your BMI is calculated based on the following formula:

Based on your score, you’ll be categorised as being at an ideal weight, underweight or overweight. This is the spectrum of scores:

• <15: Very severely underweight
• 15-16: Severely underweight
• 16-18: Underweight
• 18.5-25: Normal (healthy weight)
• 25-30: Overweight
• 30-35: Obese Class I (moderately obese)
• 35-40: Obese Class II (severely obese)
• 40+: Obese Class III (very severely obese)

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How does my weight affect my premium?

Every insurer has a “build chart,” which lists heights in one-inch increments, and the maximum corresponding weight an applicant can be to make it into each rate class. Your underwriter will use your BMI and the build chart to calculate your rates. Your height/weight ratio aside, your insurer will consider other factors in the underwriting process, such as your age, gender, smoking status, driving record, occupation and lifestyle habits.

Typically, the best rates are reserved for healthy people who are within healthy height/weight ranges.

If you’re overweight but don’t have any other serious health issues, you may be able to score a preferred rate. But if you’re obese, you may not be able to access the higher rate classes — meaning you’ll pay more for coverage.

How will my insurer know how much I weigh?

The life insurance application asks for your height and weight, and the insurer will confirm those numbers when you take the medical exam. Your insurer can also pull your medical records to find out whether you’ve recently gained or lost a significant amount of weight.

It’s not worth lying, either: If your insurer finds out you lied or omitted information on your application, they may cancel your policy or deny the death benefit to your loved ones.

Overall, insurers care more about your average weight than how much you weighed at a specific point in time.

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Name	Product	Issue age	Minimum Coverage	Maximum Coverage	Term Lengths	Medical Exam Required
Sproutt		18 - 100 years old	$50,000	$10,000,000	5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years	No	This life insurance broker combines technology and the human touch to match you with a policy tailored to your needs.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Ladder		20 - 60 years old	$100,000	$8,000,000	10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 years	Depends on policy	Term life insurance with no policy fees and a simple application process that can get you approved for coverage instantly.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Fabric		21 - 60 years old	$100,000	$5,000,000	10, 15, or 20 years	Depends on policy	Get affordable term life insurance with accelerated underwriting or no-exam coverage up to $1,000,000. Available in all states except CA, NY and MT.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Policygenius - Life Insurance		18 - 85 years old	$50,000	$10,000,000	10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years	Depends on provider and policy	Compare affordable quotes from 12+ A-rated life insurance companies side-by-side.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Bestow		21 - 54 years old	$50,000	$1,000,000	10 or 20 years	No	Affordable 10- and 20-year term life insurance policies with instant quotes and no medical exams.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Haven Life		18 - 64 years old	$100,000	$3,000,000	10, 15, 20, or 30 years	No exams for some applicants	Customized term life insurance policies up to $3 million, no medical exam for certain applicants.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Nationwide life insurance		40 - 95 years old	$10,000	$1,000,000	10, 15, 20 and 30 years	Yes	Get term, whole, universal or no-exam life insurance with up to $1 million in coverage.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Can life insurers deny coverage based on weight?

Each insurer has its own set of underwriting standards, and some are stricter than others. In the BMI terms, you’ll typically need to be “severely obese” or “very severely obese” and facing other health problems to be turned down for coverage.

In that case, you can explore these options for coverage:

• Guaranteed issue life insurance. These policies forgo both the medical exam and health questionnaire, and approval is guaranteed. But they’re usually capped at small amounts, like $50,000.
• Group life insurance. If your employer offers life insurance as part of your package, consider taking them up on it. There’s no medical exam, and premiums are usually subsidized.

Can you have a high BMI but still be considered healthy?

BMI can be misleading, particularly for muscular people. It doesn’t take into account how much of your weight is muscle vs. fat, which makes it a faulty measuring system for many athletic people. If you believe your BMI is an inaccurate representation of your health, you can ask your insurer to reevaluate your rates.

It’s also important to understand that BMI is not the only factor that is considered by an insurer to determine risk. Your insurer will also consider related conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol when determining your rates.

Bottom line

Life insurance can be more difficult to qualify for if you’re overweight and obese, and you’ll likely have to pay a higher premium than someone with a lower BMI. But insurers have different underwriting guidelines, so it’s worth comparing life insurance companies to find out which one will offer you the best rate.

Frequently asked questions

• Do people with a BMI above 25 always pay more for life insurance?

  No. If there is no indication of a medical issue as verified by a medical practitioner, your insurer may be able to offer you standard premium rates.

• How can I reduce my premiums if I'm overweight?

  The best way to lower your premium is to lose weight so that your BMI is in a lower category. You can also lower your premium if a doctor agrees that your current weight is not affecting your health.

  If you’ve been actively and unsuccessfully attempting to lose weight, consult with your doctor to find out if there’s an underlying cause. There are countless disorders that can affect your metabolism, many of which are treatable.

• Do insurers ever refuse to cover obese people?

  Yes. If you’re obese and/or face additional health risks because of your weight, your insurer can deny your application. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get coverage. You can apply for a policy with simplified underwriting, or consult a life insurance agent that specializes in high-risk applicants. They’ll be able to help you find an insurer that can cater to your needs.