Can an obese person get life insurance?
Can you get life insurance if you are obese?
Insurance companies assess risk meticulously, and weight plays a role in this evaluation. Being overweight or obese increases the likelihood of developing various health conditions, including…
- High Blood Pressure
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Coronary Heart Disease
- Certain Cancers
- Stroke
… as highlighted by the NHS. Additionally, living with excess weight could impact one’s quality of life and contribute to mental health issues such as depression and low self-esteem.
High BMI is often linked with a heightened risk of health issues as listed above. Consequently, applicants with a high BMI may have already encountered:
- Increased premiums: Insurers may adjust premiums upwards to accommodate the perceived increased risk associated with a high BMI.
- Exclusions within the policy: Insurers may exclude certain obesity-related conditions, such as diabetes or sleep apnoea.
- Declined policy: In severe instances, insurers may opt not to extend cover altogether, declining applications from individuals with significantly high BMIs.
However, speaking with a specialist life insurance broker will ensure that you get expert advice on which insurers offer the best cover and terms for people living with obesity.
Understanding insurer’s BMI ranges
Body Mass Index (BMI) serves as a standard metric used to classify weight status. This classification provides insurers with a framework for assessing risk.
It’s worth noting that insurers will only start to increase premiums (rate increase) for BMI levels over 30.
When it comes to life insurance, being overweight can affect premiums and policy terms. Insurers may categorise individuals based on BMI ranges, with premiums potentially escalating as BMI increases.
Specialist insurance brokers, such as The Insurance Surgery can usually find life insurance cover for individuals with a BMI of 55 or lower.
To find out your BMI try the NHS BMI calculator here:
How to get life insurance if you’re overweight
Getting life insurance when you’re overweight might be a little harder, but it’s by no means impossible. We’ve highlighted a few steps below to support the life insurance application process.
Step 1
During the life insurance application process, if an individual’s BMI is 45 or below and there are no other medical conditions, a nurse screening is not required for a life insurance application. This means it will be processed immediately. However, if the applicant’s BMI exceeds 45, a nurse screening will be required.
A life insurance adviser will ask you a series of questions regarding your age, health and lifestyle. It is essential to be prepared and, most importantly, to answer these questions honestly. Failure to disclose relevant information may render the policy invalid, leading to the denial of payouts to your family. Some of the questions you can expect include:
- Date of birth
- Health status
- Smoking and drinking habits
- Occupation
- Medical history
- Lifestyle habits
- Current weight
- Waist and dress size
Top tip: Premiums will only start to increase for individuals with a dress size of 18 + or 40-inch waist for men.
Step 2
Use a specialist insurance broker who can provide expertise in underwriting policies for individuals with pre-existing health conditions, including obesity. These brokers may have access to more favourable terms for overweight applicants.
Step 3
Depending on the individual’s circumstance, applicants may explore different policy durations. For example, a ‘term life insurance’ policy will run for 10, 20 or 30 years. As long as the premiums are paid, these policies tend to be cheaper than ‘whole of life’ which is a type of policy that runs for the rest of the applicant’s life. Policies which offer protection for a longer term are generally more expensive.
While being overweight can influence the process of obtaining life insurance, it’s not a deal-breaker. Understanding the factors at play, such as BMI classification and associated health risks, can empower individuals to navigate the process more effectively.
By working with a specialist broker like The Insurance Surgery, individuals can ensure that their application accurately reflects their unique circumstances. Our advisers use in-depth knowledge of the insurance landscape and can manage the process on behalf of clients, helping to find suitable cover at competitive rates.
To speak with a specialist life insurance broker, call 0800 083 2829 or start a live chat.
