Life Insurance for Overweight People - A Quick Guide

Having any form of health condition may affect the type of life insurance you can take out, and the price you may have to pay for the cover you need. Being overweight is a particular condition that’s considered ‘high risk’ as it can lead to other health problems such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but it’s also one that’s very common.

An NHS report, published in 2019, on obesity statistics said that the majority of adults in England (64%), are either overweight or obese.

So when it comes to life insurance for the obese, it’s a condition that most providers are familiar with, though they may not all offer it.

The best way for overweight individuals to find life insurance is to shop around and this is something we can help you with.

Can you take out life insurance if you are obese?

Yes, it is possible to get life insurance if you are overweight or obese. What makes it different to ordinary life insurance is that the provider will be aware of the implications of your health condition so their cover will reflect this.

Typically you can expect to pay a higher premium due to the associated health risks of being overweight. Although you might find some slight variation, generally speaking, life insurance for overweight males is similar to what’s on offer for females. Factors other than gender are more likely to affect your policy and this is usually your age, occupation and medical history.

Subject to the rest of your medical history, some providers may add exclusions to the policy.

It’s worth noting that there are providers who will change their policy on life insurance for obese people according to how your weight changes, so if you lose weight while you have a policy you should be able to lower the rate you pay. You may need to show a doctor’s certificate to prove this weight-loss.

Can I get life insurance with a high Body Mass Index?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement of the ratio between your height and weight.

A BMI of around 18-24 is considered the average measurement. If you’re higher than 25 this would be considered overweight by the NHS.

Having a high BMI won’t stop you from being able to get life insurance and most providers can offer cover on standard terms with a BMI as high as 28, some even up to 30.

Insurers use a chart that works out what your height to weight ratio is so you can find out your BMI. You can also use a BMI calculator. It will tell you what your BMI is so you can find out if you’re overweight and, if so, by how much.

Is there life insurance for the morbidly obese?

Anyone with a BMI of 40 is considered morbidly obese. This doesn’t mean you can’t get life insurance but fewer providers will consider you and you’re likely to pay higher premiums for it. It’s likely the closer scrutiny will be made of your lifestyle and medical history.

If you’re morbidly obese it’s best to speak to a life insurance expert who is experienced in this area as they’ll be knowledgeable on the options that are available.

Make an enquiry and we’ll match you with an advisor who can help. You may find from talking to them that there are other options available to you – some people find that their needs are met through alternative types of cover such as critical illness cover.

Are there weight limits?

This varies between providers as they’re likely to have different minimum and maximum BMI limits for their policies.

The higher the BMI the more of a risk you’re considered to be. However, there are companies that won’t necessarily ask for this much detail – some will ask about your weight and some won’t.

Remember too that weight isn’t the only factor upon which your application is assessed. Other criteria taken into account includes your age, health history and family medical history.

For example, an individual with a BMI of 35 who’s in their 50’s would likely obtain more favourable terms than the same individual in their 20’s, assuming no other medical issues.

Speak to an expert

Because there’s so much variation in policies that are offered by providers it can be time-consuming to navigate the options.

Save yourself time, hassle and money by talking to an expert who is familiar with arranging life insurance cover for obese individuals.

Need help finding one? Call 0808 189 0463 or make an enquiry for a free, no-obligation chat and we’ll match you with an advisor with the right expertise to get you the life cover you need.