BMI and Insurance

When you are arranging life insurance, critical illness cover, most income protection policies and some private medical insurances, the insurer is going to want to know your BMI.

For the main part, if your BMI falls within the range of 17 to 40 you should be able to look at placing your cover on the standard market. If your BMI falls outside of this then you will probably need to look at specific insurers for your needs.

• BMI under 17 – can sometimes be linked to anorexia, bulimia, overactive thyroid, cancer, depression, body dysmorphic disorder.
• BMI over 40 – can be linked to bodybuilding, type 2 diabetes, underactive thyroid, Prader-Willi syndrome, those waiting for gastric bypass surgery.

The main things that the insurers are going to ask you is your height and weight, and if they have fluctuated significantly over the last year or so. You may also be asked for your trouser/dress size and your waist measurement.

There are options for life insurance, critical illness cover, income protection and private medical insurance at all ranges of BMI. You may just find that if you are outside of the 17-40 range that you need to look at more specialised insurance providers.

There are specific insurances available that can support and offer financial incentives if you are trying to live a healthy lifestyle.

BMI conditions:

• High BMI
• Overweight
• Underweight

If you would like to view our Advent Calendar, click here.