Overweight & Life Insurance

We appreciate that being overweight is something that many people experience. Some people are happy having an extra few pounds, and others want to take steps to lose weight.

I used to be significantly overweight, one doctor even said clinically obese, due to an undiagnosed medical condition. When you speak to one of my team, there will be no judgement over why you are overweight.

Being overweight can sometimes affect the types of life insurance that you can apply for, and our advisers will help you choose the right insurer for you. 

Things we need to know:

• What is your current height and weight?
• Is your higher BMI caused by another medical condition?

Overweight life insurance applications can often be accepted at standard terms, for people with a BMI score of 33-36 (depending on age). Some insurers will increase the premium once someone

It can sometimes be tricky finding the right insurer on your own. Insurers consider your height, weight, your age and some might offer incentives to people that are taking active steps to eat more healthily and exercise more.

When considering life insurance, overweight people with a BMI of over 36, are likely to see price increases with most insurers.

Life insurers are often better with higher BMIs, the older you get. That is because it is seen to be quite a natural process to gain weight as we age.

When you have a BMI of 50 or over you will need to place your application with a specialist life insurance provider.

It might be that your higher BMI is due to having a higher muscle mass, due to your fitness. If this is the case, then it will be a good idea to speak with the insurer, so that they can take this into account when reviewing your application.

Critical illness cover pays out a cash lump sum of money, if you are diagnosed with a medical condition that is listed in the insurer’s claims set e.g. cancer, heart attack, stroke.

When applying for critical illness cover, overweight people can often find policies when they a BMI up to 45. Some insurers will start to increase the policy premiums for BMIs of 30 and over.

A high BMI will generally start to affect critical illness policy premiums once you reach a score of 33. Your age will also affect the way that your application is reviewed.

In general you will find that insurers will provide standard terms to individuals with a BMI of 33 or under (above 17).

If you have a BMI of 45 or over, critical illness cover is not currently available with standard insurance providers.

There are some specialist critical illness policies that might be available to you, and there are sometimes options through employers too.

Please request a quotation and our advisers will support you.

Income protection pays you a replacement of your monthly income, if you are unable to work due to ill health.

Income protection applications for people who have a high BMI might be available at standard terms, up to a BMI of 36. Some insurers start increasing the premiums when your BMI is 30 or more.

It is really important to find the right insurer for you, that gives the best terms for people with a higher BMI.

Insurers will want to know your height, weight, your age, and if you being overweight is caused by another condition. If your higher BMI is caused by another condition such as diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome, the insurer will want to know more details about them.

A BMI of 45 or over will probably lead many standard insurers to decline your income protection application. There are some specialist insurance providers that we can speak to on your behalf.

GET AN INCOME PROTECTION QUOTE

For people with a high BMI who are struggling to secure income protection a different policy called Accident, Sickness and Unemployment cover could be more suitable. An accident, sickness and unemployment policy pays out a monthly replacement for your income for a short time period (between 12 and 24 months). You can make a claim on the policy if you are unable to work due to injury, disability or involuntary redundancy.

The policies are not medically underwritten so your BMI will play no part in the acceptance terms of your cover. However if you do make a claim on the policy any inability to work due to existing medical conditions (your high BMI) will not be accepted.

GET AN ACCIDENT, SICKNESS AND UNEMPLOYMENT QUOTE

Are you overweight and going on holiday? Make sure that your travel insurance provides full cover for your journey. Visit our dedicated travel insurance page for more details here.