When it comes to buying a life insurance policy, there are many factors that impact your application and premiums, and one of the most significant is your Body Mass Index (BMI).
If you have a high BMI and you’re wondering whether you’ll be accepted for life insurance, the short answer is yes—but with some caveats.
While having a higher BMI could limit the number of providers willing to offer you coverage, it doesn’t make obtaining life insurance impossible. Various insurers have different criteria and thresholds for what they’ll consider accepting, and some specialise in providing policies for individuals with higher BMIs.
In this article, we’ll explore how your BMI can affect your life insurance options, what limitations you might face, and tips for finding the best coverage for your needs.
Read on or jump to a specific section:
- Can I get life insurance with a high BMI?
- Why does having a high BMI impact my ability to get life insurance?
- What if my BMI changes during the term of my policy?
- Which providers are more likely to accept my application?
- How do I make sure I’m getting the right cover?
Can I get life insurance with a high BMI?
As we briefly mentioned, you can get life insurance even with a high BMI. You’ll be glad to know that insurers recognise BMI is just one measure of health and does not provide a complete picture of an individual’s overall well-being.
While a high BMI might place you in a higher risk category, resulting in potentially higher premiums or requiring you to undergo additional medical evaluations, it doesn’t automatically disqualify you from obtaining coverage.
Many insurance companies also understand that factors such as muscle mass, genetics and overall lifestyle can influence BMI. As a result, most offer tailored policies to accommodate various health profiles.
By shopping around and comparing different insurers, it’s highly likely that you’ll find a policy that meets your needs and provides the financial security you’re looking for, regardless of your BMI.
See also: Can I get life insurance with pre-existing medical conditions
Why does having a high BMI impact my ability to get life insurance?
It’s understandable that it can feel discouraging to hear that your BMI might affect your ability to get life insurance. However, it’s important to know that insurance companies base their decisions on verified data to assess associated risks with a variety of health conditions and considerations.
A high BMI is often linked to health issues like heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, which can lead to higher medical costs and a shorter lifespan. These potential risks make insurers cautious, leading to stricter requirements or higher premiums for those with a higher BMI.
But please try to remember, these requirements and premiums are a judgment on you as a person, but just a business decision based on health statistics.
And, despite this, many insurers are willing to consider your overall health and lifestyle, giving you opportunities to find the right coverage for your needs.
What if my BMI changes during the term of my policy?
If you already have a life insurance policy in place, a change in your BMI typically does not affect the terms of your existing coverage.
Any premiums or benefits that you agreed upon at the time of signing your policy remain unchanged, regardless of fluctuations in your weight. This means that if your BMI increases or decreases during the term of your policy, your current coverage will continue as it is.
However, if you have experienced significant changes in your BMI since taking out your policy and have decided to apply for additional coverage or a new policy, insurers are likely to re-evaluate your health status, which will typically include your current BMI.
An increase might result in higher premiums or more stringent terms. However, any decrease in BMI could potentially reduce your premiums if your new BMI falls within a healthier range.
So, if you have previously taken out specialist life insurance due to your high BMI, but you have since lost weight, leading you to fall within the ‘healthy’ range, you might want to consider cancelling your current policy and taking out a new, non-specialist one.
Which providers are more likely to accept my application?
As we have mentioned throughout this article, in recent years, specialist insurance companies have emerged, offering life coverage to those with medical conditions/considerations who would have previously struggled to obtain life insurance.
Therefore, while some standard providers might accept applications from those with a high BMI (particularly the lower end of high), specialist insurers are the most likely, particularly for those who fall into the obese or morbidly obese categories.
One example of these types of providers is Pulse, a company that specialises in providing cover where other insurance may not.
See also: Can I get life insurance with a mental health condition?
How do I make sure I’m getting the right cover?
If you have a high BMI and you’re concerned about whether you’ll be able to obtain the right life insurance, here are some steps you can take to make sure you’ve got the right financial protection:
- Research and compare providers: Don’t just purchase the first policy that you qualify for.
- Speak to a specialist broker: Specialist brokers aren’t just more likely to accept you’re application, they’re also more likely to understand your specific concerns and frustrations.
- Be honest in your application: The more honest you are about your current health status, the more suitable coverage you’ll be offered.
- Evaluate your needs: Assess your financial needs and goals to determine the amount of coverage you require to ensure your loved ones are adequately protected should the worst happen.
And, if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve partnered with Pulse to offer more people with high BMIs and other medical conditions the insurance they need. You can take a look at the Life Insurance with Pre-Existing Medical Conditions here.
Pulse specialises in providing life insurance to those who might otherwise struggle to get the coverage they need, offering tailored policies that cater to your unique needs and making sure your family gets the financial security they need should the worst happen.
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