Best high BMI life insurance providers
8 min
Who are the best high BMI life insurance providers in the…
Yes, you can get life insurance if you’re overweight or have a high BMI.
Generally, if your BMI is under 30 and you’re in good health, then you could be offered a policy at the standard price.
If your BMI is over 30, then this could affect the cost of your premiums, or your ability to secure a policy depending on your personal circumstances.
Comparing quotes is important for overweight individuals as BMI thresholds and premium prices will vary between different providers.
At Reassured, we offer a fee-free service that helps you find affordable deals from a panel of leading UK life insurance companies.
Our team of experts are on hand to provide support and help you arrange some form of cover, even if you’ve been declined in the past.
Continue reading this guide to learn more about arranging life insurance if you’re classified as overweight, obese or morbidly obese.
We answer some key questions including:
Life insurance can provide your loved ones with a vital financial safety net should anything happen to you.
The funds from your policy can help to cover essential costs such as:
Life insurance for overweight applicants is the same as life insurance for healthy weight applicants.
The difference is that you may pay a higher premium for some types of cover depending on your specific BMI reading.
However, many people with a high BMI have secured affordable cover through our broker service.
We do our best to help you find the right financial protection for your family, no matter your circumstances.
BMI can affect your life insurance and the cost of your policy.
Particularly with a high BMI, the price that you pay may be higher due to the increased risk of developing certain health conditions.
As part of the application process, insurers will ask for your height and weight so they can calculate your BMI (which determines your weight range - see below).
If your BMI is between 25 and 30 then you may be able to secure your chosen policy at the standard rate, depending on your health and smoking status.
If you have a BMI over 30 then you’re more likely to be considered high risk to insure and your premiums may be increased accordingly.
What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?
BMI is a measure that uses your height (in m2) and weight (in kg) to estimate the amount of body fat, which determines if you’re a healthy weight for your height. For life insurance, your BMI reading may be combined with your waist measurement (trouser or dress size) for a more accurate measure of your weight.
The table below shows the most likely outcomes of your life insurance application based on your BMI reading alone:
BMI | Weight range | Most likely outcomes |
---|---|---|
Under 18.5 | Underweight | Accepted with increased premiums or declined. May require medical screening (depending on BMI rating). Compare quotes through Reassured |
18.5 - 24.9 | Healthy Weight | Accepted with standard premiums. Premiums from £5 † a-month through Reassuredx |
25 - 29.9 | Overweight | Accepted with standard premiums. Premiums from £5 a month through Reassuredx |
30 - 39.9 | Obese | Accepted with standard premiums or increased premiums. May require medical screening (depending on age and BMI rating). Compare quotes through Reassured |
Over 40 | Morbidly Obese | Accepted with increased premiums or declined. May require medical screening (depending on BMI rating). Compare quotes through Reassured |
xFrom £5 a month quote is based on a non-smoker in good health
The tables below show some real-life examples of where we were able to help secure affordable life insurance for customers with a high BMI.
Customer outcome example 1
This customer was a 27-year old non-smoker, classified as obese. They secured life insurance from a standard insurer for just £16.42 a month through Reassured:
Details of applicant | Mr Oliver H. (Born in 1998 / Non-smoker) |
---|---|
Applicant BMI | 32.4 (6ft 2 and 18st) |
Other health / occupation details | - Family history of cardiomyopathy & polycystic kidney disease - Also works at heights over 50ft/15m |
Reason for cover | Mortgage |
Policy details | Sum assured: £466,367 Policy type: Decreasing term Term length: 40 years Provider: AIG Life |
Monthly premium | £16.42 a month |
Customer outcome example 2
This customer was a 50-year old non-smoker, classified as obese with several pre-existing conditions. They secured standard cover for just £16.17 a month through Reassured:
Details of applicant | Mrs Dianne L. (Born in 1975 / Non-smoker) |
---|---|
Applicant BMI | 36.9 (5'10 and 18.5st) |
Other health / occupation details | - Anxiety / Depression - Self harm (more than five years but less than ten years ago) - Raised blood pressure - Breast cyst - Perimenopause |
Reason for cover | Family |
Policy details | Sum assured: £20,000 Policy type: Level term Term length: 32 years Provider: Aviva |
Monthly premium | £16.17 a month |
Please note, customer names have been changed. While these customers were able to secure a policy at a price within their budget, the outcome of your own application will depend on your specific circumstances and the insurer you apply with. At Reassured, we listen to your requirements and work hard to provide you with our best available options based on your circumstances
The maximum BMI level for life insurance can go up to 45 (or 47 depending on your age) with some mainstream insurers.
Some specialist insurers can help arrange life insurance for people with a BMI up to 53.
Although other factors such as your age, health and smoking status combined with your weight can determine your eligibility.
We work with mainstream and specialist insurers, giving us a good chance of helping you find the right cover at the right price.
Contact Reassured to find out your available options and compare free quotes.
There isn’t a 'best life insurance' for overweight people as everyone has different needs and circumstances.
The policy that’s right for you will depend on your age, health, budget and what you want to help protect.
We have outlined the various policy types available below to help you decide which may be the best option for you.
The cost of life insurance for overweight will depend on your individual circumstances and the policy you choose.
With the exception of an over 50s plan, the following factors are taken into account to calculate your monthly premium:
Generally speaking, if you’re classified as overweight (and a non-smoker in good health), then you should be able to secure cover with standard terms.
This means that your monthly premiums may not be increased due to your BMI, and you’ll pay the standard rate.
Life insurance quotes with standard terms start from just £5-a-month through Reassured.
Our top tips for obtaining cheaper life insurance if you’re classified as overweight or obese are:
If you’re thinking about losing weight to lower your BMI and achieve a healthier weight range, then this could help you to secure cheaper premiums in the future.
See NHS weight loss plan for additional information and support.
Yes, life insurance for obese applicants is available with most insurers, but depending on your age and health, you’re more likely to pay a higher premium.
In some cases, insurers may require further information about your circumstances to help assess your application.
For example, insurers may want to know:
In rare cases, obese applicants may be required to undergo a medical exam, particularly if they have a pre-existing medical condition.
If you’re required to undergo a medical exam then this would be arranged at a time and date to suit you, and at the expense of the insurer.
Yes, life insurance for morbidly obese applicants is available, but you may find it more difficult to find a suitable policy.
As mentioned, some insurers have an upper BMI threshold of 45 (or 47 depending on your age); for others, it's just 40.
Other insurers will cover you if your BMI is between 38 - 45, but request that you undergo a medical exam.
If you’re considered morbidly obese and suffer from a pre-existing medical condition then you may struggle to secure cover.
In these instances, your application could be placed with a specialist insurer.
Alternatively, if you’re aged 50 - 85 then you may consider an over 50s plan.
You won’t need to disclose your weight when applying for an over 50s plan and you’re guaranteed to be accepted.
As previously mentioned, it’s unlikely that you’ll be declined life insurance purely due to your weight alone.
However, if additional health complications exist, whether this be as a result of your weight or not, you may find it more difficult to get accepted.
Some common pre-existing medical conditions which have been linked to obesity include:
This doesn’t mean there aren’t still options available to you though.
At Reassured we've a dedicated impaired life insurance team who specialise in finding cover for those who’ve been declined elsewhere.
Our team have helped find cover for people who have previously been declined due to a pre-existing condition.
Fortunately, if you’ve been refused life insurance in the past due to a high BMI, it’s still possible to secure cover now.
This is because every insurer has different BMI thresholds and levels to which they will refuse life insurance.
Alternatively, if you’re aged 50 - 85 and suffer with a medical condition then you may consider an over 50s plan, as your health or weight won’t affect your eligibility.
Getting in touch with an FCA-regulated broker, such as Reassured, can help you to discover other options which may be available to you.
From our panel of insurers we can present to you the ones who’re most likely to accept your application.
Yes, it’s possible to get critical illness cover (CIC) if you’re overweight.
CIC provides a cash pay out if you’re diagnosed with a serious but not life threatening illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke.
It’s often compared to income protection insurance, as it can help to replace an income if you’re unable to work.
Similar to life insurance, the cost of your monthly premium will depend on your specific BMI, age, smoking status and health.
If your BMI is over 30, then it’s more likely that you’ll pay inflated premiums, and some illnesses may be excluded from your cover.
If your BMI is over 40, then it may be harder to secure critical illness cover, but it’s still worth finding out your options.
Contact Reassured if you’d like to learn more about this type of policy and to compare quotes.
Alternatively, check out this comprehensive guide to critical illness cover »
Yes, you can get income protection if you’re overweight.
Like with critical illness cover, the success of your application and the cost of your premiums will depend on your specific BMI.
Income protection is a policy which provides monthly payments in the circumstance that you become too ill or injured to work.
The funds can be used to cover essential financial commitments such as mortgage repayments and bills.
For more information and to compare quotes, contact Reassured, or read this full income protection insurance guide »
Whilst it's possible to arrange life insurance cover if you're overweight, the cost can vary significantly between insurers.
Therefore, to ensure you receive the best deal available, it's recommended to compare multiple quotes.
At Reassured, our award-winning team can help you to find the best quotes from our panel of insurers, saving you time and money.
So, get in touch today and secure your loved one's financial future, whatever it may hold.
Am I overweight?
UK guidelines state that anyone with a BMI of 25 or over are considered overweight.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always the most accurate measurement as those with high muscle density, such as bodybuilders, have a particularly high BMI.
As a result, this demographic would be considered overweight, even though their fat percentage is extremely low.
In the instance of a high muscle mass distorting your BMI reading, insurers may reward you with standard rates.
Does losing weight affect life insurance?
Yes, losing weight (if you’re classified as overweight, obese or morbidly obese) could affect your life insurance options.
Losing excess weight can help to lower your BMI and, as a result, can reduce the cost of the premium you’re offered when getting a quote.
This is because having low body fat correlates with good health and living a longer life, which reduces the risk you pose to insurers.
Lowering your BMI can also help to improve some health conditions which would typically affect the cost of your life insurance.
For example, if you suffer with high blood pressure or a more serious heart condition, then your premiums would be inflated further.
Being classified as underweight can also affect life insurance. A person with a BMI of under 18.5 would be charged a higher premium due to the health risks associated with being underweight.
Life insurance after weight loss
If you have an existing policy and you've recently lost a significant amount of weight, then you may consider arranging a new policy.
This is because you may be able to secure a lower monthly premium based on your new healthier weight - depending on your current age and health.
Reviewing your existing policy and sourcing quotes will allow you to determine whether getting a new policy will offer you a saving.
Life insurance after surgical weight loss
Surgical weight loss or rapid weight loss, however, could have the opposite effect.
Arranging life insurance immediately after surgical weight loss could result in abnormally high premiums or even being declined due to your recent major operation.
It's likely your application would be deferred until you've made a full recovery.
Rapid weight loss, on the other hand, can point to underlying serious medical conditions.
As a result, you're likely to experience significant loading of your premiums or possibly even being declined.
What if I lie about my weight?
When applying for life insurance, hiding key information about yourself from the insurer is called ‘non-disclosure’.
Any form of non-disclosure will invalidate your policy and a pay out won’t be made when you pass away.
It’s important to disclose your true weight to ensure that you’re getting the right protection and ensure your policy will pay out.
As discussed, it’s possible to obtain affordable life insurance even if you have a high BMI.
You may be able to secure a lower premium than you think.
Life insurance for overweight males and females
Whilst being overweight can affect your life insurance, being male or female won’t make a difference to your application.
In 2012, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that gender can no longer be taken into account when calculating the cost of insurance premiums[2].
[1] https://www.finder.com/uk/mortgages/mortgage-statistics
[2] https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/advice/childcare-costs-how-much-do-you-pay-in-the-uk
[3] sunlife.co.uk/funeral-costs
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