Life insurance with high BMI

BMI is a measure that uses your height and weight to estimate whether your weight is within a healthy range. It's calculated by dividing a person's height by their weight. ^{Footnote [1]}  

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Healthy weight: BMI 18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight: BMI 25 to 29.9
• Obese range: BMI 30 to 39.9
• Severely obese range: BMI 40 or above

If you have an Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean family background, you'll need to use a lower BMI score to measure overweight and obesity.

• 23 to 27.4 - you're in the overweight range
• 27.5 or above - you're in the obese range

BMI could significantly impact life insurance premiums and cover options. 

Insurers use BMI to help them figure out your risk level, which affects how much you will pay for life insurance. Generally, the higher your BMI, the higher the risk you may present to the insurer, which in turn can lead to higher premiums. However, insurers also consider other factors like age, medical history, and smoking status when looking at your risk.

It's worth shopping around and comparing different insurers, as each company has its own criteria for evaluating BMI and risk.

As with assessing someone with high BMI, underwriting takes a holistic view with low BMI. So while BMI is one factor, it’s considered alongside your overall health, lifestyle, and medical history. If your low BMI is due to a naturally slim build and you’re otherwise healthy, you may still be eligible for standard cover. However, if its linked to underlying health conditions or the weight loss has been very recent, we might ask for a bit more information to ensure we’re offering the right protection for you.

Yes, it’s possible to be initially refused life insurance if your BMI is too high. Insurers may consider a high BMI to be too much risk to take on.

However, being initially refused cover is not the only outcome, and if you're refused, there are often alternatives. Some insurers specialise in covering high-risk individuals and may offer policies tailored to those with a high BMI. These policies might have higher premiums or specific terms and conditions.

You can also take steps to improve your health by losing weight, exercising regularly, and maintaining a balanced diet, which can positively impact your BMI and overall health. This could lead to better insurance terms in the future.

Here are some tips to help you get the right policy for you:

• Shop around for the best deal and compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best prices and terms that suit your needs.
• Provide complete and accurate information about your BMI and medical information to avoid potential problems with claiming in the future.
• Choose an experienced insurer who often works with people who have a high BMI, as they can offer more tailored cover options.