BMI Can Affect Your Life Insurance Premiums

The body mass index, or BMI, is a measure of body fat. It is calculated using your height and weight measurements. If your BMI falls towards the higher end of the BMI table, your life insurance premiums can be affected.

It is a known fact that excess body fat can impact on a person’s health. The great debate for many people classed as ‘obese’ comes down to the fact that they eat well and feel good. If you fall into the obese category, you may argue that your premiums shouldn’t be affected, since you feel healthy.

Insurance companies choose to base their assessment using the BMI as a guide. They also take into account abdomen circumference, as well as other factors. With extensive research into the effects of obesity, it’s easy to see where their concerns lie.

“Research shows that overweight people are more likely to have additional health risks, short-term disability, longer absence due to illness and higher health costs compared to those with a lower BMI.” according to The Economic Costs Associated With Body Mass Index in a Workplace, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

When it comes to medical underwriting on life insurance policies, each case is assessed individually. No two applications are ever the same and each one needs to be thoroughly reviewed, to decide whether a loading needs to be added onto the premium to balance it.

If a client’s application indicates a clean bill of health except for a high BMI, they will likely be asked for a quick check examination. The reason the insurer will request this is so that they can verify there are no medical issues, such as high blood pressure. Insurers want to be able to offer their clients standard rates (or standard premiums) for their insurance, but they first have to ensure the client poses a low risk of a potential future claim.

There’s no reason for a client with a high BMI not to apply. They might get asked for a quick examination, (which is at no cost at all to the client) but could end up being offered standard rates. Each client will be offered the best terms available to them.

If you’re wondering where your BMI falls, consult the table below. Your BMI is calculated by your weight (kg), divided by your height (m), squared.

BMI range – kg/m2

• Underweight:<18.5
• Normal:18.5 to 24.9
• Overweight:25.0 to 29.9
• Obese:30.0 to 39.0
• Morbidly Obese:> 40