Life Insurance for Overweight People
Key Takeaways
- Being overweight or having a high BMI doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance.
- Insurers assess your overall health, lifestyle, and medical history rather than focusing solely on weight.
- Term life insurance is generally the most affordable option, while no-exam and guaranteed issue policies can help those with higher BMIs or prior denials get coverage.
- Losing or maintaining a healthy weight, being transparent on your application, and demonstrating long-term healthy habits can significantly improve your chances of approval.
Does Being Overweight Affect Life Insurance?
Yes, being overweight can affect your life insurance rates, but perhaps not as much as people expect. Insurers use health metrics like your height, weight, and BMI (Body Mass Index) to assess their risk.
A higher BMI can indicate an increased risk for conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, which may result in higher premiums.
People who have a BMI of 30 or above may pay higher premiums. However, maintaining good overall health, stable weight, and active lifestyle habits can improve your chances of getting better life insurance rates.
Why Insurers Look at BMI and Weight Classes
Insurers review your BMI and weight classes to understand your overall health risk and life expectancy. This helps them determine the accurate premium rates for you. Here’s how:
- BMI measures body fat in relation to height and weight, offering a quick health snapshot.
- A higher BMI may suggest a greater likelihood of conditions like heart disease or diabetes.
- Stable weight over time indicates consistent health habits and lower risk.
- Extreme BMIs, whether too high or too low, can raise underwriting concerns.
What Else Insurers Consider Besides Your Weight
When reviewing an application, insurers look at much more than just weight. They consider your overall health, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and detailed medical history. Lifestyle factors like smoking, drinking, exercise habits, and occupation also come into consideration.
Even if you have a higher BMI, staying active and maintaining good health can still earn you great rates.
Read: What Factors Impact the Cost of Your Life Insurance Premium
Can You be Denied Life Insurance for Being Overweight?
You generally won’t be denied life insurance just for being overweight. However, if your weight has led to serious issues like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, approval might be delayed or denied.
How Much Does Life Insurance Cost If You’re Overweight or Obese?
Life insurance rates for people who are overweight or obese vary based on age, BMI, health history, and policy type. Every insurance company handles underwriting differently, and the definition of “overweight” as well as rate classes may vary between insurers.
Some of the most common life insurance rate categories include Preferred Plus, Preferred, Standard Plus and Standard. The Preferred plans can suit healthier individuals while the Standard plans are for individuals with health problems.
Here’s an estimate of the annual premium rates for a male seeking $500,000 in coverage for a 20-year no medical life policy:2
| Age | Standard Rates | Preferred Rates |
|---|---|---|
20 years | $379/year | $264/year |
30 years | $403/year | $277/year |
40 years | $643/year | $415/year |
50 years | $1,506/year | $976/year |
What Types of Life Insurance Work Best for Overweight Applicants?
Being overweight doesn’t automatically make it hard to get life insurance. The right type of policy can make approval easier and help you find affordable coverage that fits your needs.
Term vs. Whole Life: Which Is Easier to Get Approved For?
For most people, term life insurance is the simpler and more affordable option. It offers coverage for a set period of time, such as 10, 20, or 30 years, and usually involves a faster, less intensive approval process.
Whole life insurance provides lifelong protection and builds cash value, but insurers may review health details more closely, and the premiums are generally higher.
No-Exam Life Insurance for People with High BMI
If you prefer to avoid a medical exam, no-exam life insurance like simplified issue or guaranteed issue policy can be a convenient choice. Simplified issue policies rely on basic health questions instead of medical tests.
If you’ve been turned down by traditional insurers, guaranteed issue life insurance can still provide coverage. It doesn’t require medical exams or health questionnaires.
Read: Advantages of Life Insurance
Expert Tip
Will I get better life insurance rates if I lose weight before applying?
It depends on your overall health. Losing some weight before applying could help you qualify for lower life insurance rates if it also improves your overall health (like blood pressure or cholesterol levels). Insurers usually check your height, weight, and BMI when reviewing your application, and a healthier range can make you appear less risky. Keeping the weight off for several months also shows stability, which strengthens your overall health profile.
Senior Director Life Underwriting
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Approved
Getting approved for life insurance can be easier when you focus on building healthy, consistent habits. Here’s how you can typically improve your chances:
- Maintain a healthy weight by following a balanced diet and regular exercise routine.
- Monitor your blood pressure and cholesterol through routine health checkups.
- Quit smoking and reduce alcohol consumption to lower overall health risks.
- Stay physically active to demonstrate long-term commitment to wellness.
Provide honest and accurate information on your application to avoid delays or denials.
FAQs on Life Insurance for Overweight People
Yes, you can typically still get life insurance if you’re obese or have a high BMI. Many insurers offer coverage for applicants across different weight ranges. While premiums may be higher, maintaining good overall health can help you secure affordable protection.
Your BMI helps insurers understand how your weight relates to overall health. A higher BMI can suggest greater risk for conditions like heart disease or diabetes, which may raise premiums. Applicants with a balanced BMI, strong health indicators, and active lifestyles usually qualify for lower life insurance rates.
Yes, most insurers distinguish between being overweight and being obese. Applicants who are overweight may see only slight premium increases, while individuals who are obese may face closer health reviews and higher rates.
No, gaining weight after purchasing life insurance doesn’t affect your policy or premiums. Once your coverage is approved, your rates are locked in. However, significant weight changes could matter later if you apply for new coverage or renew your existing policy.
Not always. Whether you need a medical exam depends on the type of policy and the insurer’s guidelines. Some insurance companies require exams for higher BMIs, while others offer no medical exam policies that rely on health questionnaires instead.
For people who are overweight or obese, term life insurance may be the simplest option since it’s affordable and straightforward. If medical exams are a concern, simplified issue or guaranteed issue policies can also provide coverage, though they often come with higher premiums.
You may pay slightly more if you’re overweight, but being otherwise healthy can work in your favor. Insurers look at your overall health, not just your weight. A balanced blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and lifestyle habits can help you qualify for better life insurance rates.
Author
Chief Underwriter
Expert review
Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer
Nov 05, 2025
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