If you're overweight, you may already have a few reasons for wanting to lose weight. You might want to shop in regular clothing stores, feel more attractive, and have more energy. Losing weight can improve your health, too. As if these reasons weren't enough motivation to lose weight, the effects of obesity on your life insurance policy can also inspire you to lose a few pounds.
Why Obesity Affects Life Insurance Rates
Life insurance is based on your risk of dying. Obesity can drive up your life insurance rates and affect your policy category because the extra pounds increase your risk for chronic conditions.
For more on broader cost and coverage implications, see Obesity, Workplace Costs and Life Insurance Risk.
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gallbladder disease
- Asthma
- Sleep apnea
- Liver disease
- Stroke
Are You Overweight?
Being as little as 10 pounds over your ideal weight increases your health risks, making life insurance more expensive and keeping you out of a preferred policy. About two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, and you can find out whether you are overweight or obese using a BMI calculator; just enter your height and weight.
If your BMI is over 30, you are considered obese, and that factor may be considered when insurers set your rates—learn more about how insurers evaluate applicants at How life insurance quotes are determined.
Make Modest Lifestyle Changes to Lose Weight
Crash diets are not fun and they usually don't lead to lasting results. For sustainable weight loss, think about small changes you can make throughout the day to eat fewer calories and add a bit more activity.
- Grab fruit instead of cookies for dessert
- Have raw cut vegetables for a crunchy snack instead of potato chips
- Serve yourself smaller portions
- Drink water instead of soda
- Go for a walk after dinner
- Choose lean meats and cut skin off of chicken before cooking it
These small changes can help you lose weight and get healthier. You'll feel better and look better, and you may be rewarded with lower life insurance rates — if you want to understand how your weight affects pricing, talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will being overweight automatically disqualify me from life insurance?
Being overweight does not automatically disqualify you, but it can raise your rates or move you out of preferred categories depending on your overall health and medical history.
How do insurers measure weight when they set rates?
Insurers commonly use BMI as a screening tool and consider weight along with other health factors, such as blood pressure and metabolic conditions.
How long after losing weight will rates improve?
Timing varies by insurer; some may consider recent weight loss if it's sustained and backed by stable medical exams, while others may require a longer history of improved health.
Can managing conditions like sleep apnea or diabetes help my life insurance rate?
Effectively managing weight-related conditions can improve overall risk and may lead to better offers, but improvement depends on the condition, treatment, and insurer underwriting rules.