Life Insurance for Overweight People

It may come as a surprise, but your weight can impact the rates you receive for life insurance.

The good news is that even if you are overweight or obese, you can still secure life insurance coverage. 

Keep reading to discover tips on how overweight applicants can obtain coverage at the most affordable rates possible.

QUICK LINK NAVIGATION

Life Insurance for Overweight People   Life Insurance Height and Weight Chart

Life insurance companies consider several factors when evaluating applicants for coverage, including age, build, gender, health condition, and lifestyle choices such as smoking habits and occupation.

If you are reasonably healthy, you may qualify for one of the three preferred rate classes with lower premiums.

Here are the maximum weight guidelines required to receive a discount on your coverage.

Life insurance weight chart 

  PPP S+ S
5’0″142161169198
5’1″145166175205
5’2″147171178211
5’3″150177185218
5’4″152182191225
5’5″155188197232
5’6″157194203239
5’7″162200209246
5’8″167206215253
5’9″172212222261
5’10”177218229268
5’11”182224234276
6’0″187231243284
6’1″191237248292
6’2″195244256299
6’3″200250262308
6’4″204256268316
6’5″208263275324
6’6″212270283332
6’7″216277290341
6’8″221284297349

* PP = Preferred Plus, P = Preferred, S+ = Standard Plus,  S = Standard

Life Insurance Height and Weight Chart

Best Life Insurance for Overweight People

If you are overweight and currently thinking about purchasing life insurance, you are not alone. Recent government statistics show that two out of three adults in the United States are either overweight or obese.

Fortunately, there are affordable options available for buying a policy even if you don’t have a perfect physique.

However, those who are overweight tend to be more prone to health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

These conditions can reduce life expectancy and increase the risk of mortality. Consequently, insurance companies need to charge higher rates in order to cover this elevated risk.

Life insurance companies have been using height and weight charts as part of the underwriting process for a long time.

So, understanding how a height and weight chart for life insurance works can help you know one factor that affects your policy premium costs and that you have control over.

Additionally, many modern insurers also take into account the body mass index (BMI) when assessing applications.

A life insurance BMI chart illustrates how your BMI aligns with the guidelines set by the insurance company.

does weight affect life insurance rates

How does weight affect life insurance rates?

To provide you with an understanding, we have outlined guidelines for three insurance companies that offer a highly lenient height-weight chart for men.

As depicted, each insurance company has varying maximum limits applicable to individuals in the standard rate category.

 Maximum limits on the life insurance height and weight chart

HeightABC
5′ 0″178188190
5′ 1″180190192
5′ 2″178186190
5′ 3″185190199
5′ 4″190188197
5′ 5″196193202
5′ 6″191200208
5′ 7″199206215
5′ 8″203212221
5′ 9″214219228
5′ 10″225233240
5′ 11″229241255
6′ 0″240255260
6′ 1″260265270
6′ 2″270276283
6′ 3″280275279
6′ 4″288290294
6′ 5″294296297
6′ 6″297290304
6′ 7″305304309

* The height and weight tables for standard rates for life insurance.

These tables represent the maximum weight limits for men, and your objective is to fall within the height and weight ranges mentioned above.

Moreover, some insurers have separate height weight charts for male and female applicants.

If you exceed the weight limits set by life insurance providers, many companies will automatically impose an additional premium or apply a table rating to your policy.

A table rating or substandard rate refers to a higher premium than the standard rates. Insurance carriers typically designate a substandard rate with a letter or number.

Buying High BMI Life Insurance  

It’s important to understand that you shouldn’t have to pay significantly higher rates for life insurance simply because you carry a few extra pounds! 

The good news is that life insurance companies use varying criteria, which are not standardized across the industry.

We know which companies provide more lenient height and weight charts for male applicants and which carriers are better suited for females who may be heavier.

overweight life insuranceweight loss and life insurance

Is it beneficial to lose weight before applying for life insurance? Absolutely, shedding excess pounds is always a positive step.

However, it’s important to note that weight loss may not significantly impact your life insurance rates as you might expect. 

The reason is that most life insurance companies typically consider your average weight over two years.

If you lose more than 10 pounds within the 12 months preceding your application, you will receive partial credit for only 50% of that weight loss until you maintain your new weight for at least one year.

For instance, if you initially weighed 250 pounds and successfully shed 50 pounds in the past year, your rating would be adjusted to reflect a weight of 225 pounds instead of 200.

Insurance companies prefer stable and sustained weight loss and generally require evidence of maintaining this new weight for two years before granting full credit.

Case Study on Fat Jack

What will happen if Jack has already lost weight for over two years?

Instead of being assessed at a standard rate because Jack was overweight, he is now eligible for a preferred rate class.

Notice the price difference when Jack applies for a twenty-year $500,000 policy, being overweight compared to being a fit ant and trim at 60 years old.

 Normal WeightOverweight
Rate ClassPreferredStandard
Premium$2,714$4,345

This shows how the life insurance weight chart can affect your premiums.

Wow, that is over $1,600 in savings per year for Fit Jack, with nearly $32,000 in savings over 20 years.

This cheaper rate is available because he fits within the height and weight tables.

life insurance for overweight female

Taking an exam for Life insurance

Should heavy people take a medical exam when applying for life insurance?

Most people think it would be best not to take an exam for life insurance for overweight applicants to qualify for coverage.

However, most stout people seeking life insurance should take the exam because it is their best opportunity to get affordable policies.

Since most life insurance companies require a medical exam, you can get more insurance offers through the exam application process.

Furthermore, many insurance companies that do not require a physical exam underwrite policies on a pass/fail basis.

So, more rotund applicants who fall outside the carrier’s published life insurance weight limits will be declined for coverage.

Life Insurance for heavy peopleLife Insurance for heavy people with Medical issues

You may qualify for standard rates for life insurance being overweight, assuming you do not have any other significant medical problems. 

Many heavy people are also being treated for hypertension or cholesterol and can qualify for coverage, assuming their condition is well controlled.

Bulky diabetics who control their blood sugar levels well with diet or oral medications can qualify for standard rates.

If you have a more serious medical condition, seek an agent specializing in high-risk life insurance policies.

We represent many niche insurance companies and can use our insider knowledge to direct you to the company specializing in your medical condition.

life insurance for overweight applicantsLife Insurance for overweight Seniors

As individuals age, it is common for them to gain a few extra pounds each year. Therefore, insurers often allow seniors to exceed standard weight limits if they have maintained a healthy lifestyle.

Some insurance providers even have specific height and weight charts that apply only to individuals above a certain age.

Additionally, senior applicants may qualify for preferred rate classes typically unavailable to younger individuals.

Many seniors purchase permanent life insurance policies such as universal or whole life insurance plans, which can also offer price reductions.

⊕ 

Buyer Tip:

Cheaper Rates  for Permanent Life Insurance

  • Since you pay more for your life than a term policy, you are allowed more lenient underwriting with a few companies.
  • These companies will not “table rate” your policy because you have already committed to a higher premium towards lifetime coverage.
  • People who are overweight and need long-term coverage can benefit from more liberal underwriting available on permanent life insurance.
  • Several insurance companies offer a “table shave” program for people who would typically be assessed a table rating on term life insurance.
  • This upgrade is usually only available on permanent coverage like guaranteed universal life insurance.
female weight chart for life insurance

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost?

  • Select Duration
  • Select  Amount
  • Press Get Quote  

denied life insurance due to weightdenied life insurance due to weight

What is the weight limit for life insurance? Each company will have the absolute maximum weight that it can insure.

People who fall outside this life insurance height and weight guidelines are often denied coverage because of their weight. 

So, a good strategy for getting life insurance for morbidly obese people is to consider either a graded or a guaranteed issue policy with a lower death benefit.

A graded benefit policy is permanent whole-life coverage that requires only a few health questions and no medical exam.

These policies allow someone with a weight problem to still get lifetime coverage at a higher cost with a smaller death benefit.

Guaranteed issue coverage is auto-approved whole life, providing you with guaranteed life insurance regardless of health, and you can not be turned down for coverage.

Life Insurance for Overweight People

Overweight Life Insurance Rates

The type of life insurance policy you choose will also impact the cost. Term life insurance plans are less expensive than universal or whole life insurance coverage.

Term life provides a guaranteed payout upon death and consistent premiums for a period of 10 to 40 years.

Universal life insurance, on the other hand, offers variable cash value and ensures that both the premium and death benefits will not lapse.

Whole life insurance offers a fixed premium and death benefit for the entirety of the insured’s life while also accumulating dividends and providing guaranteed cash values.

Affordable Life USA is a brokerage firm that operates independently and offers competitive rates on term, universal, and whole life insurance policies.

We specialize in providing coverage from life insurance companies with lenient underwriting standards.

Banner, Prudential, AIG, and Pacific Life specialize in offering coverage to overweight people with various medical conditions.

Prudential is highly recommended for those looking for life insurance over 60 who are overweight or obese. 

Remember to select one of these insurers with the standard rate class assumption when evaluating premiums.

life insurance for overweightFAQ: Life Insurance for Overweight People

Who is considered high risk for life insurance? Insurers often categorize individuals as high-risk applicants if they have hazardous occupations, participate in risky hobbies, smoke tobacco products, or have pre-existing medical issues.

Why can’t obese people get life insurance? Companies may view individuals who are overweight as being at a higher risk for diseases that can potentially reduce their lifespan, such as diabetes, heart disease, and specific forms of cancer.

Can you be denied life insurance for being overweight? Being overweight alone is unlikely to result in a denial of life insurance coverage. However, if you have health issues related to your weight, it could potentially lead to a rejection of your application. 

How to get life insurance with a high BMI? Yes, it is possible to obtain coverage at standard rates even if you have a high body mass index, as long as your BMI falls within a certain tolerance level and there are no additional medical or health concerns.

What is the BMI cut-off for life insurance? Many insurance companies will accept those with a BMI up to 4, as long as there are no other underlying health conditions. However, insurance coverage may be more challenging if you have additional health issues or your BMI exceeds 45.

Life Insurance Underwriting Tips

  • Affordable Life USA, LLC is an independent insurance agency that sells life insurance directly to clients across the United States.

    Its founding member, Eric Van Haaften, has sold life insurance for over 33 years. Eric has been featured in renowned publications such as Time, Newsweek, Us News, and The Wall Street Journal. 

    Our team of experienced insurance agents and financial planners is dedicated to finding the right coverage for your needs and budget. 

    Start searching for the perfect life insurance policy using our online calculator. We consistently update our rates to ensure you can access competitively priced options from many highly rated life insurance companies. 

    Affordable Life USA, LLC

    Eric Van Haaften, LUTCF

       Eric Van Haaften, LUTCF

    1-877-249-1358

    Learn about us on Facebook or Linkedin:

     

  • Blog

    Affordable Life USA, LLC