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Life insurance can help people from all walks of life protect their loved ones, save, and help create financial security. Since body weight can impact health, this is one of the factors insurers evaluate when you apply for a policy. Although what is considered a healthy weight can vary, insurers use a few criteria to determine if an applicant is overweight. This article explains how life insurance works for overweight people and some options for finding the best rates on the coverage you need.
Life insurance for overweight people works just like regular life insurance, providing a death benefit to loved ones in case you pass away. However, since being overweight is linked to several health conditions it may cause premiums and coverage options to vary.1 Being overweight can place an applicant in a higher risk category, which impacts how the insurer evaluates your information during underwriting.
Several weight-related factors can influence your life insurance rates:
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a numerical value calculated based on height and weight.1 It is used to indirectly estimate the amount of body fat an applicant has. BMI spans across the following categories:2
BMI is accurate for many, but not everyone. For example, athletes or active individuals may have more muscle mass, which can lead to an Overweight BMI reading despite not having higher levels of body fat.3 This is why insurers look at other factors as well.
Insurers may calculate your height-to-weight ratio in addition to BMI. This simply measures your height against your weight, allowing the insurer to compare the ratio against other data for risk classification. Again, this method is not accurate for everyone. People with more muscle mass may have a lower height-to-weight ratio despite being in excellent shape and having less body fat.
A personal or family health history of pre-existing conditions may increase your life insurance rates, especially if related to being overweight. Conditions linked to being overweight include:1
Other factors partially or not related to weight can influence premiums:3
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Here are some average life insurance rates for a 5’3”, 30-year-old woman purchasing a 20-year, $100,000 term policy:4
| Weight | Monthly Premiums |
|---|---|
| 140 lbs | $11 |
| 232 lbs | $15 |
| 255 lbs | $19 |
| 282 lbs | $23 |
| More than 282 lbs | Not available |
You can still qualify for life insurance if overweight. However, insurers may charge higher rates for the higher health-related risk levels associated with being overweight. That said, you may still qualify for better rates if overweight, depending on how overweight you are and other factors discussed earlier.
Those who are overweight or obese can increase their options for coverage at reasonable rates by using a few tactics:
Independent insurance agents help you navigate the life insurance process, gather quotes to compare, and pick a good policy. Insurers pay them a commission on policies sold, meaning you don’t owe anything. However, since they’re independent, they’re not committed to helping a single insurer. Some agents have more experience helping overweight people or those with medical conditions, so working with them can make finding a suitable policy at budget-friendly rates easier.
Insurers calculate risk differently and must compete for new policyholders. This means you can shop around for multiple quotes and pick the one with the best rates on your needed coverage. Agents can handle much of this for you and explain each quote, saving you time and making it easier for you to pick the coverage you need.
No-exam life insurance lets you apply for coverage without taking a medical exam. This reduces the impact of your health on your rates and speeds up the process since the medical exam typically stretches the process out by weeks. No-exam policy options include:
A healthy diet and consistent exercise can benefit your life insurance search in a few ways:
Although being overweight or obese may lead to higher life insurance rates, you still have plenty of options. Plus, shopping around and taking action to reduce and manage your weight can provide you with more choices.
If you have more life insurance questions or you’re looking for a policy that fits your situation and budget, speak with an Aflac agent to learn more and get a quote.
1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - How Overweight and Obesity Impacts Your Health. Updated January 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/effects/index.html. Accessed May 20, 2024.
2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Accessing Your Weight. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/index.html. Accessed May 20, 2024.
3Investopedia - 7 Factors That Affect Your Life Insurance Premium. Updated April 30, 2024. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/102914/7-factors-affect-your-life-insurance-quote.asp. Accessed May 20, 2024.
4MarketWatch - Life Insurance for Overweight People (2024). Updated May 5, 2024. https://www.marketwatch.com/guides/insurance-services/life-insurance-overweight/. Accessed May 20, 2024.
Coverage underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
68000: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100, ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68100-A68400. In New York, NY68100-NY68400. In Virginia, Policies ICC0965JTO & ICC0965JWO. 65000: In VA, Policies ICC0965JTO & ICC0965JWO. B61000: In AR, ID, OK, & VA Policies: ICC18B61JWO & ICC18B61JTO. In DE, Policies B61JWO, B61JTO. B6000: In AR, ID, OK, PA, TX, & VA, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Q6000 Whole: In AR, DE & OR, Policy Q60100M. In ID Policy Q60100MID. In OK, Policy Q60100MOK. Q6000 Term: In DE, Policies Q60200M. In AR, ID, OK, Policies ICC18Q60200M, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C.
Coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company.
Final Expense: Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, & Virginia, Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22. Aflac Final Expense policies are not available in New York.
Aflac Final Expense insurance coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated and is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908).
This is a brief product overview only. Coverage may not be available in all states including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NH, NM, NY, or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders are available at an additional cost. The policy has limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable. Refer to the policy for complete details, limitations, and exclusions. For costs and complete details of the coverage, please contact your local Aflac agent.
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. Receipt of accelerated death benefits may affect eligibility for public assistance programs. Benefits may also be taxable, and are not expected to receive the same favorable tax treatment as other types of accelerated death benefits that may be available.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211
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