BMI affects life insurance rates but rarely prevents coverage. Overweight people pay around 37% to 62% more for term life insurance, according to MoneyGeek's analysis.
Updated: January 22, 2026
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Overweight applicants pay 2% to 8% more for whole life insurance premiums and 6% to 8% more for universal life insurance premiums.
Insurers use proprietary build charts that are often more lenient than the CDC BMI categories, so “overweight” applicants can still qualify for preferred rates.
Weight alone rarely disqualifies you, and multiple policy types exist for higher-BMI applicants who can't get traditional coverage.
Life insurance companies use BMI as one health indicator among many, not the only factor in your rates.
Life insurance companies don't rely on CDC classifications alone. Instead, they use proprietary build charts that factor in height and weight alongside your overall health profile. A person the CDC labels as overweight can still land preferred rates if their blood pressure, cholesterol, family history and other health markers look good.
You've probably heard the term body mass index (BMI). Here's what it means and how insurers use it during the application process.
BMI measures body fat based on your height and weight. The formula divides your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared and then multiplies the result by 703. A 5'9” person weighing 175 pounds has a BMI of 25.9.
Doctors, hospitals and public health agencies rely on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) BMI categories to screen for weight-related health risks at the population level. These thresholds link certain BMI ranges to higher risks of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
The CDC classifications categorize BMI into four categories: underweight (below 18.5), normal weight (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25 to 29.9) and obese (30 and above). BMI has limitations. It doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat, so a muscular athlete and a sedentary person with the same height and weight get identical BMI scores despite very different body compositions.
Insurance companies create their own build charts that set height and weight limits for each rate class, often more forgiving than CDC standards. Someone 5'9” at 175 pounds has a BMI of 25.9, which the CDC considers overweight. That same person can still qualify for Preferred Plus rates with many insurers because their build charts allow higher weights before penalizing applicants.
Build charts vary between companies. One might cap Preferred Plus at 190 pounds for a 5'9" applicant, while another sets the limit at 175. An applicant who receives Standard rates from one company might qualify for Preferred rates elsewhere. Shop around.
Your BMI helps decide which rate class you qualify for, and that classification directly impacts your premiums. Each rate class has weight thresholds combined with other health factors, such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels and family medical history.
Standard rate classes include:
Preferred Plus | Low | |
Preferred | Slightly higher | |
Standard Plus | Moderate | |
Standard | Higher | |
Table Ratings | Significantly high |
Specific BMI ranges are relative to individual insurer standards.
MoneyGeek surveyed life insurance quotes from major insurers to find how weight affects premiums across policy types.
Term life insurance shows the largest price gap between average-weight and overweight applicants. Whole life insurance premiums show smaller percentage differences, with overweight applicants paying roughly 2% to 8% more than average-weight applicants for the same coverage amounts. Universal life insurance follows a similar pattern with moderate increases around 6% to 8% in that same range.
$100,000 | $16 (F), $19 (M) | $23 (F), $30 (M) |
$250,000 | $27 (F), $32 (M) | $39 (F), $51 (M) |
$500,000 | $46 (F), $55 (M) | $67 (F), $88 (M) |
$1,000,000 | $84 (F), $99 (M) | $123 (F), $160 (M) |
$1,500,000 | $124 (F), $147 (M) | $181 (F), $236 (M) |
$2,000,000 | $156 (F), $190 (M) | $227 (F), $304 (M) |
$3,000,000 | $226 (F), $280 (M) | $329 (F), $384 (M) |
$100,000 | $121 (F), $133 (M) | $123 (F), $144 (M) |
$250,000 | $302 (F), $334 (M) | $321 (F), $360 (M) |
$500,000 | $605 (F), $667 (M) | $642 (F), $719 (M) |
$1,000,000 | $1,209 (F), $1,335 (M) | $1,284 (F), $1,439 (M) |
$1,500,000 | $1,814 (F), $2,002 (M) | $1,925 (F), $2,158 (M) |
$2,500,000 | $3,024 (F), $3,337 (M) | $3,209 (F), $3,597 (M) |
$100,000 | $51 (F), $59 (M) | $54 (F), $63 (M) |
$250,000 | $127 (F), $147 (M) | $135 (F), $158 (M) |
$500,000 | $254 (F), $294 (M) | $270 (F), $317 (M) |
$1,000,000 | $508 (F), $588 (M) | $539 (F), $634 (M) |
$1,500,000 | $762 (F), $882 (M) | $809 (F), $951 (M) |
$2,500,000 | $1,270 (F), $1,470 (M) | $1,348 (F), $1,585 (M) |
These rates are based on MoneyGeek analysis of life insurance quotes for 40-year-olds of average health. Your actual rates may vary depending on your health, the insurer, and other factors. Rates shown are estimates for comparison purposes only.
Each insurer sets its own life insurance weight limits for different rate classes. These limits vary enough that an applicant denied Preferred rates at one company might qualify elsewhere. Some insurers like Prudential and Pacific Life have more lenient build charts than competitors.
Age also factors into weight limits. Many insurers adjust their build charts for applicants over 60, allowing higher weights before assigning substandard ratings. A 65-year-old applicant might qualify for Standard rates at a weight that would trigger table ratings for a 40-year-old.
Build chart standards vary by state due to insurance regulations. Some states have additional consumer protections regarding weight-based rating.
Different types of life insurance accept applicants regardless of BMI. Your best option depends on your overall health profile, coverage needs and budget.
Traditional term life insurance requires a medical exam and lab work, but often offers the best rates for overweight applicants whose other health markers look good. Strong blood pressure and cholesterol readings can offset weight concerns during underwriting. The exam lets you show overall health rather than being judged on BMI alone.
Simplified issue policies require health questions but skip the medical exam. Approval comes faster, though premiums run higher than fully underwritten policies. Some companies offer accelerated underwriting that uses data analysis instead of exams to approve healthy applicants at competitive rates. These no-exam life insurance policies work well for applicants with higher BMIs but otherwise have clean health histories.
Guaranteed issue policies accept everyone regardless of health or weight. No exam, no health questions. The trade-offs include higher premiums, lower coverage limits (usually capped at $25,000) and a two-year waiting period before the full death benefit applies. Use this option as a fallback when other policies aren't available.
Denial based solely on weight is uncommon. Most insurers have rating structures that accommodate higher-risk applicants rather than declining them outright.
Some factor combinations increase denial risk. Morbid obesity paired with serious health complications like uncontrolled diabetes or severe heart disease can result in declination. Extreme BMIs above 50 often limit options to guaranteed issue policies only. Weight-related mobility issues or limited daily functionality also flag concerns during the underwriting process.
BMI influences your life insurance rates but rarely prevents coverage entirely. Overweight people pay around 37% to 62% more for term life insurance, 2% to 8% more for whole life and 6% to 8% for universal life policies.
Insurers consider your complete health profile rather than focusing on weight alone. Most overweight people still qualify for affordable life insurance coverage through traditional policies. Shop with multiple insurers, as build charts vary between companies.
We answer common questions about how BMI affects life insurance.
Most insurers don't set a hard cutoff, but a BMI above 45 to 50 limits your options to guaranteed issue policies. Many people with BMIs between 30 and 40 (or 45) still qualify for traditional coverage when their other health markers are favorable.
No. Insurers verify information through medical exams, prescription records and medical records. Misrepresentation can void your policy, leaving your beneficiaries without the death benefit.
Insurers want you to maintain your weight for at least 12 months before considering rate changes. You can request rate reconsideration from your current insurer or reapply with a new company after sustained weight loss.
Not necessarily. No-exam policies charge higher premiums and offer lower coverage limits. If your overall health is good despite a higher BMI, a traditional policy with an exam often offers better rates because you can show favorable health markers.
Try other insurers with more lenient build charts. Consider simplified issue or guaranteed issue policies if traditional coverage isn't available. Check if your employer offers group life insurance, which often has no health requirements.
Once your policy is approved, premiums are locked for the policy duration. Weight gain won't affect your existing coverage or rates. It only matters if you apply for new coverage later. If you lose weight and keep it off for 12 months or more, you can request rate reconsideration from your insurer.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
