Overweight individuals can choose from several life insurance options, though premiums may be higher. Here's what's available and what to expect from each policy type.
Life Insurance
Life Insurance for Overweight People
Updated: June 23, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Overweight people looking for life insurance may qualify for standard policies. Alternatives include no-exam policies, annual renewable term plans and group life insurance.
Insurance companies tend to perceive overweight people as high risk due to possible associated health conditions. This can increase your monthly costs significantly or leave you without coverage altogether.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having regular health screenings can help lower life insurance rates even if you're overweight.
Life Insurance Options for Overweight People
Types of Policies | Description |
|---|---|
Standard Life Insurance Policies | Standard life insurance policies typically require a medical exam, including weight and BMI measurements. These policies can be further categorized into:
|
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance | These policies skip the medical exam and health questionnaire entirely. You're guaranteed acceptance regardless of your health status, including weight concerns. The trade-off is higher premiums than traditional policies. |
Simplified Issue Life Insurance | This type of policy doesn't require a full medical exam but does involve a health questionnaire. The questionnaire typically includes questions about your weight, lifestyle habits and medical history. While it's easier to qualify for simplified issue life insurance than standard life insurance, premiums may be higher, especially for overweight applicants. It can be a good option for those who want to avoid a medical exam but are in relatively good health. |
Annual Renewable Life Insurance | This term policy lets you renew each year without another medical exam. The premium starts low and increases each year as you age. While overweight individuals can benefit from the no-exam feature, the increasing premiums can become costly over time. |
Group Life Insurance | Many employers include group life insurance in their benefits package. No medical exam is required, which works well if you're overweight. You'll get less coverage than with individual plans, plus it ends when you change employers. |
How to Find the Best Life Insurance for Overweight People
The best life insurance policy varies by person. You can find good coverage even if you're overweight — it just takes some planning. Follow these steps to land a policy that fits your needs and budget:
- 1
Understand Your Needs
Before you start shopping for life insurance for overweight people, take the time to understand your coverage needs. Consider factors like your financial obligations, dependents and future plans. This will help you determine how much coverage you need and for how long.
- 2
Evaluate Your Health
Get a clear picture of your health status. This includes your weight, BMI and any weight-related health conditions. This information helps you prepare for hurdles during the application process.
- 3
Research Your Options
Learn about the different life insurance policies you can get as an overweight person. This includes standard life insurance, guaranteed issue life insurance, annual renewable life insurance, group life insurance and simplified issue life insurance. Understanding how insurers use BMI charts in their underwriting process is also important.
- 4
Compare Quotes
Once you understand your needs and the available options, start comparing quotes from different insurance companies. Each company has its own rules about how much to charge for insurance, so costs can be very different. Some insurance companies may also have a maximum BMI for life insurance.
- 5
Apply for Coverage
Once you've found a policy that fits your needs, it's time to apply. Be honest and thorough when filling out your application to avoid any issues down the line.
What to Do if You're Denied Life Insurance Due to Weight
While you're unlikely to be denied coverage due to weight alone, it can happen, especially when weight is linked with other health risks. If you find yourself in this situation, there are several steps you can take to secure coverage:
- Seek Clarification and Reapply: Sometimes, denial is based on outdated or incomplete health information. Request a detailed explanation from the insurer, including life insurance weight limits. If appropriate, provide updated health data or medical records. Addressing the specific concerns may allow you to reapply successfully.
- Improve Your Health: If weight is a significant factor, a health improvement plan could make a difference. Losing weight, eating better and exercising more can improve both your health and your chances of getting approved for coverage.
- Consult with Independent Agents: Independent agents have access to multiple insurers and might know companies more accommodating for overweight applicants. They can help you find insurers who specialize in high-risk profiles or have more flexible rules about weight.
- Explore Alternative Options: If traditional life insurance is not an option, consider guaranteed issue policies or group insurance through work. These options usually don't require a medical exam, but they may cost more or offer fewer benefits.
- Wait and Apply Later: Sometimes, if you wait some time and show that your health is stable or has gotten better, it can change an insurer's decision. Reapplying after a significant time may yield different results if your health metrics improve.
By exploring these avenues, individuals denied life insurance due to weight can increase their chances of obtaining suitable life insurance coverage.
How Does Weight Affect Life Insurance Rates?
Insurance companies assess risk when they decide how much policyholders will pay. This process is called underwriting. Weight is an important part of this evaluation, along with other health factors. Being overweight often means higher insurance costs because of the health risks that come with extra weight, such as heart disease and diabetes.
Weight-related concerns affect many applicants seeking life insurance. You may need to seek insurers that specialize in coverage for overweight people and understand their specific weight requirements. Knowing how insurers set maximum BMI limits can help you secure the coverage you need.
BMI and Life Insurance
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a common way to see if a person has a healthy body weight. It's a ratio of your weight to your height. Life insurance companies often use BMI to decide how much people will pay for their insurance. A higher BMI may show possible health risks, which can lead to higher insurance costs.
Life insurance companies usually put applicants into different categories based on their BMI and other health information. These categories often include:
- 1
Preferred Plus
This is the best rating category. It is usually for people with a low BMI and no major health problems.
- 2
Preferred
This category is for generally healthy individuals with a slightly higher BMI.
- 3
Standard Plus
Individuals with a moderate BMI and minor health issues often fall into this category.
- 4
Standard
This category typically includes individuals with a higher BMI and some health concerns.
- 5
Substandard or Table Rating
Individuals with a significantly high BMI or serious health issues may fall into this category, which leads to higher insurance costs.
When insurance companies refer to health concerns, they mean medical conditions or lifestyle factors that could impact your life expectancy. These can range from minor health issues (such as elevated cholesterol levels, controlled high blood pressure, mild asthma and being slightly overweight) to severe conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Understanding these categories and how BMI and life insurance premiums correlate is essential for applicants.
Other Factors Impacting Life Insurance Cost
While BMI plays a significant role in determining life insurance premiums, it's not the only factor insurers consider. Weight-related health conditions, lifestyle habits and family medical history also contribute to overall life insurance rates.
Weight-Related Conditions
Beyond BMI, insurance companies also consider weight-related health conditions when determining life insurance premiums. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, often associated with being overweight, can lead to higher premiums.
Lifestyle Habits
Lifestyle habits significantly influence life insurance costs. Habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use and engaging in high-risk activities like extreme sports or dangerous occupations can result in higher premiums. On the flip side, staying active and eating well could lower what you pay.
Family Medical History
Your family medical history is another factor that insurance companies consider. If your family has a history of certain genetic diseases like cancer, heart disease or diabetes, you may face higher premiums.
Tips to Secure Better Life Insurance Rates if Overweight
Despite the challenges, there are ways for overweight people to get better life insurance rates:
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Getting healthier is one of the best ways to bring down your life insurance costs. Regular exercise, eating well and keeping your BMI in check can help you manage your weight and feel better overall. Additionally, a healthy lifestyle can help manage or prevent weight-related health conditions, improving your insurability.
Regular Medical Check-Ups
Regular checkups catch health issues early and help you manage them. This shows insurers you're serious about staying healthy, which can lower your rates. Plus, having medical records proves you're on top of any health conditions.
Consult With an Insurance Professional
Consulting with an insurance professional may help you find better life insurance rates. They'll walk you through the process, explain how different policies work and help you find one that fits your needs and budget. An insurance professional can also provide advice on how to improve your insurability and potentially lower your rates.
Life Insurance Quotes for Overweight People
Given that each insurer has different criteria for assessments, comparing offers to find the best rates is advisable. The cost calculator below can give you personalized quotes from different insurers in minutes to help you accurately estimate your premiums.
Life Insurance Calculator
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Rates updated:
Jul 09, 2025
Life Insurance for Overweight Applicants: Bottom Line
Finding life insurance for overweight people may be challenging. In this guide, we explained how weight impacts life insurance premiums, explored available options and highlighted steps to get coverage. Understanding these can help you find the right policy and secure better rates.
Compare Insurance Rates
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Life Insurance for High BMI: FAQ
Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help you understand your life insurance options as an overweight individual and make informed decisions.
Should I lose weight before getting life insurance?
While maintaining a healthy weight can potentially lower your life insurance premiums, it's important not to delay getting coverage. If you're considering losing weight, remember that insurance companies typically want to see stable weight loss maintained for at least a year. It's often beneficial to secure coverage first, then work on improving your health. You can request a policy review after significant weight loss.
What BMI do you need for life insurance?
There's no specific Body Mass Index (BMI) you need to qualify for life insurance. However, a lower BMI is generally more favorable to insurance companies. Each company has its own underwriting guidelines, and the maximum BMI for life insurance can vary. Consult with an insurance professional or contact an insurance agent to understand how your BMI might impact your premiums.
Can you be denied life insurance due to your weight?
While it's possible to be denied life insurance due to weight, it's not common. Most insurance companies have policies designed to accommodate a range of health conditions and body types. If one company denies you, another may still offer coverage. If you're having trouble finding coverage, look into guaranteed issue policies, simplified issue coverage or group life insurance through your employer.
How much does BMI affect life insurance?
BMI significantly influences life insurance premiums and eligibility. Insurers typically use a life insurance BMI chart to determine rates, often leading to higher premiums for those with a high BMI. Applicants with a BMI exceeding the maximum BMI for life insurance may face higher rates or even be denied coverage because of their weight.
Best Life Insurance for Overweight People: Our Review Methodology
Why Trust MoneyGeek?
We analyzed 1,488 life insurance quotes alongside customer satisfaction ratings, financial stability reports, product offerings and more to determine the best life insurance companies for a variety of needs.
Recency
Coverage costs and company information for life insurance providers were updated in 2025.
Methodology
MoneyGeek created a scoring system to compare life insurance companies across five categories and ranked them based on their scores. We chose to review these companies based on their broad national coverage and ability to provide an online quote.
MoneyGeek’s Scoring System
In our unique scoring system, companies can earn up to five points in each category. We then use these category scores to calculate an overall MoneyGeek score out of 100. We applied the following weightings to score insurers:
- Affordability: 30%
- Financial Stability: 25%
- Buying Process: 20%
- Customer Satisfaction: 15%
- Product Diversity: 10%
Each company’s score incorporates the following:
- Cost data obtained through online quotes
- Financial strength ratings from AM Best and number of years in business
- Customer satisfaction data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) customer complaint index (we reviewed annual complaint data from 2020 to 2022, the most recent year available)
- Availability of tools to aid in the buying process, such as online product materials and multiple payment options
- Diversity of life insurance products offered
Sample Customer Profile
MoneyGeek used a standard profile to obtain life insurance quotes:
- 40-year-old male
- Nonsmoker
- 5 feet 11 inches tall and 175 pounds
- Excellent health rating
Premiums are based on the standard profile unless otherwise noted.
We modified the profile by age, gender, height, weight, tobacco use, health rating and geographic location to collect a variety of quotes and determine the best life insurance company for several types of customers. We also collected quotes for term life insurance with varying term lengths and coverage amounts.
We identified trends in the data set and used those patterns to calculate projections and extend the data beyond what was initially collected.
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About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like 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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.