Overweight life insurance [Quick summary]

  • In the UK, you’re considered to be overweight if your BMI (Body Mass Index) is between 25 - 29.9 and obese if your BMI is over 30. The same thresholds apply with life insurance
  • Insurers will ask for your height and weight during the application process to calculate your BMI and decide whether this will affect your eligibility or the cost of your cover
  • The maximum BMI for life insurance varies between 39 and 47 depending on the insurer. Specialist insurers may be able to offer cover to those with a higher BMI (up to 55)
  • We have provided a handy BMI calculator in this guide to help you calculate your BMI as well as discover the possible outcome of your life insurance application based on your weight
  • Comparing quotes is especially important for overweight individuals as BMI limits and quotes will vary significantly between different providers

Can you get life insurance if you’re overweight?

Yes, you can get life insurance if you’re overweight or have a high BMI.

Generally, if your BMI is under 30 and you’re in good health, then you could be offered a policy at the standard price.

If your BMI is over 30, then this could affect the cost of your premiums, or your ability to secure a policy depending on your personal circumstances.

At Reassured, we offer a fee-free service that could help you find affordable deals from some of the UK’s best high BMI life insurance providers.

Our dedicated experts are on hand to provide support and help you arrange some form of cover, even if you’ve been declined in the past.

Continue reading this guide to learn more about arranging life insurance if you’re classified as overweight, obese or morbidly obese.

We answer some key questions including:

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How does BMI affect your life insurance?

BMI can affect your life insurance application and the cost of your policy.

Particularly with a high BMI, the price that you pay may be higher than for someone with a lower BMI due to the increased risk of developing certain health conditions.

As part of the application process, insurers will ask for your height and weight so they can calculate your BMI (which determines your weight range - see below).

If your BMI is between 25 and 29.9 then you may be able to secure your chosen policy at the standard rate, depending on your health and smoking status.

If you have a BMI over 30 then you’re more likely to be considered high risk to insure and your premiums may be increased accordingly.

What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?

BMI is a measure that uses your height (in m2) and weight (in kg) to estimate the amount of body fat, which determines if you’re a healthy weight for your height. For life insurance, your BMI reading may be combined with your waist measurement (trouser or dress size) for a more accurate measure of your weight.

The table below shows the most likely outcomes of your life insurance application based on your BMI reading alone:

BMIWeight rangeMost likely outcomes
Under 18.5UnderweightAccepted with increased premiums or declined. May require medical screening (depending on BMI rating).
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18.5 - 24.9Healthy WeightAccepted with standard premiums.
Premiums from £5 † a-month through Reassuredx
25 - 29.9OverweightAccepted with standard premiums.
Premiums from £5 a month through Reassuredx
30 - 39.9ObeseAccepted with standard premiums or increased premiums. May require medical screening (depending on age and BMI rating).
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Over 40Morbidly ObeseAccepted with increased premiums or declined. May require medical screening (depending on BMI rating).
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xFrom £5 a month quote is based on a non-smoker in good health

Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator

Use our simple calculator to work out your BMI and discover the most likely outcome of your life insurance application based on your reading.

Less than 18.5 = Underweight

Between 18.5 - 24.9 = Healthy Weight

Between 25 - 29.9 = Overweight

Between 30 - 39.9 = Obese

Over 40 = Morbidly Obese

Please fill in the required fields

Overweight life insurance real customer outcomes

The tables below show some real-life examples of where we were able to help secure affordable life insurance for customers with a high BMI.

Customer outcome example 1

This customer was a 26-year old non-smoker, classified as obese. They secured life insurance from a standard insurer for just £16.54 a month through Reassured:

Details of applicantMr Oliver H.
(Born in 1998 / Smoker)
Applicant BMI33.2 (5ft 11 and 17st)
Other health detailsN/A
Reason for coverMortgage
Policy detailsSum assured: £225,000
Policy type: Decreasing term
Term length: 35 years
Provider: Legal & General
Monthly premium£16.54 a month

Customer outcome example 2

This customer was a 50-year old non-smoker, classified as obese with several pre-existing conditions. They secured standard cover for just £16.17 a month through Reassured:

Details of applicantMrs Dianne L.
(Born in 1975 / Non-smoker)
Applicant BMI36.9 (5'10 and 18.5st)
Other health details- Anxiety / Depression
- Self harm (more than five years but less than ten years ago)
- Raised blood pressure
- Breast cyst
- Perimenopause
Reason for coverFamily
Policy detailsSum assured: £20,000
Policy type: Level term
Term length: 32 years
Provider: Aviva
Monthly premium£16.17 a month

Please note, customer names have been changed. While these customers were able to secure a policy at a price within their budget, the outcome of your own application will depend on your specific circumstances and the insurer you apply with. At Reassured, we listen to your requirements and work hard to provide you with our best available options based on your circumstances

What is the maximum BMI for life insurance?

The maximum BMI for life insurance varies between different insurers, but it’s typically between 39 and 47.

Some specialist insurers can offer cover to applicants with a BMI of up to 55. Although, other factors such as your age, health and family medical history could impact your eligibility.

The table below shows life insurance BMI limits for various insurers we work with at Reassured in 2024:

InsurerMaximum BMI limit
L&G life insurance Up to 39
Aviva life insurance Up to 39
Vitality life insurance Up to 40.4
LV= life insurance Up to 46
Zurich life insurance Up to 47
(depending on your age)
The Exeter life insurance Up to 55

Please note, the information in this table has been taken directly from the individual insurer’s websites and is correct as of 12/12/24. Specialist insurers are available through Reassured's advised team

Contact Reassured to find out the best life insurance providers for overweight applicants from our panel and compare free quotes.

Why use Reassured to compare life insurance for overweight?

  • Award-winning, UK-based life insurance specialist
  • Free, no-obligation quotes from top UK insurers
  • Service rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot from over 80,000+ reviews
  • Range of policy options & affordable rates for overweight applicants
  • Specialist impaired risk team who help find cover for those declined elsewhere
  • No jargon, no advice & no hard sales; just all the information you need to make an informed decision

Best life insurance for overweight

There isn’t a 'best life insurance' for overweight people as everyone has different needs and circumstances.

The policy that’s right for you will depend on your age, health, budget and what you want to help protect.

We have outlined the various policy types available below to help you decide which may be the best option for you.

Types of life insurance

Level term life insurance

Level term cover is a good option for people who support a family and/or have a mortgage to cover. It provides a fixed sum assured that pays out if you pass away during a specified term (typically 2 to 40 years depending on your needs).

Decreasing term life insurance

Decreasing term cover is like level term but the sum assured decreases over time to help protect a repayment mortgage. It’s usually the cheapest option.

Over 50s life insurance

Also known as an over 50s plan, this type of life insurance offers guaranteed acceptance to UK residents aged 50 - 85. The application has no medical questions, which could make it a good option for overweight individuals with health problems or those who’ve found it difficult to secure other types of life insurance.

Whole of life insurance

Whole of life insurance is designed for people who require life-long cover. It’s a more expensive form of life insurance, often taken out to help cover inheritance tax liabilities.

How much does life insurance for overweight cost?

The cost of life insurance for overweight will depend on your individual circumstances and the policy you choose.

With the exception of an over 50s plan, the following factors are taken into account to calculate your monthly premium:

  • Your age
  • Your health & wellbeing
  • Your smoking status
  • Your weight/BMI
  • Your policy pay out (sum assured)
  • Your policy term (length of cover)

Generally speaking, if you’re classified as overweight (and a non-smoker in good health), then you should be able to secure cover with standard terms.

This means that your monthly premiums may not be increased due to your BMI, and you’ll pay the standard rate.

Life insurance quotes with standard terms start from just £5-a-month through Reassured.

How much overweight life insurance do you need?

Work out how much life insurance you may need based on your current financial commitments and what you want your policy to cover. Simply fill in the fields which apply to you for an instant calculation.

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£137,934 is the estimated mortgage debt per household in the UK.

The purchase of a home is likely to be the largest financial commitment any of us will make in our lifetime. Your life insurance should cover your remaining mortgage balance to allow your loved ones to stay in the family home should anything happen to you.

Source: Moneynerd.co.uk
£
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The average monthly household budget in the UK is £2,548 (that’s £30,576 per year), which is spent on transport, food & drink, utilities (gas, electricity, water etc), clothing, council tax and leisure activities.

With energy prices hitting a record high and the cost of living rising sharply in the UK, you may wish to factor in utility bills and family living expenses into your cover.

Source: Nimblefins.co.uk
£
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The average personal debt of UK adults has risen to £34,566 (not including mortgage debt), with credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts being the most common forms of debt.

Factoring in any debts into your life insurance cover means that, if they need to be paid back from your estate after your passing, your loved ones won’t miss out financially.

Source: Money.co.uk
£
?

According to SunLife, the average cost of a funeral in the UK is £3,953 (with the overall cost of dying at £9,200).

Funeral costs have increased by 116% since 2004 and are a significant cost which should be factored into the amount of life insurance you secure.

Source: SunLife.co.uk
£
?

When factoring in cover for your children, you may wish to calculate the amount based on how long it is until they reach financial independence.

This could include childcare (£7,000 per year for part-time care), school expenses (£1,519 per school year for uniforms, lunches, stationary etc), as well as an additional sum for further education (this could be a contribution of up to £5,000 per year).

Sources: Daynurseries.co.uk, Primarytimes.co.uk & Savethestudent.org
£
?

2 in 5 adults say they are relying on an inheritance to fund their retirement.

Factoring in an inheritance to your sum assured could allow loved ones to live a more financially comfortable life. Alternatively, you could leave a cash gift to a charity of your choosing.

Source: Moneyage.co.uk
£
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If you’re lucky enough to have your own savings or are part of the 30% of UK residents who already have a life insurance policy in place, this can provide financial protection for loved ones.

By entering your current cover, savings or death in service amount you can reduce the sum assured you require.

Source: Scottishbusinessnews.net
£ -

Your total cover estimate

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How to save money on premiums [Top tips]

Our top tips for obtaining cheaper life insurance if you’re classified as overweight or obese are:

  1. Take out life cover sooner rather than later, as premiums go up as you age
  2. Lead a healthy lifestyle, keep active, quit smoking and drink alcohol in moderation to lower your quotes
  3. Only take out as much cover as you need - the higher the sum assured, the higher the premium
  4. Consider taking out decreasing term or level term life insurance for the cheapest premiums
  5. Use the expertise of a broker to help you source the best possible quotes from a variety of insurers

If you’re thinking about losing weight to lower your BMI and achieve a healthier weight range, then this could help you to secure cheaper premiums in the future.

See NHS weight loss plan for additional information and support.

Can you get life insurance if you’re obese?

Yes, life insurance for obese applicants is available with most insurers, but depending on your age and health, you’re more likely to pay a higher premium.

In some cases, insurers may require further information about your circumstances to help assess your application.

For example, insurers may want to know:

  • Your waist measurement (trouser or dress size)
  • Any recent surgery or treatment you’ve had
  • Medication you’re currently taking
  • Your family medical history

In rare cases, obese applicants may be required to undergo a medical exam, particularly if they have a pre-existing medical condition.

If you’re required to undergo a medical exam then this would be arranged at a time and date to suit you, and at the expense of the insurer.

Can you get life insurance if you’re morbidly obese?

Yes, life insurance for morbidly obese applicants is available, but you may find it more difficult to find a suitable policy.

As mentioned, some insurers have an upper BMI threshold of 45 (or 47 depending on your age); for others, it's just 40.

Other insurers will cover you if your BMI is between 38 - 45, but request that you undergo a medical exam.

If you’re considered morbidly obese and suffer from a pre-existing medical condition then you may struggle to secure cover.

In these instances, your application could be placed with a specialist insurer.

Alternatively, if you’re aged 50 - 85 then you may consider an over 50s plan.

You won’t need to disclose your weight when applying for an over 50s plan and you’re guaranteed to be accepted.

Life insurance for overweight applicants with pre-existing conditions

As previously mentioned, it’s unlikely that you’ll be declined life insurance purely due to your weight alone.

However, if additional health complications exist, whether this be as a result of your weight or not, you may find it more difficult to get accepted.

Some common pre-existing medical conditions which have been linked to obesity include:

This doesn’t mean there aren’t still options available to you though.

At Reassured we've a dedicated impaired life insurance team who specialise in finding cover for those who’ve been declined elsewhere.

Our team have helped find cover for people who have previously been declined due to a pre-existing condition.

What if I’ve been refused life insurance due to a high BMI?

Fortunately, if you’ve been refused life insurance in the past due to a high BMI, it’s still possible to secure cover now.

This is because every insurer has different BMI thresholds and levels to which they will refuse life insurance.

Alternatively, if you’re aged 50 - 85 and suffer with a medical condition then you may consider an over 50s plan, as your health or weight won’t affect your eligibility.

Getting in touch with an FCA-regulated broker, such as Reassured, can help you to discover other options which may be available to you.

From our panel of insurers we can present to you the ones who’re most likely to accept your application.

Can you get critical illness cover if you’re overweight?

Yes, it’s possible to get critical illness cover (CIC) if you’re overweight.

CIC provides a cash pay out if you’re diagnosed with a serious but not life threatening illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke.

It’s often compared to income protection insurance, as it can help to replace an income if you’re unable to work.

The funds can be used to help cover the following costs:

  • Mortgage or rent payments
  • Household bills
  • Private medical treatment
  • Day-to-day family living costs

Similar to life insurance, the cost of your monthly premium will depend on your specific BMI, age, smoking status and health.

If your BMI is over 30, then it’s more likely that you’ll pay inflated premiums, and some illnesses may be excluded from your cover.

If your BMI is over 40, then it may be harder to secure critical illness cover, but it’s still worth finding out your options.

Contact Reassured if you’d like to learn more about this type of policy and to compare quotes.

Alternatively, check out this comprehensive guide to critical illness cover »

Can you get income protection if you’re overweight?

Yes, you can get income protection if you’re overweight.

Like with critical illness cover, the success of your application and the cost of your premiums will depend on your specific BMI.

Income protection is a policy which provides monthly payments in the circumstance that you become too ill or injured to work.

The funds can be used to cover essential financial commitments such as mortgage repayments and bills.

For more information and to compare quotes, contact Reassured, or read this full income protection insurance guide »

Compare life insurance quotes for overweight individuals

Whilst it's possible to arrange life insurance cover if you're overweight, the cost can vary significantly between insurers.

Therefore, to ensure you receive the best deal available, it's recommended to compare multiple quotes.

At Reassured, our award-winning team can help you to find the best quotes from our panel of insurers, saving you time and money.

So, get in touch today and secure your loved one's financial future, whatever it may hold.

Compare Life insurance » Find Our Best Quote

More information about life insurance for overweight and high BMI applicants

Am I overweight?

UK guidelines state that anyone with a BMI of 25 or over are considered overweight.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the most accurate measurement as those with high muscle density, such as bodybuilders, have a particularly high BMI.

As a result, this demographic would be considered overweight, even though their fat percentage is extremely low.

In the instance of a high muscle mass distorting your BMI reading, insurers may reward you with standard rates.

Does losing weight affect life insurance?

Yes, losing weight (if you’re classified as overweight, obese or morbidly obese) could affect your life insurance options.

Losing excess weight can help to lower your BMI and, as a result, can reduce the cost of the premium you’re offered when getting a quote.

This is because having low body fat correlates with good health and living a longer life, which reduces the risk you pose to insurers.

Lowering your BMI can also help to improve some health conditions which would typically affect the cost of your life insurance.

For example, if you suffer with high blood pressure or a more serious heart condition, then your premiums would be inflated further.

Being classified as underweight can also affect life insurance. A person with a BMI of under 18.5 would be charged a higher premium due to the health risks associated with being underweight.

Life insurance after weight loss

If you have an existing policy and you've recently lost a significant amount of weight, then you may consider arranging a new policy.

This is because you may be able to secure a lower monthly premium based on your new healthier weight - depending on your current age and health.

Reviewing your existing policy and sourcing quotes will allow you to determine whether getting a new policy will offer you a saving.

Life insurance after surgical weight loss

Surgical weight loss or rapid weight loss, however, could have the opposite effect.

Arranging life insurance immediately after surgical weight loss could result in abnormally high premiums or even being declined due to your recent major operation.

It's likely your application would be deferred until you've made a full recovery.

Rapid weight loss, on the other hand, can point to underlying serious medical conditions.

As a result, you're likely to experience significant loading of your premiums or possibly even being declined.

What if I lie about my weight?

When applying for life insurance, hiding key information about yourself from the insurer is called ‘non-disclosure’.

Any form of non-disclosure will invalidate your policy and a pay out won’t be made when you pass away.

It’s important to disclose your true weight to ensure that you’re getting the right protection and ensure your policy will pay out.

As discussed, it’s possible to obtain affordable life insurance even if you have a high BMI.

You may be able to secure a lower premium than you think.

Life insurance for overweight males and females

Whilst being overweight can affect your life insurance, being male or female won’t make a difference to your application.

In 2012, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that gender can no longer be taken into account when calculating the cost of insurance premiums[1].

Sources:

[1] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/memo_12_1012

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