BMI Can Affect Your Life Insurance Premiums

Unfortunately many people fail to associate life insurance quotes with weight and obesity and some find themselves with high life insurance rates, without knowing why they are so high.

Life insurance quotes are based on several factors and the height and weight of an applicant is one of those factors.

Many Insurance companies have now taken a harder line with customers who are classified as overweight obese, and now calculate how much you will have to pay for life cover by your BMI.

What is your Risk?

1. Body Mass Index (BMI)

BMI is a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death. The score is valid for both men and women but it does have some limits.

The limits are:

• It may overestimate body fat in athletes and others who have a muscular build.
• It may underestimate body fat in older persons and others who have lost muscle mass.

Use the BMI calculator or table to estimate your total body fat. The BMI score means the following:

2. Waist Circumference

Determine your waist circumference by placing a measuring tape snugly around your waist. It is a good indicator of your abdominal fat which is another predictor of your risk for developing risk factors for heart disease and other diseases. This risk increases with a waist measurement of over 40 inches in men and over 35 inches in women.

3. Other Risk Factors

Besides being overweight or obese, there are additional risk factors to consider:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High LDL - cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
• Low HDL - cholesterol (good cholesterol)
• High triglycerides
• High blood glucose (sugar)
• Family history of premature heart disease
• Physical inactivity
• Cigarette smoking

4. Assessment

For people who considered obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30) or those who are overweight (BMI of 25 to 29.9) and have two or more risk factors, the guidelines recommend weight loss. Even a small weight loss (just 10 per cent of your current weight) will help to lower your risk of developing diseases associated with obesity. Patients, who are overweight, do not have a high waist measurement, and have less than 2 risk factors may prevent further weight gain rather than lose weight.

Talk to your doctor to see if you are at an increased risk and if you should lose weight. Your doctor will evaluate your BMI, waist measurement, and other risk factors for heart disease. People who are overweight or obese have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol or other lipid disorders, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, and even a small weight loss (just 10 percent of your current weight) will help to lower your risk of developing those diseases.

Losing Weight and Life Insurance Premiums

If your BMI was high when you first applied for life insurance, and if your weight comes down to what is considered to be a healthy BMI and you are able to maintain that weight for a period of 12 months, your life insurance premiums may be reduced down to a standard rate.