Life Insurance for People With Obesity: 5 Factors To Expect

Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, M.D.

Written by Suzanne Mooney

Posted on October 31, 2025

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When shopping for life insurance, it’s important to understand the basics, such as the difference between whole life insurance and term life insurance, how to choose beneficiaries, and what death benefits a policy includes. But people living with obesity have even more details to consider.

Insurance companies view obesity, like other chronic health conditions, as a potential risk factor. This can affect both your eligibility for coverage and how much you’ll pay for a life insurance policy. Understanding how insurers evaluate applications and what you can do to strengthen yours can help you approach the application process with greater confidence.

If you or a loved one is planning to buy life insurance while living with obesity, here are five key factors to be aware of.

1. Obesity Can Affect Eligibility

Underwriting is the process insurance companies use to assess a person’s risk. Insurers want to know how likely it is they’ll need to pay out a claim, which helps them decide whether to offer coverage and, if so, at what cost.

One of the main factors involved in underwriting is body mass index (BMI), which is a measure of body weight relative to height. Although it doesn’t tell the full story of a person’s health, BMI score can play a significant role in how insurers evaluate risk.

BMI categories include underweight, healthy weight, overweight, and three classes of obesity: class 1 (mild), class 2 (moderate), and class 3 (severe).

Because high BMI scores are linked to certain health issues such as hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol, an applicant with a higher score may be seen as a greater risk, which can make it harder to qualify for some policies.

That said, every insurance company calculates risk differently. Some companies have life insurance weight limits based on height, whereas others take a more holistic approach or offer more expensive plans for high-risk applicants. If you’re denied by one insurer, don’t give up. It’s worth looking elsewhere.

2. Obesity Can Raise Premiums

Life insurance companies also consider BMI when setting premiums. A life insurance premium is the amount you pay to keep your policy active. A higher BMI can lead to higher premiums because it may indicate increased health risks.

During the underwriting process, insurance companies assign applicants to rate classes based on factors such as health history and lifestyle. For example, someone in excellent health who has never smoked will typically pay less than someone who has chronic health conditions or engages in high-risk activities like skydiving or scuba diving. Ultimately, life insurance providers are trying to answer one key question: How likely is this person to die at any given age?

Obesity is linked to several health conditions that can affect life expectancy, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancer. Because of these associations, applicants classified as obese may be placed in a higher risk class, which often means higher premiums.

Underwriting guidelines vary by insurer, so the impact of obesity on your life insurance premium can differ among companies. To get the best rates and coverage options, it’s worth shopping around.

3. BMI Isn’t the Only Consideration

BMI isn’t the only factor insurers consider when determining life insurance costs and eligibility. Being in good health can work in your favor, despite your BMI score.

Medical History and Lifestyle

Most life insurance applications include a medical exam, which includes providing blood and urine samples. These tests help insurers assess key health markers such as cholesterol, blood sugar, and kidney or liver function. You’ll likely also be screened for high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions.

Insurers often ask about specific weight-related medical conditions such as sleep apnea, joint issues, or cardiovascular problems, and they may want to review your medical records. Your family medical history will also come into play, especially if it includes heart disease, cancer, or diabetes.

Lifestyle habits may be considered, too. You’ll likely be asked about tobacco, alcohol, and drug use, as well as your stress levels and physical activity. These factors can significantly influence your risk profile.

Other Risk Factors

Insurers may also assess a wide range of personal and lifestyle factors, including:

Age
Gender
Occupation
Income
Driving record
Military service history
Criminal record
Foreign travel
Citizenship or immigration status

Each of these factors can influence how an insurer views your overall risk. Some may carry more importance than others, depending on the policy type and insurer.

If you don’t want to take a medical test or your application is denied, some companies offer guaranteed issue policies. These plans usually cost more and provide fewer benefits because they don’t require a medical exam or factor in your health.

For questions about how your overall health or personal history might affect your options, reach out to the insurance company or an independent broker for details and guidance.

4. You Can — and Should — Shop Around

It’s smart to compare insurance quotes from multiple providers. Every life insurance company has its own criteria for evaluating applications. A higher rate quote or a decline from one company doesn’t mean you’ll get the same response elsewhere. Some insurers have more flexible underwriting guidelines, especially when it comes to weight-related health factors, and may offer different types of life insurance or coverage amounts.

Consider working with an independent life insurance agent. An independent agent or broker isn’t tied to one company, so they can collect quotes from multiple providers, giving you a variety of insurance products and rates to compare. Experienced agents also tend to know the best life insurance companies to approach based on how accommodating they are toward applicants with obesity.

Price isn’t everything, either. Before choosing an insurance provider, take a look at their customer service reviews. You can also search the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Complaint Index to see if a company is reputable.

Although obesity can make the process more complex, it doesn’t mean you have to settle. Keep exploring your options until you find a life insurance policy that meets your needs.

5. Your Options May Improve Over Time

Making lifestyle and health changes may lead to better rates and coverage in the future. Many insurers will allow you to retake your medical exam if you’ve made significant health improvements. For example, weight loss or improved key health markers like blood pressure or cholesterol could help you qualify for a lower life insurance premium. Some companies may reassess your rate as soon as you’re ready, but others may ask you to wait 12 months to ensure the changes are long term.

One of the most impactful lifestyle changes you can make is quitting smoking. Tobacco use significantly hikes life insurance rates, and many insurers offer better pricing if you haven’t smoked for a year or more.

Wherever you’re at in your life insurance planning, start working with your healthcare provider or an obesity specialist now to set goals and track progress. Even small, consistent steps like adopting healthier eating habits or being more physically active can make a difference over time, both for your health and for your life insurance coverage.