Underweight
📍 BMI below 18.5
Insurers may ask for more medical information to understand whether your low BMI is linked to an illness.
If there are no related conditions, you may still qualify for standard rates.
BMI and life insurance
BMI and life insurance.
Does my weight impact life insurance?
Yes, your weight can affect the cost of life insurance.
Insurance costs are based on how likely someone with your risk profile is to make a claim, and being overweight or underweight increases the risk of developing certain health conditions.
Insurers will usually factor your Body Mass Index (BMI) into your policy price. This is a measure of health calculated from your height and weight.
Being overweight or underweight doesn’t mean you can't get life insurance. Many providers offer policies to people with higher or lower BMIs, especially if you have no other health issues.
What is body mass index (BMI)?
Body mass index (BMI) is a simple way of checking whether your weight is healthy for your height. It is used by the NHS and other health organisations around the world.
How is BMI calculated?
BMI is calculated using your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared.
BMI scores are usually grouped into the following categories:
underweight: below 18.5
healthy weight: 18.5 to 24.9
overweight: 25 to 29.9
obese: 30 or above
🚩 BMI has been criticised as a measure of health
BMI can misclassify some healthy people because it doesn’t distinguish between fat and muscle, or account for factors like age and ethnicity. Life insurers know this, and will factor in other health indicators when setting premiums.
Can I get life insurance if I am overweight?
Many people with a BMI outside the "healthy" range can still get life insurance. According to the NHS, 66%
-
-
Healthy weight
📍 BMI 18.5 to 24.9
You are most likely to qualify for standard premiums. This means you should have access to the widest range of cover options at competitive prices.
Your premium will still depend on other factors such as age, smoking status and medical history.
-
Overweight
📍 BMI 25 to 29.9
Many insurers will offer standard cover at standard rates, particularly if you have no related conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.
In some cases, premiums may be slightly higher.
-
Obese
📍 BMI 30 and above
You are more likely to pay higher premiums. The increase depends on your exact BMI and whether you have associated health risks.
Standard cover is often available, although very high BMI levels may limit the number of insurers willing to offer terms.
Our expert says…
BMI can be a helpful starting point for life insurance underwriting, but it’s rarely the whole story. Insurers increasingly assess people holistically, looking at overall health, medical history and lifestyle - not just weight - to understand long‑term risk.
John Downes Director of Underwriting & Claims Strategy – VitalityLife
How can maintaining a healthy weight benefit my health?
Maintaining a BMI in the 'healthy' range is associated with a variety of long-term health benefits.
For example, Vitality claims data from 2021 to 2024 showed that people living with obesity had a significantly increased risk of hospitalisation compared to people with a healthy BMI:
All conditions
35%^
higher hospitalisation rate for people living with obesity compared to people with a healthy BMI.
Musculoskeletal conditions
70% ^
higher hospitalisation rate for people living with obesity compared to people with a healthy BMI.
Cardiac conditions
123%^
higher hospitalisation rate for people living with obesity compared to people with a healthy BMI.
Will losing weight make my life insurance cheaper?
If your body mass index moves into a lower category and your weight has been stable for a period of time (usually at least 12 months), you may qualify for better rates. Insurers will usually want to see that the weight loss is sustained, not recent or temporary.
You generally have two options. You can ask your current insurer to review your premium, although not all providers offer this. Or you can apply for a new policy based on your updated health profile.
Before cancelling an existing policy, check whether your age or any new medical conditions could offset the savings. Comparing fresh quotes can help you see whether switching would genuinely reduce your costs.
What impact do weight loss medications such as Ozempic and Mounjaro have on life insurance?
If you are using weight-loss injections, such as Ozempic or Mounjaro, you should declare this on your life insurance application, along with any other medications you are taking.
However, the jabs themselves are unlikely to have much impact on your premium. It is more likely your price will be influenced by the underlying medical condition you are treating, such as a high BMI or diabetes.
In some cases, insurers may view the use of weight-loss medication positively, if they see it as you taking steps to manage your health. Vitality, for example, has started offering some of its high-BMI health insurance customers discounted weight-loss support, including discounts on GLP-1s.
Does weight loss surgery impact life insurance?
Yes, weight loss surgery can affect your life insurance. You must declare it, alongside any other pre-existing medical conditions, when you take out life insurance, and insurers will factor this medical history into the premium they offer you.
The type of questions life insurers may ask you about your weight loss surgery include:
the type of surgery you had, such as gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy
when the surgery took place
your current body mass index
whether your weight has stabilised
any related health conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
You may also not be able to take out a policy immediately after a surgery. Insurers often ask applicants to have been fully discharged by their medical team before they'll progress your application.
Do I need to tell my life insurer if I gain weight during my policy term?
No, you do not usually need to tell your life insurer if you gain weight after your policy has started.
Life insurance is based on your health at the time you apply. Once your policy is active, changes such as weight gain typically do not affect your premium or cover.
However, if you are applying for a new policy or increasing your cover, you must provide accurate and up-to-date information, including your current weight.
If you are unsure, check your policy wording or contact your insurer to confirm whether any changes need to be disclosed.
I'm pregnant. Do I put my pregnancy weight or my usual weight on my life insurance application?
Life insurance underwriters understand that pregnancy causes temporary weight gain. They will therefore often want to know your pre-pregnancy weight in order to calculate your usual body mass index more accurately.
Pregnancy does not usually increase life insurance premiums as pregnancy itself is not typically treated as a medical risk. However, if you develop conditions such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, this may affect underwriting.
Should I wait until I've lost weight to apply for life insurance?
It depends on your priorities and your health. Life insurance premiums are based on your health at the time you apply. If your body mass index is likely to fall into a lower category and your weight loss is sustainable, waiting could mean lower premiums. However, delaying also means going without cover in the meantime.
You should also consider that:
premiums increase with age
new medical conditions could develop
insurers may want your weight to be stable before offering improved rates
If you need protection now, it may make sense to apply and review your options later. If you are close to reaching a lower BMI category and your weight is stable, waiting could be worthwhile.
Comparing quotes can help you weigh up the difference in cost before deciding.
Can my life insurance help me lose weight?
Yes, some life insurance companies offer lifestyle benefits that can help with weight loss, such as discounts on gym membership, nutritional advice, or incentives to make healthy choices, such as free treats for hitting daily step goals.
The insurer Vitality says that 48%
In 2025, Vitality started offering discounts of up to 20% on weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro for some life and health insurance customers. Customers must have a BMI above 30 (or over 27 with a weight-related health condition) to be eligible.
On average, participants in the medicated pathway lost 24%
Five tips for building healthier daily habits
Thinking about losing weight, improving your health, or just feeling better in yourself? Here are some practical tips.
What BMI is considered too high for life insurance?
You may find it more difficult to get life insurance cover if your BMI is over 40. The NHS classes this as severe "Class III" obesity, with a significantly increased risk of developing serious health conditions such as cancer or diabetes. The life insurance policies that are available may also come with extra exclusions or be more expensive than for someone with a lower BMI.
However, insurers assess applications on a case-by-case basis, and a variety of factors beyond your BMI will affect what life insurance cover you can access.
Will I need a medical exam because of my BMI?
No, even if your BMI is outside the "healthy" range, you do not usually need a medical exam to apply for life insurance. Most life insurance applications involve answering health questions, but full medical exams are uncommon.
However, if your BMI is very high or low, an insurer may ask you for more medical information. For example, they could ask for a report from your GP about your health.
Is BMI the only health measure life insurers use?
No, BMI is not the only health measure life insurers use when setting premiums. Insurers will look at your overall health and associated risk profile. This could include asking about:
blood pressure
cholesterol
diabetes status
family medical history
smoking and alcohol use
Someone with a high BMI but normal blood pressure and no related conditions may receive better terms than someone with multiple risk factors.
I only have a high BMI because I have a more muscular build, will life insurers still charge me more?
Not necessarily. Life insurers will look at your overall health, not just your BMI. The healthier you are, the lower your life insurance premiums are likely to be.
Since BMI does not distinguish between fat and muscle, it can incorrectly class people with low body fat and high muscle mass as overweight and obese. If you fall into this category, it may be worth speaking to your life insurer and providing alternative measures of health such as your waist measurements or medical records.
What is the difference between overweight and obese for life insurance?
"Overweight" and "obese" are medical terms which describe different brackets of body mass index (BMI). Overweight is defined as a BMI between 25 and 29.9, while obese is defined as a BMI of 30 or above.
For example, a woman who is 5ft 5in tall would be classed as overweight at around 68kg, or 10st 10lb. She would move into the obese category at around 82kg, or 12st 12lb.
Life insurers usually follow these same BMI categories when assessing applications. If you are overweight, you may still qualify for standard premiums if you have no related health conditions. If you are obese, you are more likely to pay higher premiums because obesity is linked to increased risks such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Are BMI categories different for people of different ethnicities?
Yes, BMI categories can differ for some ethnic groups.
Research shows that people from South Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Black African or Caribbean backgrounds may face higher health risks, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, at lower BMI levels than white European populations.
Because of this, health organisations like the NHS use lower BMI thresholds to flag increased risk in some ethnic groups. For example, a BMI of 23 may be considered increased risk for South Asian adults, compared to 25 in the standard classification.
Does being underweight affect life insurance?
Yes, being underweight can affect your life insurance, although it is less common than pricing for higher BMI.
If your body mass index is below 18.5, insurers may ask additional questions to see if your weight is linked to underlying health conditions, nutritional issues or recent illness. If there is no medical cause and your overall health is good, you may still qualify for standard rates. If there are related health concerns, premiums could be higher or further medical evidence may be requested.
As with any BMI category, insurers assess your full health profile, not just your weight alone.
Why is my life insurer asking for my waist to height ratio?
Your insurer may ask for your waist-to-height ratio because it can give a clearer picture of health risk than body mass index alone.
Body mass index measures overall weight relative to height, but it does not show where fat is stored. Carrying excess weight around the abdomen is linked to higher risks of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Waist-to-height ratio helps underwriters assess this more accurately.
A ratio above 0.5 is often considered higher risk in medical research. For example, if you are 5ft 5in tall, a waist measurement above 85cm would exceed that threshold.
Insurers use this information alongside other factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and medical history. It does not automatically mean you will pay more, but it can help them price your policy more precisely.
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Reviewed on 18 Aug 2026
Based on the median annual price of third party, fire & theft car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket in June 2026.
Based on the median annual price of comprehensive car insurance policies sold through MoneySuperMarket in June 2026.
Defaqto is a leading independent reviewer of financial products. Five stars is for 'An excellent product with a comprehensive range of features and benefits'.
Individual insurance products from Swiftcover may have different ratings. Data from the Defaqto website. Data from April 2026.
Lowest representative APR for loans between £7.5k and £15k. Accurate on 09 June 2026. Subject to credit status.
Source: Vitality, 2025. 'Vitality To Offer Weight Loss Medication Through Health Insurance' https://www.vitality.co.uk/media/vitality-to-offer-weight-loss-medication-through-health-insurance/
Source: Vitality, 2025. 'Vitality To Offer Weight Loss Medication Through Health Insurance' https://www.vitality.co.uk/media/vitality-to-offer-weight-loss-medication-through-health-insurance/
Source: Vitality, 2025. 'Vitality To Offer Weight Loss Medication Through Health Insurance' https://www.vitality.co.uk/media/vitality-to-offer-weight-loss-medication-through-health-insurance/
