The Effect of Obesity on Life Insurance

Much like the rest of the planet, Obesity rates in Canada are firmly growing. In 2004, the Canadian Community Health Survey showed that 23.1% of individuals 18 and older (an estimated 5.5 million adults) had a Body Mass Index of 30 or greater, making them obese. But it didn’t end there, over 36% were shown to be heavier than average.

With so many more Canadians dealing with the certainty of Obesity and the problems that go with it, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and coronary heart disease, this new certainty can have a direct impact on their classification and their ability to get life insurance. Life insurance and its four types:

Preferred Rates: If you are fit and without illness and have no family history of medical issues.
Standard Rates: Most persons are on the standard rate.
Rated/Substandard: Given to applicants who have a bigger risk level.
Declined: By which the insurance company fails to cover an applicant.

Standard cover would be granted to a healthy man who weighed 250lbs and had a height of 5’9″ – this is derived on an in-house inquiry completed by some of the life insurance companies.

Unfortunately futher health problems usually arise when a person is obese, as a result insurance underwriters take these factors into their calculations when deciding on the classification a person falls under. Purchasing an affordable premium by writing a covering letter with your application and/or asking for a preliminary offer is one of the reasons you need to find a decent broker to help you.

Making an insurance company aware of lifestyle or any variables that may alter your quote is common sense if you want a fair quote, especially as many companies use the same height/weight chart for both genders. If you are overweight, then as an option to standard Life Insurance, it could be more cost saving for you to look at Simplified Issue Life Insurance. These policies have no medical examinations and less health questions. With an enhancement in payment options over the last few years they are not as poor value as they have been.  For more information, visit our instant life insurance quote calculator.

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