Obesity is extremely common in the United States and more than 3 million Americans are diagnosed obese every year.

Thankfully, some Insurance providers specialize with life insurance for obese people. Applying with one of these top-rated companies can save you money and decrease your chances of being declined. 

Quick Article Guide:

1. What is the Standard for Obesity?
2. Can I Get Life Insurance if I am Obese?
3. What do Life Insurance Companies Consider Obese?
4. How Much Does Life Insurance Cost if I am Obese?
5. What Affects Life Insurance Rates for Obese People?
6. Compare Life Insurance Rates for Obese People
7. Life Insurance Policies for Obese People
8. The Best Life Insurance Companies for Obese People
9. Tips to Save Money in Life Insurance with Obesity
10. Life Insurance With Other Pre-Existing Conditions?
11. Where to Find the Best Rates and Policies

What Is the Standard for Obesity?

Every year, more than 3 million Americans are diagnosed as obese. These numbers are based on the BMI or Body Mass Index, a chart that assigns a number to you based on your height and weight. A healthy weight has a BMI of 19 to 24, a BMI of 25 to 29 is overweight, and anything above 30 is considered obese.

As An Example: I am 6’2″ so I should weigh 150 to 190 pounds be have a healthy Body Mass Index. With a weight of 234 pounds, I am considered to be obese because my BMI is above 30.

When we think of the word obese, less than flattering images usually enter our heads. During my last physical, when my doctor told me I was considered to be obese, naturally I was alarmed. Thankfully, a handful of the life insurance companies we represent aren’t as strict as the BMI tables.

Can I Get Life Insurance If I Am Overweight or Obese?

Life insurance is available to most obese people, but you need to apply with the right company. A handful of the top-rated life insurance companies actually specialize with applicants who are obese. Your overall health, age, gender, and lifestyle will also impact the options you have and the cost of your coverage. 

Prudential is one of the best companies for obese individuals who are overweight or obese, especially after the age of 60. Their build guidelines are some of the most lenient among all of the top-rated life insurance companies in the United States. We’ve explained more about Prudential’s guidelines in the next section.

Insurance Companies Consider Obese?

The insurance companies have a much different definition of obesity than your doctor might. When I applied for a life insurance policy the same month my physician told me I was obese, Prudential approved at a preferred risk. I actually could have weighed 23 pounds more and still received the same rate.

While a company like Prudential is very lenient with BMI, every company has their own standards to determine your risk. That’s why it is so essential to work with an independent agent. Applying with the best company for your health profile will save you a considerable amount of money on your life insurance premiums.

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost If I Am Obese?

The following tables provide actual term and whole life insurance rates for people who are obese. Most life insurance companies overlook minor health issues like elevated cholesterol or high blood pressure. If you have more severe health issues like diabetes or a history of heart disease, you can expect to pay more. 

20-Year Term $250,000 Obese Male

Sample rates for a male who is 5’9 240lbs with elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Age	Monthly Rate
30	$22
40	$35
50	$80
60	$176

Use Whole Life $250,000 Obese Male

Sample rates for a male who is 5’9 240lbs with elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Age	Monthly Rate
30	$176
40	$280
50	$693
60	$1,020

What Affects Life Insurance Rates for Obese People?

1. Family Health History

Family health history reveals health conditions that might affect you down the road because of your genetics. Life insurance companies only consider your immediate family members, and they are primarily concerned with issues like heart disease, diabetes, strokes, or cancer.

Most life insurance companies are much more concerned about your weight than your family history. But, having an unfavorable family history could have a small impact on your risk class if your weight is the only other factor that is impacting your rates.

2. The Company You Choose

Different life insurance companies will vary in terms of their categorization of BMI. With some companies, individuals with a high BMI will pay much higher rates. Other companies understand that BMI is not indicative of body structure, and might offer preferred rate classes to people who are in good enough health.

Each company is entirely different, making it hard to find out which one is right for you. By working with an independent agent, you can easily find the right company and coverage for your family’s needs.

3. Policy Type

The type of policy you choose will affect the price of your life insurance coverage. Permanent Policies are more expensive than term policies because they provide lifelong protection. While some people might need permanent coverage to protect their estate or leave an inheritance, for most of our client’s, term is a better choice.

No exam policies are usually more expensive than comparable policies that require an exam. In most situations, meeting with a nurse is your best option, especially if you are in good health overall. However, in some unique situations, avoiding an exam might save you some money. 

Guaranteed issue life insurance is the best option for people who have been declined for traditional life insurance coverage. Sometimes, when combined with other pre-existing conditions, obesity can result in denial of coverage because of your overall risk to the insurer.

In these situations, guaranteed issue insurance is your only option. These policies offer up to $25,000 of coverage without an exam, but there is a two-year waiting period. Guaranteed issue insurance is also expensive compared to the options available to healthier applicants.

4. Other Pre-Existing Conditions

Any other pre-existing conditions you have could impact the cost of your life insurance. Minor issues like high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol are usually overlooked, but severe health issues related to obesity, will increase your rates and limit your options.

5. Age

Age is perhaps the most important factor in calculating life insurance rates. Generally speaking, you want to try to secure life insurance coverage by the age of 75, otherwise you face much higher prices and very limited options. By the age of 80, almost every life insurance company has stopped offering coverage. 

By age 65, term and permanent policy options begin to thin out and dramatically increase in price, even with the best life insurance companies for obesity. Buying your life insurance when you are younger will also save you money. Most insurance companies increase their rates by 10-15% per year after age 50.

There is no perfect age to buy life insurance, but anyone in the industry will tell you that the younger you are when you apply for life insurance with obesity, the better. As we get older, our health tends to decline, especially if we are already carrying around a few extra pounds.

Compare Life Insurance Rates for Obese People

Looking to find quick quotes on affordable life insurance with obesity? At JRC, we work with 50 of the Best Life Insurance Companies to find our clients the best rates and policies on the market, every time. You can get started now with our instant quote tool below:

Life Insurance Policies for Obese People

So you are probably asking, “what are my policy options?” Let’s quickly review the types of life insurance in order to help you figure out which is best for your family’s needs. 

Term

You have a few policy options when you purchase life insurance. Term life insurance is the most popular. This particular policy exists for a set term, typically between 10 to 30 years. It is designed to align with financial needs for specific periods of time.  

For Example: If you have 10 years left on your mortgage and 5 years left on your car loan but you don’t want to leave these bills to your family in the event of your death, you could take out a 10-year Term Policy with a face amount equal to your remaining debt.

This type of policy is generally the most affordable, but if you have any severe health conditions, your application could get declined. Working with an independent agent can prevent you from overpaying for your coverage and allow you the chance to review all of your options before you apply.

Permanent

Permanent life insurance policies do not expire unless you reach the maximum policy age, which is usually 121 years. Until that point, permanent policies remain in effect as long as you pay your premiums. Over time, some of these policies accumulate cash value, which is part of an investment component built into the policy.

There are different types of permanent life insurance policies, but the best ones we recommend wont require an investment value. Life insurance is not a good investment vehicle and no investment is without risk. This is why we always recommend permanent life insurance policies that are not tied to the market.

Permanent life insurance is the best for choice for someone who needs to leave money behind to their loved ones. This could include  your spouse, child, or anyone else that is reliant on you for an income or financial support. 

Permanent policies are best for people who have the need to:

• Leave a Legacy
• Establish a Trust
• Provide for a Business
• Create an Estate

If you are looking for truly affordable permanent life insurance coverage with obesity, we strongly suggest you consider guaranteed universal life insurance. These policies are the least expensive form of permanent coverage, and they do not require an investment. You can use quoting tool below to instantly compare rates.

No-Exam

No exam policies, as the name suggests, do not require you to take a medical exam to get life insurance coverage. With traditional term and permanent policies, a medical practitioner will visit you to conduct a routine medical exam and collect blood and urine samples. No exam policies forego this in exchange for slightly higher premiums.

Guaranteed Issue

Guaranteed issue policies are a solution for people who might otherwise be denied coverage through traditional term or permanent policies. These policies offer up to $25,000 of coverage, regardless of your health condition or situation. Guaranteed issue policies do not require the medical exam, but the premiums are higher.

We only recommend this type of policy to people who have no other options. There are more affordable forms of permanent life insurance available to applicants who are in average or better health. 

The Best Life Insurance Companies for Obese People

These 5 companies truly stick out as having some of the best policy options and rates for overweight and obese people. While they may not be the best for every condition or situation, these top obese life insurance companies are the best choice in a vast majority of cases.

1. Banner Life

Financial Rating	Prices	Policies	Reviews	Our Review
A+	$22.91	Level term policies Permanent policies No exam	A+	4.8/ 5

Why Banner Life?

Banner Life is known for their superior rates for people who are overweight and obese. On top of that, they have a quick application process and they offer 35 and 40 year level term policies. Banner is also one of the best choices for type II diabetics who are looking for affordable term life insurance.

Additional Riders:

• Child Protection
• Disability Waiver of Premium
• Accelerated Death Benefit

For a comprehensive review of Banner Life Insurance Company, click here.

2. Protective Life

Financial Rating	Prices	Policies	Reviews	Our Review
A+	$22.82	Level term policies Permanent policies	A+	4.7 / 5

Why Protective Life?

Protective has a wide range of products, both term and permanent. They are also known for their affordable rates for overweight and obese people. In addition they specialize with applicants who have circulatory issue or heart disease. Overall, they are a very financially stable company, with excellent customer service and reviews.  

Additional Riders:

• Child Protection
• Accelerated Death Benefits
• Accidental Death Benefits

For a more in depth review on Protective Life Insurance, check out this guide.

3. AIG (American General)

Financial Rating	Prices	Policies	Reviews	Our Review
A	$22.91	Level term policies Permanent policies  Guaranteed issue	A+	4.6 / 5

Why American General?

AIG has some of the best underwriting practices for people with health conditions. They offer mostly term life insurance, but have great customization on their policies, as well as great riders and benefits. This company is also a great choice for females after the age of 60 because of their competitive rates. 

Additional Riders:

• Child Protection Riders,
• Disability Waiver of Premium,
• Accelerated Death Benefit
• Accidental Death Benefit.

For a comprehensive review of American General life insurance, read more here.

4. Pacific Life

Financial Rating	Prices	Policies	Reviews	Our Review
A+	$22.88	Level term policies Permanent policies	A+	4.6 / 5

Why Pacific Life?

Pacific Life has some of the best life insurance rates for obese people. They have a quick and easy online application process, and offer both term and multiple types of permanent life insurance. In addition, their rates are among the least expensive in the insurance industry.

Additional Riders:

• Accelerated Death Benefits
• Disability Waiver of Premiums
• Child Protection

For more information on Pacific Life, their policies, rates, and more, read our company review.

5. Prudential

Financial Rating	Prices	Policies	Reviews	Our Review
A+	$32.38	Level term policies Permanent policies	A	4.8 / 5

Why Prudential?

Prudential is known for their affordable life insurance rates for people with pre-existing conditions. From diabetes to heart disease, they have lots of affordable policy options for people under age 65. For people over age 65, it is very important you read this guide.

Additional Riders:

• Child Protection
• Disability Waiver of Premium
• Accelerated Death Benefit
• Accidental Death Benefit

To learn more about why Prudential is the best life insurance company for people with pre-existing conditions, including obesity, check out our comprehensive review.

5 Tips to Save on Life Insurance with Obesity

1. Listen to Your Doctor

It is imperative that you listen to your doctor and follow their advice. When your doctor prescribes you with a medication to better manage your condition, or recommends a follow-up visit with a specialist, follow their directions and advice.

The insurance companies will review your medical records to make sure you are managing your health. If they see that you are not listening to your doctor, or not following your doctor’s advice, you will be placed in a higher risk category which means paying higher premiums.

2. Try to Change Your Diet and Lifestyle

No one expects you to lose 50 pounds before you exam, but eating healthy the week before might help. Heavy exercise or rapid dieting can actually offset your liver enzymes so now is not the time to recapture your former glory. However, avoiding alcohol and pizza the night before might help your lab scores.

3. Work With and Independent Agent

Working with an independent agent is always in your best interest. An experienced agent can help you to compare quotes from dozens of life insurance companies. A captive agent like your local home and auto insurance agent can only sell you products from the company the work for. 

Life Insurance With Other Pre-Existing Health Conditions

Many people who are obese worry about being denied coverage because they have additional pre-existing conditions. When evaluating a pre-existing health concern, here are the factors the insurance company will consider:

• Severity of condition
• Management
• How long you have had it
• Medical complications
• Family health history
• Etc…

All of these factors can have an affect your insurance rates and policies available to you. With any health condition, insurance underwriting can get a bit more complicated, so finding personalized quotes is easiest when working with an experienced agent that represents at least a few dozen companies.

This comprehensive guide has everything you need to know about life insurance with pre-existing conditions. These resources are also very helpful:

• How Family Health History Affects Life Insurance Rates
• Easy Ways to Save Money on Life Insurance

Where to Find the Best Rates and Policies

If you are looking to find the best life insurance rates and policies with obesity, we have you covered. JRC Insurance Group, works with more than 50 top-rated life insurance companies to save our clients money. There is no cost to apply for coverage and our shopping services are completely free.

We are here to provide you with a free consultation and help you find your best option. We’ll also walk you through the entire process start to finish. Give us a call today, toll-free, at 855-247-9555 to speak with an expert, or you can get started with the free quoting tool below.