Life Insurance...Obesity!

hammy1988 · 20 July 2017 at 11:31AM

I'm trying to get life insurance and am getting turned down everywhere! I'm guessing it's because I am 20 stone as I am 28, never smoked and only work part time in retail.

My partner has it, and he serves in the Royal Navy and puts his life on the line daily yet I can't seem to get it :rotfl:?

I know it's because of my weight but other than someone stating the obvious (to lose weight) are there any insurances out there that have accepted obese/overweight people for life insurance?

*We have a £200k mortgage and would like to protect this should anything happen to us

Weighty1 · 20 July 2017 at 11:53AM

It will depend on your BMI. Whilst you've stated your weight, you've not mentioned you height.

Some insurers are more tolerant to a high BMI and there are specialist providers which can offer cover when clients are declined by mainstream providers.

Out of interest, how tall are you?

hammy1988 · 20 July 2017 at 3:43PM

5ft 6 so it will be a high BMI I would have thought

martinsurrey · 20 July 2017 at 4:41PM

hammy1988 wrote: »

5ft 6 so it will be a high BMI I would have thought

20 stone at 5'6"

BMI=45.1

Class III obesity, or Morbidly Obese.

Not something a lot of insurers will look past, and if they do expect a hefty premium and a lot of exclusions, which is something I would consider as they will most likely be the things that will make insurance necessary for you.

pjereed · 20 July 2017 at 4:50PM

There are a couple of options available to you for Life Insurance. You won't be in a position to get Critical Illness Cover or Income Protection, however Life Insurance should be obtainable at a loaded premium (ie. above the 'standard' price that you will see advertised).

I would recommend speaking with a Protection Specialist to get a rounded view of all insurers criteria. Doing some initial research, assuming there are no other health complications, it would appear you should be able to get cover with a 250% increase in the premium with a nurse screening where they take your height, weight and blood pressure.

Knowing the insurers criteria is really important, and will save you a lot of time, so definitely seek advice.

hammy1988 · 20 July 2017 at 4:51PM

Hubby is insured so that's something I suppose. He is the main breadwinner...by very far lol. Thanks all.

pjereed · 20 July 2017 at 4:56PM

To put the increase into monetary terms, if the premium for your cover is advertised at £10 per month, your BMI would raise the premium to £35 per month. Whatever the premium becomes, you've already identified that you need to have cover in place, so as long as it's affordable you should still pursue getting the cover in place. Whilst Mr is currently earning a good income, things can change in future - you never know what's around the corner (the whole purpose of insurance!) so try and provision accordingly where you can.

ThinkingOutLoud_2 · 20 July 2017 at 10:14PM

Hammy 1988 as per peered - there are some insurers who will likely provide cover.

It is common for mainstream insurers to stop offering cover as you get into BMIs above 30ish.

You don't mention any other medical conditions (not asking) - this will help - but again isn't necessarily the end if you did. The insurer will need to know.

You could try Pulse Insurance who specialise in finding cover when most insurers decline.

As said, don't give up, as you could do with some cover at least...

Weighty1 · 21 July 2017 at 9:55AM

ThinkingOutLoud wrote: »

You could try Pulse Insurance who specialise in finding cover when most insurers decline.

I've just looked at an underwriting manual which would suggest that going down the specialist route shouldn't be needed, nor is the loading likely to be as high as 250%.

AIG is suggesting that cover could be feasible with a loading of probably not much more than 150%, although it would be subject to a nurse screening and lipid profile.

Hammy, as has been suggested, try speaking to a protection specialist who works on a whole of market basis and is happy to speak to the underwriters to check the terms available.

ThinkingOutLoud_2 · 23 July 2017 at 9:25PM

Weighty1 wrote: »

I've just looked at an underwriting manual which would suggest that going down the specialist route shouldn't be needed, nor is the loading likely to be as high as 250%.

Weighty you may be right.

It all depends what "I'm trying to get life insurance and am getting turned down everywhere!" means / where has been tried already. I took it at face value.

Equally, it could be wrong to assume that a specialist will always be more expensive at this kind of BMI and as often conditions co-exist and these may affect the premium / availability (I know that you may have no other conditions here).

OP - both of us have valid points - try to look around - but don't give up hope as the specialist market may well help if the standard market won't.

soolin · 16 February 2018 at 11:37PM

Mcnaughtonk, you are touting for business which is against the rules , you also appear to have completely failed to notice that you are bumping an old thread.

Reported to the forum team. Please just click the spam button.

Life Insurance...Obesity!

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