Overweight life insurance

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Melanie_12
Melanie_12 Posts: 7 Forumite
in Insurance & life assurance
So... I'm classed as morbidly obese. I have no 'other' health conditions but still being refused life insurance which I understand to be because they think I'm going to drop dead any time now.

I don't smoke or drink and live a relatively active lifestyle NOW and losing weight slowly.

I believe when my partner and I apply for a mortgage I'm going to need life insurance. I only want one to cover the mortgage should I die, I don't want a hefty pay out.

Can anyone help with pointing me in the direction please?

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  • Aretnap
    Aretnap Posts: 5,215 Forumite
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    edited 4 June 2018 at 8:04PM
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    Melanie_12 wrote: »
    still being refused life insurance which I understand to be because they think I'm going to drop dead any time now.
    It won't be because they think you're going to drop dead "any time now" but because they think you're at significantly higher risk of death over the next 30 years, or however long the policy will be active for. Life insurance is priced based on long term risks. And a lot of the mainstream provides simply won't cover risks that they perceive to be high or unusual - their business model is geared towards the 90% of customers who have unremarkable circumstances.

    There may be specialist providers who will offer cover and you could do worse that to speak to an independent financial adviser or a mortgage broker with access to the whole of the market (not a mortgage adviser found in a high street bank) who will doubtless have dealt with people in your position before and will know where to look.

    Best of luck with losing weight.
  • Weighty1
    Weighty1 Posts: 1,181 Forumite
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    Depending on your exact BMI there may be some mainstream insurers who would offer cover as each company has different guidelines they follow.

    As Aretnap mentions there are also specialist providers, however, typically these need to be approached using a broker as they don't have the facility for direct sales. I'd either speak to an IFA who is recommended to you to see if they'd be comfortable sourcing the best company or use google as there are plenty of companies out there who could help you.
  • bluep
    bluep Posts: 1,299 Forumite
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    Vitality are good - they add on a policy premium load if your BMI is over a certain amount (which puts them in line with other insurance providers rather than more expensive if you know what I mean), then if you reduce your BMI below a certain level and keep it there for 6 months, they will take off the policy premium load so you end up with lower premiums...unless you put the weight back on again.
  • csgohan4
    csgohan4 Posts: 10,587 Forumite
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    being morbidly obese is not something to take lightly, you might not have issues at this time but you will in the future, Your plumbing inside are already furring up and eventually your body can take more, hence heart attacks and stroke.


    Not to mention Diabetes and early onset arthritis.


    Good luck losing weight
    "It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"

    G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP
  • ACG
    ACG Posts: 23,729 Forumite
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    I had a meeting with a life insurance company a few months ago who offer insurance to those who are overweight, every year they will ask you for your weight and set you targets. If you hit those targets your premiums come down.

    Speak to a broker, there may be options out there for you.
    I am a Mortgage Adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a mortgage adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
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