The best life insurance for overweight people includes policies from Protective Insurance, Legal & General, Pacific Life, Lincoln Financial and Ethos. We analyzed major insurers to determine the best across different categories.
Best Life Insurance for Overweight People (2025)
Protective Insurance, Legal & General, Pacific Life, Lincoln Financial and Ethos offer some of the best life insurance for overweight people.
Find out if you're overpaying for life insurance below.
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Updated: December 8, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Protective Insurance earns the highest overall MoneyGeek score for whole and universal life insurance. Legal & General ranks first for term policies, and Pacific Life ranks first for no-exam policies.
Lincoln Financial offers the cheapest average rates, while Ethos provides the best customer experience.
Overweight people wanting life insurance sometimes qualify for standard policies. Alternatives include no-exam policies, annual renewable term plans and group life insurance.
Insurance companies view overweight individuals as high-risk due to the potential associated health conditions, and this often means higher premiums.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having regular health screenings lowers life insurance rates even if you're overweight.
Best Life Insurance Companies for Overweight
Whole and Universal | Protective Insurance | 5 | Whole: $615 (Women) $687 (Men) Universal $258 (Women) $302 (Men) | |
Term | Legal & General | 4.7 | $55 (Women) $75 (Men) | $666(Women) $908 (Men) |
No-Exam | Pacific Life | 4.5 | $57 (Women) $75 (Men) | $676 (Women) $908 (Men) |
Affordability | Lincoln Financial | 4.5 | $45 (Women) $61 (Men) | $548 (Women) $725 (Men) |
Customer Experience | Ethos | 4.4 | $79 (Women) $115 (Men) | $945 (Women) $1,382 (Men) |
Rates above are based on average quotes for $500,000 coverage for 40-year-olds. For term life insurance, we used a 20-year term length. Actual rates vary depending on your coverage needs, age, gender, health and lifestyle.
Best Whole and Universal Life: Protective Insurance
Protective
MoneyGeek Rating
5/ 5
5/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
Whole: $615 (Women); $687 (Men) Universal: $258 (Women); $302 (Men)Based on a $500,000 policy for overweight nonsmokers with average health ratings.Average Annual Cost
Whole: $7,381 (Women); $8,238 (Men) Universal: $3,101 (Women); $3,629(Men)Based on a $500,000 policy for overweight nonsmokers with average health ratings.
Best Term: Legal & General
Legal & General
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
4.7/5Affordability
4.7/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
$55 (Women); $75 (Men)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for overweight nonsmokers with average health ratings.Average Annual Cost
$666(Women); $908 (Men)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for overweight nonsmokers with average health ratings.
Best No-Exam: Pacific Life
Pacific Life
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
4.4/5Affordability
4.5/5Customer Experience
4.7/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
$57 (Women); $75 (Men)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for overweight nonsmokers.Average Annual Cost
$676 (Women); $908 (Men)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for overweight nonsmokers.
Best Cheap: Lincoln Financial
Lincoln Financial
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ 5
5/5Affordability
3.6/5Customer Experience
4.5/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
$45 (Women); $61 (Men)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for overweight nonsmokers.Average Annual Cost
$548 (Women); $725 (Men)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for overweight nonsmokers.
Best for Customer Experience: Ethos
Ethos
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
3.9/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage Points
Average Monthly Cost
$79 (Women); $115 (Men)Based on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for overweight nonsmokers.Average Annual Cost
$945 (Women) $1,382 (MenBased on a 20-year term policy with $500,000 coverage amount for overweight nonsmokers.
How Does Weight Affect Life Insurance Rates?
Insurance companies use underwriting to assess your health risks and set your premiums. Your weight and other health factors, like blood pressure and medical history, are taken into account.
Insurers link higher BMI to health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. If you're overweight, shop with insurers that specialize in higher-risk applicants.
BMI and Life Insurance
Body mass index (BMI) measures whether you have a healthy body weight by comparing your weight to your height. Life insurance companies place applicants into different risk categories based on BMI and other health factors.
- 1Preferred Plus
This is the best rating category. It’s usually for people with a low BMI and no major health problems.
- 2Preferred
This is for generally healthy applicants with a slightly higher BMI.
- 3Standard Plus
Applicants with a moderate BMI and minor health issues.
- 4Standard
This includes applicants with a higher BMI and some health concerns.
- 5Substandard or Table Rating
Applicants with a significantly high BMI or serious health issues.
Insurance companies look at medical conditions or lifestyle factors. These range from minor health issues (such as elevated cholesterol levels, controlled high blood pressure, mild asthma and being slightly overweight) to severe conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Some states regulate weight-based rating factors. Contact a licensed agent to understand regulations in your state.
Average Cost of Life Insurance for Overweight People
People who are overweight pay higher life insurance premiums than those with average health ratings. The table below show average costs of term policies for overweight people who don't smoke. Actual rates vary depending on your profile and the insurer's underwriting guidelines.
Average Cost of Term Life Insurance for Overweight People
Data filtered by:
10 years
Select
Female
| $100,000 | $9 | $114 |
| $250,000 | $16 | $189 |
| $500,000 | $27 | $322 |
| $750,000 | $40 | $483 |
| $1,000,000 | $51 | $615 |
| $1,500,000 | $75 | $908 |
| $2,000,000 | $97 | $1,174 |
| $2,500,000 | $123 | $1,483 |
| $3,000,000 | $143 | $1,737 |
Rates shown are estimates based on sample profiles. Your actual rates will vary based on your specific health, lifestyle, and underwriting factors.
Life Insurance Quotes for Overweight People
Each insurer has different criteria for assessments, so compare offers to find the best rates. The cost calculator below gives you quotes from different insurers in minutes to help you estimate your premiums.
Life Insurance Calculator
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Rates updated:
Dec 08, 2025
Other Factors Impacting Life Insurance Cost
BMI plays an important role in determining life insurance premiums, but it's not the only factor insurers consider. Weight-related health conditions, lifestyle habits and family medical history also contribute to overall life insurance rates.
Weight-Related Conditions
Beyond BMI, insurance companies consider weight-related health conditions when determining life insurance premiums. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, associated with being overweight, lead to higher premiums.
Lifestyle Habits
Lifestyle habits influence life insurance costs. Habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, drug use and engaging in high-risk activities like extreme sports or dangerous occupations result in higher premiums. Staying active and eating well lowers what you pay.
Family Medical History
Your family medical history is another factor insurance companies consider. If your family has a history of certain genetic diseases like cancer, heart disease or diabetes, you'll pay higher premiums.
How to Find the Best Life Insurance for Overweight People
Finding the best life insurance when you're overweight requires smart shopping. Multiple insurers offer coverage for higher BMI applicants, each with different underwriting standards and pricing.
- 1Understand Your Needs
Determine your coverage amount by evaluating your financial obligations, dependents and income replacement needs. Your weight doesn't change how much life insurance your family requires.
- 2Evaluate Your Health
Know your current weight, BMI and weight-related health conditions before applying. Your health profile helps you target insurers with favorable underwriting for your situation.
- 3Research Your Options
Compare standard life insurance, guaranteed issue, simplified issue, and group life insurance policies. Each insurer sets different BMI limits and weight requirements during underwriting.
- 4Compare Quotes
Shop with insurers known for competitive rates on higher-risk applicants. Premium differences between companies can exceed 50% for the same coverage amount.
- 5Apply for Coverage
Provide accurate health information on your application. Honest disclosure prevents policy cancellation and claim denials later.
Tips to Secure Better Rates for Life Insurance if Overweight
There are ways for overweight people to get better life insurance rates:
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
Getting healthier is one of the best ways to bring down your life insurance costs. Regular exercise, eating well and keeping your BMI in check helps you manage your weight and feel better overall. A healthy lifestyle helps manage or prevent weight-related health conditions, improving your insurability.
Regular Medical Check-Ups
Regular checkups catch health issues early and help you manage them. This shows insurers you're serious about staying healthy, which lowers your rates. Having medical records proves you're on top of any health conditions.
Consult With an Insurance Professional
Consulting with an insurance professional helps you find better life insurance rates. They'll walk you through the process, explain how different policies work and help you find one that fits your needs and budget. An insurance professional provides advice on how to improve your insurability and lower your rates.
Life Insurance for Overweight: Policy Options
Finding life insurance when you're overweight creates challenges, but multiple life insurance types provide the financial protection your family needs. Premiums will be higher, but you can secure quality coverage by understanding what each policy type offers.
Types of Policies | Description |
|---|---|
Standard Life Insurance Policies | Standard life insurance policies usually require a medical exam, including weight and BMI measurements. These policies can be further categorized into:
|
Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance | These policies skip the medical exam and health questionnaire entirely. You're guaranteed acceptance regardless of your health status, including weight concerns. The trade-off is higher premiums than traditional policies. |
Simplified Issue Life Insurance | This type of policy doesn't require a full medical exam but does involve a health questionnaire. The questionnaire typically includes questions about your weight, lifestyle habits and medical history. While it's easier to qualify for simplified issue life insurance than standard life insurance, premiums may be higher, especially for overweight applicants. It can be a good option for those who want to avoid a medical exam but are in relatively good health. |
Annual Renewable Life Insurance | This term policy lets you renew each year without another medical exam. The premium starts low and increases each year as you age. While overweight individuals can benefit from the no-exam feature, the increasing premiums can become costly over time. |
Group Life Insurance | Many employers include group life insurance in their benefits package. No medical exam is required, which works well if you're overweight. You'll get less coverage than with individual plans, plus it ends when you change employers. |
Life Insurance for Overweight People: Bottom Line
Finding life insurance for overweight people is challenging. IWeight impacts life insurance premiums through BMI-based underwriting, but multiple coverage options exist for higher-BMI applicants.
Based on MoneyGeek's analysis, Protective Insurance, Legal & General, Pacific Life, Lincoln Financial and Ethos are the top-rated insurers for people who are overweight.
Compare Life Insurance Rates
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.
Life Insurance for High BMI: FAQ
We answered common questions about life insurance options for overweight people.
Should I lose weight before getting life insurance?
Don't delay getting life insurance to lose weight first. Insurance companies require stable weight loss maintained for at least one year before considering rate reductions. Secure coverage now, then request a policy review after achieving significant, sustained weight loss to lower your life insurance premiums.
What BMI do you need for life insurance?
There's no minimum body mass index (BMI) requirement for life insurance qualification. Each insurer sets its own maximum BMI thresholds and evaluation criteria. You'll get better rates with a lower BMI, but high-BMI applicants still have coverage options through specialized insurers or alternative policy types.
Can you be denied life insurance due to your weight?
Insurance companies rarely deny life insurance due to weight alone. Most insurers accommodate various body types through different rate classes. If one company declines coverage, shop with other insurers or consider guaranteed issue policies, simplified issue coverage or group life insurance through your employer.
How much does BMI affect life insurance?
Insurers use BMI charts to set rates, with a higher BMI resulting in higher premiums.
Life Insurance for Overweight Individuals: Our Review Methodology
Shopping for life insurance when you're overweight means higher premiums and longer application processes because insurers view elevated BMI as increased health risk. Higher BMI applicants often struggle to compare accurate rates because quotes vary between insurers: some companies specialize in higher-risk applicants, while others price you out entirely. We built this research to show what you'll actually pay across different insurers, coverage amounts, and health profiles.
We collected quotes from major life insurance companies with national coverage that provide online quotes, ensuring our data reflects real rates available to customers rather than theoretical pricing that doesn't match what you'll encounter during actual applications.
Sample Profile
- 40-year-old nonsmoking man
- 5 feet 9 inches tall
- 220 pounds
- average health rating
For women's quotes, we adjusted to 5 feet 4 inches and 210 pounds to reflect typical height and weight differences. These weights represent overweight but not obese BMI ranges, the sweet spot where rate shopping matters most because you're not yet facing automatic substandard ratings, but still pay more than standard rates.
Our overall scores are based on:
- Affordability: 55%
- Customer Experience: 30%
- Coverage Options: 15%
A 40-year-old at 220 pounds (BMI 32.5) sits just above the "overweight" threshold where insurers start applying rate increases. This BMI level shows meaningful premium differences between companies without triggering automatic substandard ratings that severely limit your options. Younger applicants might offset weight concerns with age advantages, while older applicants face compounded pricing factors where both age and weight increase premiums.
Overweight Life Insurance: Related Pages
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.