Why is your BMI important?
While it's not necessarily the most accurate measurement of body fat or physical health, your weight and height will play a big part when the time comes for you to start a life insurance application. This is pretty personal information, but it's also hugely important for your insurer as there may be an increased risk of health conditions based on your weight.Lucky for you, we have a handy BMI calculator which you can use to get an idea of where you stand.Generally speaking, if you have a higher BMI, you'll have higher life insurance premiums.
An insurer will never ask you to undergo a medical exam if you have a high or low BMI. However, they may be interested in knowing if you have any medical records or medical history associated with your weight, such as a history of heart disease or high blood pressure.
How can we help?
Interestingly, insurer attitudes can be different when it comes to weight and height ratios. We will often see cases where “Insurer A” might place an increased premium on a policy, while “Insurer B” will have no increased cost.If you're worried that your BMI may have an impact on your life insurance rates, please get in touch! You can compare life insurance quotes from NZ's leading insurers and apply online. Easy. Otherwise you can reach us through our online contact form or by giving us a call on 0800 800 400 to chat with our Wellington based team.
Disclaimer: Please note that the content provided in this article is intended as an overview and as general information only. While care is taken to ensure accuracy and reliability, the information provided is subject to continuous change and may not reflect current development or address your situation. Before making any decisions based on the information provided in this article, please use your discretion and seek independent guidance.
