Can I still get life insurance if I’m overweight?

Being overweight can increase the cost of life insurance, but you can still get cover.

Best Health Insurance Australia

You can get life insurance if you're overweight, though you may have to pay a little more for cover. However, if you can prove that you're healthy, you might not have to pay extra. A lot of it depends on your BMI and health records.

Can I get life insurance if I'm overweight or obese?

Yes. If you're considered overweight or obese, you can still get life insurance. However, it might cost you a little more. This is because the more overweight you are, the more likely it is that you'll encounter health problems like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers that can lead to premature death. Life insurers simply ask that you pay more so that they can cover themselves for the added risk of insuring you.

How will my insurer assess my weight?

Insurers will ordinarily ask for your body mass index (BMI). This is an international classification used to work out the health implications of a person's weight compared to their height. You can figure yours out by dividing your weight (in kilograms) by your height (in metres squared). BMI classifications are as follows:

  • Underweight: < 18.5
  • Healthy weight range: 18.5 – 25
  • Overweight: 25 – 30
  • Obese: >30

How does BMI impact life insurance?

Most insurers have BMI calculation loadings based upon their "build charts", which can vary from insurer to insurer. When calculating your premiums, the underwriter will take into account numerous factors, including your BMI and their "build charts", to calculate your loading charge. Keep in mind that this is not their only consideration. Other important factors include your general health, job, age and the life insurance amount you've applied for.

Generally speaking, the cheaper premiums go to healthy people who are within the healthy BMI weight range. If you're officially classed as overweight but are in fine health, there's a good chance that you've got nothing to worry about. In most cases, there's only a noticeable increase in your premiums if you're classed as obese.

How will my insurer know how much I weigh?

You'll need to fill out your weight and height when you apply for life insurance. If your insurer also requires you to take a medical exam, then they'll be able to find out then as well. Insurers can also request access to your medical records during the underwriting process.

If you lie or don't tell them about your weight, it's the same as not telling them about a pre-existing medical condition, and any claim your family makes once you pass away could be denied.

Can life insurers deny coverage based on weight?

Yes, but it's very rare. Every insurer is a little different, but generally, you would need to be severely obese (this is when your BMI is over 35) and have other health issues before you're likely to be denied. So for instance, a 175cm male would have to weigh 108kg before they were considered severely obese.

If you are denied because of your weight, you're not out of options since there are other ways you may be able to get life insurance:

User
Life insurance through super. When you start a new job and sign up to super, you automatically get life insurance. While it won't provide as comprehensive coverage, it doesn't require any medical exams.
Fracture
Group life insurance.. This is when your employer offers life insurance as part of your employment package. It doesn't require a medical exam. Cover isn't usually as large as a policy tailored to you, but it's better than nothing.

Life insurance weight limits

Life insurance weight limits can be broken down into the following.

HeightWeight RangeBMIWeight Class
175cm (′5 9″)56kg or lessBelow 18.5Underweight
56kg to 72kg18.5 to 25Healthy weight
72kg to 91kg25.0 to 30Overweight
92kg or more30 or higherObese
108kg or more35 or higherSeverely Obese

Bottom line

Being overweight may make your life insurance a little more expensive, but it could still be worth having. What's more, if you can lose weight and lower your BMI for a prolonged period of time, you may be able to get your premiums lowered.

Compare Life Insurance in Australia

1 - 6 of 12
Name Finder Score Maximum Cover Funeral Benefit Optional TPD Cover Optional Trauma Cover
Medibank Life Insurance image
Finder Award
Best Rated Brand
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$2.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$15,000
Optional TPD Cover
$1.5 million
(maximum cover)
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: Medibank offers a higher payout limit ($2.5 million) than 15 other providers. It also won Most Loved, Best Value and Legendary Service categories in the Finder 2024 customer

⭐ Current offer: Save 10% on your first year of Medibank Life Insurance when you apply by 3 March 2025. T&Cs apply.
AAMI Life Insurance image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: There’s flexibility with AAMI as you can add another adult to your cover, with a competitive limit of $1.5 million. Easy application process with no medical exams.

⭐ Current offer: Take out an AAMI Life Insurance policy and get a $100 eGift card after 4 months of cover. Offer ends 03/03/2025. T&Cs apply.
Suncorp Life Insurance image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: Competitive maximum cover limit of $1.5 million. Suncorp lets you change your cover amount by up to $100,000 after a big life event, such as having a baby.

⭐ Current offer: Take out a Suncorp Life Insurance policy and get a $100 eGift card after 4 months of cover. Offer ends 03/03/2025. T&Cs apply.
Real Family Life Cover image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1 million
Funeral Benefit
$10,000
Optional TPD Cover
$1 million
(maximum cover)
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: The application is simple; it can be done with 1 phone call and there are no medical exams. But households with larger debts may need more than a $1 million payout.

⭐ Current offer: Get back 10% of the premiums you’ve paid after 1 year.
Zurich Ezicover Life Insurance image
Finder score
Maximum Cover
$1.5 million
Funeral Benefit
$15,000
Optional TPD Cover
Optional Trauma Cover
Get QuoteView details
Our verdict: Good if you want a cheap policy from a well-regarded insurer – its 98% claims acceptance rate is higher than any other provider on Finder. Zurich keeps things simple: unlike others, it doesn’t go in for optional add-ons such as TPD or trauma cover.

⭐ Current offer: Policy discounts include 10% off for your partner if you sign up for a joint policy. You can also get 5% off income protection if you buy it alongside your life cover.
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Finder Score - Life Insurance

Life Insurance is a little complicated and a lot overwhelming. That's why we made the Finder Score, to make it easier to compare Life Insurance products against each other. Our experts analysed over 30 products and gave each one a score between 1 and 10.

But a higher score doesn't always mean a product is better for you. Your situation is unique, so your policy choice will be too. Don't think of Finder Score as the final word, but as a good place to start your life insurance comparison.

Read full Finder Score methodology

Why compare life insurance with Finder?

  • You pay the same price as buying directly from the life insurer.

  • We're not owned by an insurer (unlike other comparison sites).

  • We've done 100+ hours of policy research to help you understand what you're comparing.

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Gary Ross Hunter's headshot
Editor, Insurance

Gary Ross Hunter was an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian and news.com.au. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 2 General Advice General Insurance certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146). See full bio

Gary Ross's expertise
Gary Ross has written 644 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Health, home, life, car, pet and travel insurance
  • Managing the cost of living

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