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Recent data relating to the factors that can push up the cost of life insurance cover have shown that those that put on weight to what is classed as an unhealthy level can expect to see the cost of their premiums for life insurance cover rocket.
 Experts have already detailed how smoking can result in the cost of life insurance premiums rocketing, as smokers are more likely to suffer ill health or an untimely death, which means that there is a higher risk of a claim being made – a risk that the consumer has to pay for by way of increased insurance premiums.
Now experts have highlighted just how much extra consumers could end up paying on the cost of life insurance cover if their weight is what is classed as an unhealthy level. Obesity could mean a huge difference in some cases when it comes to life insurance premiums.
According to data from the Norwich Union, a man of thirty five years of age weighing twelve stone and looking for two hundred thousand pounds worth of life insurance cover would pay thirty percent more on his premiums if he was eighteen stones, and seventy five percent more if he was twenty stones.
The same applies to female applicants that are looking for life insurance cover, with those that are overweight paying more than those that are at a lower weight.
Again, this is because of the increased risk of health problems associated with obesity, which can lead to death in some cases. Studies have shown that smokers could save thousands on life insurance cover by quitting, and it seems that the same goes for those that are overweight.
One underwriter from Norwich Union stated: "Overweight people are extremely sensitive as to how they are perceived, leading to periods of anxiety and even depression. The cost of life insurance cover has to reflect these additional risks."
Tom Smith
21.03.07
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