People often worry that having a high BMI will automatically prevent them from taking out a life insurance policy. The reality is more reassuring. Insurers look at your health as a whole, so while a
higher BMI may affect the price you pay, it doesn’t automatically limit your chances of getting cover.
How does life insurance work with a high BMI?
Your BMI can have an impact on life insurance. Here’s what you need to know.
Last updated: 17/4/2026
In this guide:
Can I get life insurance with a high BMI?
Yes, Post Office doesn’t disqualify people with a higher-than-average BMI on that basis alone. Whether we can offer you a policy or not is down to a number of factors. Your BMI will be considered, and higher scores can make getting a policy more challenging, but the easiest way to find out is to get a quote online.
It’s important to note that if we can’t offer you a life insurance policy, other insurers might be able to help. Each provider will have their own eligibility requirements, so it’s worth looking around.
Explore life insurance with Post Office
Why does BMI matter for life insurance?
Insurers need to get an impression of your health to check that their policies are suitable for you. Your BMI is part of that as it acts as a basic health indicator. A higher BMI can sometimes increase the likelihood of certain medical conditions, but not always. The insurer will want to know if your BMI has led to related conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
Even if your BMI falls into the overweight or obese category, it doesn’t automatically define your
application.
How does BMI impact life insurance premiums?
A high BMI can mean that you’ll pay higher premiums for life insurance than you would with an average BMI.
Insurers calculate premiums based on how likely it is they will have to pay out on that policy. For example, if you’re a heavy smoker and frequent drinker, your premiums will be higher, as there is a scientific link between those lifestyle choices and premature death.
A high BMI is not necessarily an indication of poor health, but due to the health risks that a high BMI can bring, premiums are often higher.
What will the insurer ask me? Do I need to know my BMI?
Some insurers may ask directly for your BMI, and if they do, there are free online tools to help you calculate it. At Post Office, we just ask you to enter your height and weight. This is part of a wider set of questions we ask relating to your health.
If you’re curious, you can get a quote online. It only takes a matter of minutes.
How does the insurer know if I lie about my BMI?
Being open about your health is important. If a claim is made in the future, the insurer will check your medical records against the information provided on your application. If the information you provided wasn’t accurate, the claim will be rejected and the policy will be cancelled.
This represents the worst of all worlds. You’ll have made monthly payments over the course of your life, but your family won’t receive the financial security you wanted to leave behind.
If my BMI goes down, can I get cheaper premiums?
Potentially yes, although it’s not quite as black and white as a lower BMI resulting in lower premiums.
One of the most important factors in determining the price of your policy is your age. If your weight becomes a healthier level, but it’s been 10 years since you took out your life insurance policy, you might not necessarily be able to get cheaper premiums. This is due to the simple reason that risk of
death increases with age. While you’ve lowered your risk by having a healthier BMI, the change in your age may have offset it.
It depends on your overall health picture, but if you were to maintain healthy lifestyle choices and avoid illnesses, you may well be able to get cheaper premiums due to your BMI falling into the ‘healthy’ band. In this situation it’s best to speak to your insurer. They’ll be able to advise you on whether your premiums can be lowered.
What if I’m just looking to cover my funeral?
If you’re looking for a more modest payout, perhaps to cover a funeral, credit card debt or to leave a small gift for family, over 50s life insurance could be a good option for you. It has a maximum cover
limit of £10,000, depending on age.
Over 50s life insurance works a bit differently as it covers you for the rest of your life as opposed to a fixed term. Provided you keep paying your monthly premiums, your loved ones are guaranteed a payout when you die.
The second crucial difference from term cover is that over 50s life insurance with Post Office isn’t medically underwritten. This means your BMI is not considered when you take out a policy. In fact, it has guaranteed acceptance for anyone aged 50-80. As the name suggests, this type of insurance is only available for people over 50.
Why choose Post Office Life Insurance?
Post Office is trusted by over 140,000 UK customers for life insurance and won Best Over 50s Life Insurance provider at the 2026 YourMoney.com Awards. Here are a few key features.
- Term life cover available for UK residents aged 18-70
- Over 50s life insurance has guaranteed acceptance for UK residents aged 50-80
- 24/7 access to a UK-registered GP for you and your family throughout your policy2
- Children’s cover and critical illness cover available as optional add-ons for term life policies
- UK-based call centres
- 100% of your benefit given up front if you’re diagnosed as terminally ill with less than 12 months to live on all term policies
2Service separate from the policy contract. It may be withdrawn at any time.
Key takeaways
- Having a high BMI doesn’t stop you applying for a policy. Insurers look at your overall health, not one number
- Over 50s life insurance can be a good option for those in their later years looking to leave behind a smaller sum
- Lifestyle changes may help reduce premiums in the future
- Being honest in your application is essential
Common questions about life insurance and high BMI
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It depends on your full health profile. A high BMI may increase the cost, but other factors such as age, smoking, medical history and the type of policy you choose also influence your premium.
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It will depend on the insurer and what they consider to be ‘very high’. We can’t speak for the entire industry, but getting life insurance quotes is straightforward and this will tell you if a provider can cover you. You can usually do it online.
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Yes. It’s important to provide accurate information when applying. If details are missing or incorrect, a future claim may be affected.
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If your weight changes significantly and your overall health improves, you may be able to reduce the cost of your premiums. However, remember that your premium is not only impacted by your weight. Many other factors, including age, play a significant role. If you lose weight you can speak to your insurer and see what options are available to you.
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There isn’t a specific policy which is ‘best’ for people with a higher BMI. It depends on your situation. If you’re over 50 and your main concern is covering a funeral, over 50s life insurance is an option you might want to consider. We also have level, increasing and decreasing fixed cover options for term life insurance.
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