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Life Insurance · UK Guide 2026

Life insurance for a high BMI

A plain-English guide for people with a high BMI (body mass index) who want life insurance in the UK in 2026: whether you can get cover, how underwriting works, what your BMI, any related conditions and weight history mean for your premium, and why honest disclosure matters.

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Quick answer

Can you get life insurance with a high BMI?

  • Usually, yes: a high BMI is one of the most common reasons for a premium loading, but most mainstream insurers will still offer cover, commonly up to a BMI in the mid-40s, with specialist insurers considering higher figures.
  • It is underwritten on your BMI band: insurers look at your height, weight and the resulting BMI, and the higher the figure the larger the likely loading.
  • Related conditions matter most: a high BMI alongside type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea is assessed as a combination of risks, which weighs more heavily than weight alone.
  • Premiums may be loaded, not refused: a moderately raised BMI with no complications often attracts a manageable loading rather than a decline.
BMI bands

How BMI affects life insurance underwriting

BMI band (approx.)Common descriptionLikely effect on terms
18.5 – 24.9Healthy weight rangeStandard terms on weight grounds
25 – 29.9OverweightOften standard terms, or only a small loading
30 – 34.9Obese (class I)Standard to a modest loading, depending on the insurer and any related conditions
35 – 39.9Obese (class II)A loading is more likely; terms vary noticeably between insurers
40 – 45+Obese (class III)Larger loadings; many mainstream insurers cover up to around the mid-40s, with specialist insurers considering higher figures

Indicative only — BMI bands follow the general NHS categories, but how each insurer treats them varies and depends on your full medical history. BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared. Not a quote.

How it works

BMI, related conditions and weight history

When you apply, an insurer will ask for your height and weight to calculate your BMI, and then ask about your wider health. The BMI figure itself sets the starting point, but the key question is whether your weight is linked to other conditions. A high BMI alongside type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea is assessed as a combination of risks, and any loadings are generally calculated on that combined picture rather than on weight in isolation. Two people with the same BMI can therefore be offered very different terms depending on their other health factors and which insurer they approach.

Insurers also differ widely in their maximum BMI, so comparing more than one is especially worthwhile if your figure is high. Because a raised BMI so often appears alongside other conditions, it is worth reading our guides to life insurance for diabetics, life insurance with high blood pressure and life insurance for sleep apnoea, as well as the broader guide to pre-existing conditions. If your weight has changed recently, perhaps through lifestyle changes or weight-loss medication, insurers vary in how they treat that — some assess your BMI on the day, while others may take an improving trend into account. Browse the full life insurance hub for related guides.

Cost

What cover costs with a high BMI in general terms

There is no single price. As with any life insurance, your premium is built from your age, the cover amount, the term and your health. For a high BMI, the main driver is the band your figure falls into and whether it comes with related conditions: an overweight or class I figure with no complications keeps premiums closest to standard rates, while higher BMI bands, or weight combined with conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, add a loading — an increase expressed as a percentage of the standard premium. Term cover is generally far cheaper than whole-of-life. Because maximum BMI limits and loadings vary so much between insurers, getting more than one quote is especially worthwhile if your BMI is high. For how premiums rise with age more generally, see our guide to the cost of life insurance by age.

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Disclosure

Why honest disclosure matters

It is essential to give your height, weight and health details fully and accurately. If you understate your weight or leave out a related condition, the insurer may reduce or refuse a claim later, which defeats the purpose of having cover. Disclosing a high BMI does not usually mean you cannot get insured — in most cases it simply lets the insurer offer terms that genuinely hold up at claim time. If you are unsure which insurer is most likely to accept your BMI, a specialist broker can help you apply to the most suitable one. Explore the life insurance hub for guides by age, health and cover type, and see income protection for how time off work through ill health is covered separately.

Common questions

Life insurance for a high BMI: FAQs

In most cases, yes. A high BMI is one of the most common reasons for a premium loading, but most mainstream insurers will still offer cover, commonly up to a BMI in the mid-40s, and specialist insurers consider higher figures. The terms depend on your BMI band and any related conditions, and some insurers take a more favourable view than others, so comparing quotes is worthwhile.
BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared. The insurer asks for your height and weight on the application and calculates the figure. The general NHS bands are healthy (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25 to 29.9) and obese (30 and above), and most insurers use a similar scale as a starting point.
Often, yes. A moderately raised BMI with no complications may attract standard terms or only a small loading, while higher BMI bands, or weight combined with related conditions, can lead to a larger loading on the premium. The exact effect varies between insurers and depends on your individual medical history, which is why comparing quotes matters.
Each insurer sets its own maximum. Many mainstream insurers will consider applicants up to a BMI in the mid-40s, while some specialist insurers go higher. If your BMI is above one insurer's limit, another may still offer cover, so it is worth comparing more than one rather than assuming you cannot be insured.
Yes. A high BMI alongside conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea is assessed as a combination of risks, which usually weighs more heavily than weight alone. The absence of related conditions points toward better terms, while several risk factors together can increase the loading.
Insurers vary. Some assess your BMI as it is on the day you apply, regardless of any medication or recent changes, while others may take an improving trend into account. You should never misstate your current weight, and you should never stop or change prescribed medication to affect an application. If your weight is changing, a broker can help you find an insurer whose approach suits your situation.
Yes. You must give your height, weight and health details fully and accurately. Understating your weight or leaving out a related condition is non-disclosure, which can lead to a claim being reduced or refused. Honest disclosure lets the insurer offer terms that will actually pay out when needed.
It can help. Some insurers and brokers specialise in cover for people with a high BMI and can often arrange cover, or better terms, where a general insurer might decline or load heavily. Because maximum BMI limits and loadings differ so much, comparing options is the practical way to find the most suitable terms.

Information only — not medical or financial advice. My Insurance Expert is not an FCA-authorised intermediary and does not arrange or sell policies. Specialist insurers and brokers cater for people with a high BMI. Last updated: 2026-06-26

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