The 10 Fittest Cities in the U.S.

It's no secret that health problems make it difficult to find affordable life insurance. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes high blood pressure will make insurance companies think twice before offering a policy. But one physical factor can trump them all: weight.

The American Obesity Association estimates that 127 million American adults are overweight, with 60 million classified as obese and 9 million severely obese. Excess weight brings a greater risk of early death, meaning insurance companies take more of a risk insuring you for term life insurance. Understanding the financial benefits of a healthy lifestyle could be the motivating factor to help you shed some pounds and save money on your term life insurance premium.

Healthy People Pay Less for Life Insurance

Most carriers follow one simple adage: "The more a person weighs, the more they pay." Even if you are just a few pounds overweight, you may be required to pay more for the same life insurance coverage. If you are obese, your application may be rejected outright.

As part of a generally healthy lifestyle, keeping yourself physically fit can help ensure you get the best price on life insurance. People with no major medical problems and healthy weight ranges are usually offered the lowest premiums at preferred rates. Shedding some pounds not only makes you look and feel better, but it can save you money!

Top 10 Fittest Cities in the U.S. (2010)

1. Washington, D.C.
2. Boston, MA
3. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
4. Seattle, WA
5. Portland, OR
6. Denver, CO
7. Sacramento, CA
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Hartford, CT
10. Austin, TX

American College of Sports Medicine, www.acsm.org

Living a Healthy Lifestyle

Keeping yourself healthy and trim is the best way to save on your life insurance premium. The first step to getting fit is balancing your weight with diet and exercise. Going to the gym, working out at home, playing sports and walking the dog are all activities that can help burn calories. A low-calorie, low-fat diet is another key element in achieving wellness.

Also, make regular visits to your doctor. A routine physical examination can help catch potentially harmful conditions before they become life-threatening. Your doctor can offer tips to manage your weight, such as a suitable diet and weight-loss program. Age, medical history, and lifestyle are all taken into consideration by insurance companies when determining your life insurance premium. But your weight is the one factor that can tip the scales out of your favor.

Don't let a few extra pounds keep you from finding an affordable life insurance quote. If you're looking for term life insurance, give InsWeb.com's online quote form a try. It's safe, secure, and only takes a few minutes!