Obesity and Term Life Insurance

Roughly 127 million Americans are overweight, not counting the 69 million that are obese. And the location in which we live can influence our diet and lifestyle - and even how much we pay for life insurance. Understanding how carriers use different health ratios to determine policy rates is the beginning to realizing savings.

Term Life Insurance and Obesity - Why You Pay More for Extra Pounds

Obesity is a more serious problem than wondering how you look. According to WebMD.com, someone who is 40% overweight is twice as likely to die prematurely as an average-weight person. This is because obesity has been linked to several serious medical conditions, including heart disease and strokes.

When determining life insurance policy costs, carriers use a simple adage: "The more a person weighs, the more they pay." Specifically, the formula begins with an individual's proportion of body weight to his/her height, known also as "physical build." It's no secret that the more a person weighs in relation to their height, the greater their risk for long-term health complications and a shortened life span.

Good News for Being the Exception

Direct medical costs of obesity alone top $100 billion annually, and the price tag keeps skyrocketing. Just as adding some extra pounds will negatively affect your life insurance premiums, losing weight can help you lower your life insurance costs. Not only will losing a few inches off your waistline help you lead a healthier life, but it could help you save on life insurance. Make sure you notify your life insurance provider of any weight loss you have achieved, even a loss of a few pounds could lead to savings.

Drop the Obesity Label and Compare Life Insurance Rates to Save

If you do not see a reduction in your life insurance costs after notifying your life insurance company about your recent weight loss success, it's probably a good time to compare quotes. Many life insurance companies will offer the same coverage, but at drastically different prices. Therefore, taking a few minutes to compare free life insurance quotes at InsWeb.com could help you maximize your savings!

Fortunately, many people have the ability to win the battle over obesity by making simple dietary adjustments and lifestyle changes. However, others may require the direction of medical and nutritional experts for more serious health issues. Other than the obvious health benefits, dumping a few pounds could help you find a significantly lower term life insurance premium.