Life insurance companies use height and weight tables to assess risk levels. These tables are linked to Body Mass Index (BMI) classifications, helping insurers categorize applicants into different health classes based on their height and weight.
Insurers often set height-weight ratios with upper limits. They measure height and weight to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI). Each insurer has a specific “build chart” that determines acceptable BMI for underwriting.
Life insurance companies use height and weight tables to determine your rate class and premium. These tables help assess the risk of issuing a policy to you. Here’s how your height and weight impact your insurance rates:
| Height (Feet-Inches) | Preferred Plus (lbs) | Preferred (lbs) | Standard Plus (lbs) | Standard (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4’10” | 135 | 148 | 156 | 181 |
| 5’0″ | 140 | 154 | 162 | 188 |
| 5’1″ | 144 | 158 | 166 | 194 |
| 5’2″ | 148 | 163 | 172 | 201 |
| 5’3″ | 153 | 168 | 175 | 207 |
| 5’4″ | 158 | 174 | 182 | 214 |
| 5’5″ | 163 | 179 | 188 | 221 |
| 5’6″ | 168 | 185 | 194 | 228 |
| 5’7″ | 174 | 191 | 200 | 235 |
| 5’8″ | 179 | 197 | 206 | 242 |
| 5’9″ | 185 | 203 | 212 | 249 |
| 5’10” | 190 | 209 | 219 | 257 |
| 5’11” | 196 | 215 | 226 | 264 |
| 6’0″ | 201 | 221 | 231 | 272 |
| 6’1″ | 207 | 228 | 240 | 280 |
| 6’2″ | 213 | 234 | 245 | 288 |
| 6’3″ | 219 | 241 | 253 | 295 |
| 6’4″ | 225 | 247 | 259 | 304 |
| 6’5″ | 230 | 253 | 265 | 312 |
| 6’6″ | 237 | 260 | 272 | 320 |
| 6’7″ | 243 | 267 | 280 | 328 |
| 6’8″ | 249 | 274 | 287 | 337 |
| 6’9″ | 256 | 281 | 294 | 345 |
| 6’10” | 262 | 288 | 302 | 354 |
| 6’11” | 268 | 295 | 309 | 363 |
| 7’0″ | 276 | 303 | 317 | 372 |
These tables are broad approximations of what one can expect however may differ from one insurance company to another. If you fall out of these ranges, you may still be eligible for cover but may be assessed differently which may alter your premium.
How Height and Weight Affect Life Insurance Premiums
Risk assessment: The underwriters classify all applicants within height and weight categories. In most cases, overweight and obese Applicants are likely to fall under high-risk categories attracting higher rates or in some cases may face outright rejection of cover.
Calculations of Body Mass Index: This process of assessment emphasizes on the Body Mass Index (BMI) significantly. BMI refers to the weight of a person as related to his/her height. An individual with a Body Mass Index of twenty-five and above is regarded to be overweight.
However, those who have a Body Mass Index of thirty and about are categorized as being obese. These groups tend to be linked with disease conditions such as cardiac diseases or diabetes which the health practitioners consider before stating when a patient will be insured and at what price.
Inconsistency from Company to Company: Every insurance company keeps in its system its own weight and height measurement charts so there is a possibility that one’s classification from that insurance provider would be different from the other. For instance, one firm may state that the maximum weight of a person standing 5’8 tall is 200 pounds while offering standing weights of 189 pounds for the same height.
Sample Height and Weight Guidelines
Here’s a general overview of how height and weight affect life insurance classifications:
| Height (ft-in) | Preferred Plus (lbs) | Preferred (lbs) | Standard Plus (lbs) | Standard (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5’0″ | 95 – 144 | 145 – 154 | 155 – 166 | 167 – 194 |
| 5’5″ | 111 – 169 | 170 – 181 | 182 – 194 | 195 – 228 |
| 6’0″ | 136 – 207 | 208 – 222 | 223 – 239 | 240 – 279 |
This table illustrates the maximum allowable weights for different classifications based on height.
Implications for Applicants
- Health Classifications: Based on the body mass index of the applicants, they are placed in various classes i.e. ‘Preferred Plus’, ‘Preferred’, and ‘Standard Plus’, and ‘Standard’.
- Premium Variability: The classification assigned can greatly influence the cost of premiums. For example, the classifications under Preferred Plus may attract low premiums as opposed to those under Standard.
- Shopping Around: Given that there are many competing companies with different guidelines, it is recommended that applicants seek several insurers to obtain the best price for their height and weight.
To conclude, comprehending the correlation between height weight and life insurance premium rates can equip an applicant with the necessary tools to maneuver through the underwriting process efficiently. Knowledge of one’s BMI along with its different insurance categories helps people choose the right life cover that suits them best.
FAQs
Height-weight charts from life insurance companies assess weight’s impact on health risks. Designs vary; some are lenient, while others are stricter. These charts influence policy premiums and coverage eligibility.
Life insurance premiums are influenced by age, sex, smoking, health conditions, habits, job, and family health history. These factors help assess overall risk.
Insurers often use different height and weight tables for men and women, with higher weight limits for men due to more muscle mass.
BMI (Body Mass Index) helps insurers manage weight-related risks. Higher age may mean higher BMI and could lead to higher premiums or coverage limits.
Obesity or being overweight usually increases insurance costs or limits coverage. However, coverage is still available if other health factors are favorable.
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