When considering body type, many insurance agencies care only about one element: your body mass index (BMI). Using your height and weight, the agencies calculate your BMI and consult the BMI chart to determine whether you are classified as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese. Although a higher BMI can indicate a higher risk of Type 2 diabetes and other chronic medical conditions, BMI is far from a perfect model. BMI ignores several factors — muscle mass, bone density, and waist measurements — vital to providing an accurate, complete picture of someone’s health.
When seeking a life insurance policy, you should understand how different agencies measure your health and calculate the risk to insure. If your current insurance agency relies solely on BMI without understanding how often you exercise or your waist-to-hip ratio, you may be able to save money on your life insurance coverage. Consider alternatives and compare your options. Cutting down on your life insurance costs without compromising your coverage can help you ensure a secure financial future for your family.
Among those surveyed by Health IQ, only 30 percent of people knew the truth about BMI. The more you know, the better you will be to compare policies. Start by taking a quiz to determine how well you understand the relationship between body type and life insurance rates. Then delve into Health IQ’s in-depth FAQs to discover how this life insurance agency’s specific underwriting model — which takes into account your overall health consciousness and replaces BMI with waist-to-hip ratio — sets Health IQ apart from other life insurance agencies.
