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Life Insurance Height & Weight Chart: Effects on Coverage and Premiums

Key Takeaway

  • BMI and Risk:
  • Insurers use BMI to assess health risks, influencing premiums.
  • Weight Distribution:
  • Abdominal weight can indicate higher health risks.
  • Premium Variations:
  • Weight management can lead to lower premiums.
  • Healthy Lifestyle:
  • Adopting healthier habits may improve your insurance rates.
  • Medical Exam Prep:
  • Proper preparation for a life insurance medical exam can positively impact your results and premiums.
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Height & Weight Chart Sign

Introduction to Life Insurance and Body Metrics


Securing life insurance can be an important consideration in financial planning for many, and health is a major factor in the underwriting process – which includes a close look at your height and weight. This comprehensive guide provides a walkthrough of a life insurance height & weight chart, providing insight into how insurers evaluate risk and may encourage individuals to consider healthier living. By knowing where you stand, you may gain insights that could help you during your life insurance search.

Understanding the Height & Weight Chart in Life Insurance



The Role of BMI in Life Insurance Assessments


Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool used by insurers to evaluate health risks. Calculated from your height and weight, BMI provides a numerical value that categorizes policyholders into different risk classes.

For life insurers, the "normal" BMI range is associated with the lowest risk, while higher BMIs may suggest elevated health risks that could affect premium costs. It's essential to recognize that BMI is not the only factor considered. Insurers also scrutinize how weight is distributed across the body since certain patterns, like abdominal weight, can be indicative of higher health risks.

How Insurers Use Height & Weight to Determine Risk


Insurers analyze BMI and weight distribution to predict potential health issues that could impact life expectancy and risk. An understanding of the underwriting process, including the use of height and weight charts, is beneficial for consumers. It's a transparent indicator of how an insurer perceives risk and determines premium prices. The distribution of weight, particularly around the abdomen, is often a focal point due to its association with heart disease and other conditions that could increase an insurer's liability.

Height (Feet,  Inches)

4"10"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

89 – 134

Preferred (Min - Max)

135 – 144

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

145 – 155

Standard (Min - Max)

182 – 196

Height (Feet,  Inches)

4'11"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

92 – 139

Preferred (Min - Max)

140 – 149

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

150 – 160

Standard (Min - Max)

161 – 188

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

95 – 144

Preferred (Min - Max)

145 – 154

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

155 – 166

Standard (Min - Max)

167 – 194

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'1"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

98 – 149

Preferred (Min - Max)

150 – 159

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

160 – 171

Standard (Min - Max)

172 – 201

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'2"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

101 – 153

Preferred (Min - Max)

154 – 164

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

165 – 177

Standard (Min - Max)

178 – 207

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'3"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

104 – 158

Preferred (Min - Max)

159 – 170

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

171 – 183

Standard (Min - Max)

184 – 214

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'4"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

108 – 164

Preferred (Min - Max)

165 – 175

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

176 – 188

Standard (Min - Max)

189 – 221

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'5"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

111 – 169

Preferred (Min - Max)

170 – 181

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

182 – 194

Standard (Min - Max)

195 – 228

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'6"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

115 – 174

Preferred (Min - Max)

175 – 186

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

187 – 200

Standard (Min - Max)

201 – 235

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'7"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

118 – 179

Preferred (Min - Max)

180 – 192

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

193 – 207

Standard (Min - Max)

208 – 242

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'8"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

122 – 185

Preferred (Min - Max)

186 – 198

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

199 – 213

Standard (Min - Max)

214 – 249

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'9"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

125 – 190

Preferred (Min - Max)

191 – 204

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

205 – 219

Standard (Min - Max)

220 – 257

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'10"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

129 – 196

Preferred (Min - Max)

197 – 210

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

211 – 225

Standard (Min - Max)

226 – 264

Height (Feet,  Inches)

5'11"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

133 – 201

Preferred (Min - Max)

202 – 216

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

217 – 232

Standard (Min - Max)

233 – 272

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

136 – 207

Preferred (Min - Max)

208 – 222

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

223 – 239

Standard (Min - Max)

240 – 279

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'1"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

140 – 213

Preferred (Min - Max)

214 – 228

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

229 – 245

Standard (Min - Max)

246 – 287

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'2"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

144 – 219

Preferred (Min - Max)

220 – 234

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

235 – 252

Standard (Min - Max)

253 – 295

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'3"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

148 – 225

Preferred (Min - Max)

226 – 241

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

242 – 259

Standard (Min - Max)

260 – 303

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'4"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

152 – 231

Preferred (Min - Max)

232 – 247

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

248 – 266

Standard (Min - Max)

267 – 311

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'5"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

156 – 237

Preferred (Min - Max)

238 – 254

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

255 – 273

Standard (Min - Max)

274 – 320

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'6"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

160 – 243

Preferred (Min - Max)

244 – 260

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

261 – 280

Standard (Min - Max)

281 – 328

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'7"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

164 – 249

Preferred (Min - Max)

250 – 267

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

268 – 287

Standard (Min - Max)

288 – 336

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'8"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

168 – 256

Preferred (Min - Max)

257 – 274

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

275 – 295

Standard (Min - Max)

296 – 345

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'9"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

173 – 262

Preferred (Min - Max)

263 – 281

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

282 – 302

Standard (Min - Max)

303 – 354

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'10"

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

177 – 268

Preferred (Min - Max)

269 – 288

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

289 – 309

Standard (Min - Max)

310 – 363

Height (Feet,  Inches)

6'11

Preferred Best (Min - Max)

181 – 275

Preferred (Min - Max)

276 – 295

Standard Plus (Min - Max)

296 – 317

Standard (Min - Max)

318 – 371

This is normally a comparative table on desktop, but is in a custom view on mobile.

*This chart is an estimation and is for educational purposes only. This does not guarantee eligibility for life insurance. Eligibility criteria, including height and weight limits, may vary by insurance provider. The above chart is only an example of a possible chart that might be used. Underwriting decisions are based on a comprehensive evaluation of multiple factors including, but not limited to, medical history, lifestyle, and the height and weight measurements provided. Please consult with a licensed insurance agent to discuss your specific circumstances and options.

Impact of Height and Weight on Life Insurance Premiums


Deciphering the Height & Weight Chart


Height and weight charts in life insurance policies use a matrix to correlate body metrics with risk categories ranging from preferred plus to standard and below. To understand your standing, find your height, track to your weight, and identify your risk category in the hypothetical chart above. This category impacts your premium directly: the lower your risk, the less costly your insurance. It's important to note that premiums may also be influenced by other health conditions and lifestyle factors, not just height and weight.

Examples of Premium Variations by Height and Weight


For example, consider an individual who is 5'9" tall. At 160 pounds, they may qualify for the preferred best category and enjoy lower premiums. At 220 pounds, the same individual might be categorized as standard, resulting in higher costs.

These scenarios underscore the importance of weight management in life insurance cost and highlight that different insurers may assess the same individual uniquely, due to proprietary calculations and charts.

 Lifestyle Changes for Better Rates


If your spot on the chart suggests high premiums, adopting a healthier lifestyle may potentially lead to lower rates. Regular exercise and a balanced diet contribute to better health and can be positively reflected in policy reassessments. Some insurers offer incentives or lower rates for policyholders who demonstrate health improvements, making lifestyle changes that may potentially result in better insurance rates.

Preparing for the Life Insurance Medical Exam


Some life insurance products require a comprehensive medical exam to assess the applicant’s health and risk factors, while others may only require the completion of a medical health questionnaire.

The type of underwriting process used can vary depending on the insurance provider and the specific policy being applied for. If you plan to take a medical exam, it's wise to be well-hydrated, abstain from alcohol, and be well-rested. Scheduling the exam for the morning, avoiding heavy meals, reducing salt to limit water retention, and maintaining a calm demeanor can also influence the metrics like weight and blood pressure readings, which in turn may affect premium calculations.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance and Body Metrics


How does weight loss or gain affect my life insurance premium? 


Weight fluctuations can directly impact your insurance premiums. Significant weight loss may lower your BMI, potentially moving you into a lower-risk category and decreasing your premiums. Conversely, weight gain may have the opposite effect.

Can I get life insurance if I'm considered overweight or underweight? 


Yes, you can still obtain life insurance if you fall outside the "normal" weight range. However, your premiums may be higher, and you may have fewer options to choose from. Each insurer has its own criteria and may offer special underwriting for unique cases.

How accurate is the BMI in determining life insurance costs? 


While BMI is a widely used metric, it is not the only factor insurers consider. It's a starting point for assessing risk, but insurers also look at medical history, family history, and lifestyle choices. BMI can sometimes misrepresent body composition, so insurers may use additional assessments for a more comprehensive evaluation.

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This article was generated with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). AI-generated content may occasionally contain errors or misleading information.

The information above is for educational use only and does not represent insurance, tax or legal advice. It is not a recommendation or solicitation to buy insurance. Please talk to your licensed insurance agent for more information about life insurance and your needs. Please consult with the appropriate professional for tax or legal advice. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

Article Author: Meredith Bell
Author Bio: Meredith joined Everly in 2022 and has 20+ years of experience in the life insurance industry. She has held various roles in advertising, marketing, communications, sales and distribution support, and product development. Outside of the office, Meredith lives with her daughter Kennedy and their dog Mavis. Meredith enjoys cooking, camping, gardening, hiking, and bourbon (though not always at the same time). She is a live music enthusiast and an avid reader. Her favorite quote is by Thomas Jefferson: "I cannot live without books." Meredith agrees, but would add cheese, movies, and dogs to that list.