If you are classed as medically underweight or overweight or even if you think you are, then it may affect the outcome of a critical illness insurance application, life plan or even and income protection policy. Each and every insurance provider has their own limits as to what they class as being both overweight and underweight and this unfortunately can be variable dependant on the provider you choose. The decision about the weight ratio of an applicant is made upon the actual weight of the individual rather than just a guess. Generally they need to know the exact recent weight along with your height.
When applying for critical illness insurance it is a good idea to monitor your weight whilst you application is in process. This means that if you are currently loosing weight you can give an accurate disclosure at the time when you are applying. There are a few other aspects that can determine the price on the application you are applying for, these can be whether or not the applicant smokes or drinks excessively or not. These will be taken into consideration with your height and weight ratio. If you are classed as overweight by the insurance provider and you also smoke there may be an addition or price increase (rating) to go on top.
In some cases dependant upon the applicant’s weight and height the insurance provider can request an applicant to undergo a medical examination, various tests such as blood and urine, a telephone interview and possibly information from the applicant’s doctor. In some cases if the insurance provider classify the applicant as being underweight or grossly overweight then they can decline the application altogether. Typically the premium is increased for acceptable applicants that are not classed as too overweight or too underweight. This is done according to their height and weight ratio. This in insurance terms is called a rating or a loading on the policy premium and an insurance company can apply this increase as and when they feel necessary prior to a policy going on risk.
