2024 Burial Insurance for Overweight and Obese People
last updated on July 22, 2024Burial insurance for overweight and obese people is possible to get. However, most final expense life companies do have “build charts” that identify what height and weights for applicants will accept.
Some insurance companies will offer excellent rates for overweight and obese people. When it comes to being on the heavier side, knowing which companies don’t ask about height and weight will allow you to get approved for the best plan.
This article will explore how you can qualify for burial insurance if you’re overweight or obese. We will show you what options are available for you.
FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:
- What Is My Best Insurance Option If I’m Overweight or Obese?
- Life Insurance and Build Charts
- What Types of Burial Insurance Should I Avoid?
- What Type of Burial Insurance Is Best?
- If I’m Overweight or Obese, Do I Need a Medical Exam to Qualify for Burial Insurance?
- Burial Insurance Underwriting If You are Overweight or Obese
- How Much Insurance Do I Need If I’m Overweight or Obese?
- How Should I Pay My Premiums?
- Overweight or Obese and Burial Insurance Riders
- Never Put Off Buying Burial Insurance Until You Reach Your Ideal Weight
- Benefits of Burial & Funeral Insurance
- Other Common Uses for Final Expense Life Insurance for Overweight or Obese
- How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
- Additional Questions & Answers On Burial Insurance For Overweight And Obese
What Is My Best Insurance Option If I’m Overweight Or Obese?
People who are overweight or obese can qualify for level death benefit coverage. Being overweight is often not a life-threatening situation. If you answer no to all the questions on the health questionnaire, most funeral insurance companies will approve your application regardless of your weight.
You will have first-day coverage with a level death benefit plan, and your life insurance payout will be the same for the life of the policy.
Your insurance premium will never increase, even with advancing age or worsening health conditions. When you pass away, your beneficiaries will receive your 100% death benefit payout.
If you’re overweight but generally healthy and have no issues with mobility or activities of daily living, you can be eligible for level death benefit with a first-day coverage plan. This plan also has the lowest premium.
Best Option: Level death benefit plan with first-day coverage
ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING OR MORBIDLY OBESE
One factor that may affect your burial insurance eligibility is if you’re morbidly obese and have mobility issues. If you’re too heavy and you need help in doing any activities of daily living on your own, you may not qualify for the best plan with the best rate, but you still have other options.
There are six activities of daily living or self-care used by insurance companies to measure your mobility and functionality to determine if you will qualify for first-day coverage.
- Eating – feeding yourself using utensils, feeding tube, or intravenously
- Bathing – washing your body and getting in or out of the bathtub or shower safely
- Dressing – means putting on and taking off clothing, fasteners, braces, and prosthesis
- Toileting – is getting on and off the toilet and performing necessary personal hygiene
- Transferring – moving in and out of bed, chair, or wheelchair
- Continence – controlling the bladder and bowel functions
If you are obese and you need help with these activities of daily living, you will not qualify for first-day coverage even if the company does not have a build chart.
The best burial insurance option for overweight or obese people is to take a guaranteed issue, no health questions life insurance policy.
If you’re a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, you can enter into a legal contract, and your application for coverage will be approved. You will get immediate coverage for accidental death.
Guaranteed issue whole life insurance has a two-year graded benefit for a natural or disease-related cause of death.
If you die during the waiting period or the first two years, your beneficiary will receive all premiums paid plus 10% interest. After the two-year waiting period, you are fully covered for any cause of death.
Best Option: Guaranteed issue burial insurance
OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS DUE TO OBESITY
Overweight and obese individuals are not automatically disqualified from getting affordable burial insurance coverage based on their weight but may be disqualified for a first-day coverage plan because of other medical issues related to their weight.
If you suffer from medical conditions like diabetic amputation, heart disease, or stroke due to your weight, you can qualify for guaranteed issue burial insurance.
A guaranteed life insurance plan will not ask about height and weight, nor will it ask for any health questions on the application.
Many insurance companies offer guaranteed issue burial insurance for overweight and obese people with severe medical issues. The only difference is the amount they charge. We will point you to the right insurer if you need to take this route.
Best Option: Guaranteed issue burial insurance
Life Insurance And Build Charts
A build chart is a table that serves as a guideline in the minimum and maximum weight per height that insurance companies will accept.
Any insurance company with a build chart has a question on their application form where you need to provide your height and weight.
Every life insurance provider has its build chart; some life insurance companies have more lenient build charts than others. And, companies don’t even have build charts at all.
Being 20-40 pounds overweight will not prevent you from qualifying for the best rate class. In fact, most companies even provide additional weight allowances for men and women applying for coverage after age 60.
If you are significantly overweight, you must apply to a company that does not ask about your height and weight. If being overweight is your only issue, you can still qualify for the best rates, even if you are morbidly obese.
Every insurance company has its own build chart requirements, so it’s important to work with an independent life insurance agency that knows which companies do not have a build chart and will offer you the lowest rate even if you are overweight or obese.
What Types Of Burial Insurance Should I Avoid?
| PLANS TO AVOID | WHY? |
|---|---|
| Term life | Premiums increase after 5 years. Coverage ends after 80. |
| Pre-paid funeral plans | Expensive |
| Universal life | Tied with stocks |
| No health questions policies | With 2-year waiting period |
| Plans offering "teaser rates" | $9.95 per unit plans or $1 buys $100,000 coverage |
| Over priced plans | Insurance from TV and junk mail |
| Plans that accept mail-in payments | Risky |
| Plans that accept Direct Express | High lapse rate |
| Plans that accept Credit Cards | High lapse rate |
What Type Of Burial Insurance Is Best?
| FUNERAL FUNDS PLAN BENEFITS | INCLUDED |
|---|---|
| 1st Day Coverage | YES |
| Rates NEVER Increase | YES |
| Coverage NEVER Decreases | YES |
| Easy to get approved | YES |
| No Medical Exam | YES |
| Same Day Approval | YES |
| Death Claims Pay Fast | YES |
| Builds cash value | YES |
| Coverage Up To Age 121 | YES |
If I’m Overweight Or Obese, Do I Need A Medical Exam To Qualify For Burial Insurance?
You are NOT required to take a medical exam to qualify for burial insurance for overweight or obese.
When you apply for burial insurance, you only have to answer some basic questions about your health. The application process is simple; you don’t need to provide medical records or blood and urine samples.
You’ll get the official approval from the insurance company often within minutes!
Burial Insurance Underwriting If You Are Overweight Or Obese
The purpose of underwriting in life insurance is to determine your level of risk.
Burial insurance companies have two ways of underwriting:
FIRST – They may ask you a series of health questions. Your answers to their questions will determine your eligibility.
SECOND – They will electronically review your prescription history to verify your health.
Underwriting for burial insurance is different from traditional life insurance.
With traditional term life or permanent life insurance, the company wants to know your weight because your weight can indicate your overall health. With burial insurance for overweight and obese people, the underwriting is different.
Some companies will ask about your height and weight, and some insurance companies don’t even ask if you are overweight or morbidly obese.
OBESITY AND ITS EFFECT ON LIFE INSURANCE
Life insurance companies care about obesity because obesity is associated with health complications and can predispose you to many ailments and diseases.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being overweight increases your mortality risk for:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
If you have any past or current health problems due to obesity, the life insurance companies will want to know about it before approving your application.
How Much Insurance Do I Need If I’m Overweight Or Obese?
The amount of burial insurance you should buy varies depending on your personal and financial circumstances. However, burial insurance should cover the cost of your funeral, burial, and final expenses.
The first step to figuring out how much burial insurance you need is to know your end-of-life expenses. Your funeral cost is often the biggest single expense you need to pay. Other end-of-life expenses to consider are your outstanding medical bills, living expenses, credit card bills, and other debts.
Here’s an example of a funeral cost breakdown from the National Funeral Directors Association.
| AVERAGE FUNERAL COST WITH VIEWING AND BURIAL | |
|---|---|
| Non-declinable basic services | $2,300 |
| Removal/ transfer of remains to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming & preparation of the body | $1,050 |
| Use of facilities for viewing & funeral ceremony | $965 |
| Hearse | $325 |
| Service car/van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $183 |
| Metal casket | $2,500 |
| Vault | $1,572 |
| Median Cost of a Funeral With Viewing and Burial | $9,420 |
| AVERAGE FUNERAL COST WITH VIEWING AND CREMATION | |
|---|---|
| Non-declinable basic services fee | $2,300 |
| Removal/ transfer of remains to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming & preparation of the body | $1,050 |
| Use of facilities for viewing & funeral ceremony | $965 |
| Service car/van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $183 |
| Cremation fee (if firm uses a third-party crematory) | $368 |
| Cremation Casket | $1,310 |
| Urn | $295 |
| Median Cost of a Funeral with Viewing and Cremation | $6,970 |
| Rental Casket | $995 |
| Alternate Cremation Container | $150 |
How Should I Pay My Premiums?
The best way to pay your premium is through a savings or checking account. We recommend you set a bank draft from your savings or checking account. That way, the bank will automatically pay your premium each month, and you don’t need to worry about your policy lapsing due to non-payment.
Overweight Or Obese And Burial Insurance Riders
Insurance policy riders add benefits to your policy. Adding insurance riders will enhance your policy to fit your needs. Some riders are built into your policy, while other riders can be added at an additional cost. Most riders are affordable, and it involves little to no underwriting.
Here’s a list of common burial insurance riders:
| FUNERAL FUNDS ADD-ONS | AVAILABILITY |
|---|---|
| Terminal Illness Add-On Benefit | Included with most plans |
| Nursing Home Care Add-On Benefit | Included with most plans |
Never Put Off Buying Burial Insurance Until You Reach Your Ideal Weight
Many people postpone buying life insurance because they plan on losing weight to get better rates. However, they haven’t lost weight after many weeks and months and remain uninsured.
One of the worst decisions you can make is putting off buying life insurance while waiting to lose weight to get a better premium.
Waiting around without life insurance is unwise because we never know what will happen tomorrow. If you put off buying insurance until you reach your ideal weight and you pass away, your family would be left with nothing.
If you need life insurance you are not sure that you will lose weight, buy life insurance now, and pay a higher premium if necessary. You can apply again to get better premiums upon reaching your ideal weight. Or, the best thing you can do is to apply for a company that does not even ask about your weight.
Work with an independent agency like Funeral Funds that can point you to the life insurance companies that do not use a build chart. These companies will not ask about your weight because they don’t care if you are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese.
Don’t take the risk of living without insurance because of your weight. We can help you qualify for first-day coverage with the best rates.
Benefits Of Burial & Funeral Insurance
Here are some of the benefits of purchasing a burial or funeral policy:
- No medical exam or doctor’s visit is required – easy to get approved.
- Ease of issue – easy to qualify and get insurance coverage.
- No Money Down to get approved – have your policy start whenever you want.
- Level premium – your premium will never increase.
- Fixed death benefit – your death benefit will never decrease for any reason.
- Permanent protection – your policy can not be canceled by the life insurance company if you continue to pay your premiums.
- Tax-free – the death benefit is directly paid to your beneficiary tax-free upon your death.
- Cash value builds up – burial insurance is a whole life policy that builds cash value over time.
Other Common Uses For Final Expense Life Insurance For Overweight Or Obese
All of these examples are appropriate uses for Final Expense Life Insurance:
- Burial insurance plan for overweight or obese people
- Cremation insurance plan for overweight or obese people
- Funeral home insurance plan for overweight or obese people
- Final Expense insurance plan for overweight or obese people
- Prepaid funeral plan insurance for overweight or obese people
- Mortgage payment protection plan for overweight or obese people
- Mortgage payoff life insurance plan for overweight or obese people
- Deceased spouse’s income replacement plan for overweight or obese people
- Legacy insurance gift plan to family or loved ones for overweight or obese people
- Medical or doctor bill life insurance plan for overweight or obese people
We can help you with any of the plans above. Your pricing will depend on your age, health, and coverage amount for each program option.
How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
Finding a policy if you are overweight or obese needn’t be frustrating; working with an independent agency like Funeral Funds will make the process easier and quicker.
We will work with you every step to find the plan that fits your financial requirements and budget. You don’t have to waste your precious time searching for multiple insurance companies anymore because we will do the dirty work for you.
We work with many A+ rated insurance carriers that specialize in covering high-risk clients like you. We will search all those companies and match you up with the best burial insurance company that gives the best rate.
We will assist you in securing the coverage you need at a rate you can afford. So, if you are looking for overweight funeral insurance, overweight burial insurance, or overweight life insurance, fill out our quote form to get an accurate quote.
Additional Questions & Answers On Burial Insurance For Overweight And Obese
Can obese people get insurance?
Yes, overweight and obese people can get insurance. Some insurance companies don’t even ask about your weight.
Can overweight people get insurance?
Yes, overweight people can get insurance. Some insurance companies don’t even ask about your weight.
Does life insurance ask for weight?
Yes, some life insurance policies do ask for your weight. However, many policies do not ask about your weight.
Is there life insurance for obese adults?
There is no specific life insurance policy for obese adults. However, many life insurance policies do not ask about your weight.
What does BMI mean?
BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is a measure of your weight relative to your height.
Why do insurance companies use BMI?
Insurance companies use BMI because it is a measure of your health. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have health problems. This means they are more likely to make claims on their insurance policy.
Can I get final expense insurance if I am obese?
Yes, you can get final expense insurance if you are obese. Be sure to apply with life insurance companies that won’t ask about your weight.
Does BMI affect insurance?
BMI does not affect insurance rates. However, it is a measure of your health. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have health problems. This means they are more likely to make claims on their insurance policy.
What is the weight limit to be obese?
You are considered obese if your BMI is 30 or more. However, your weight may vary depending on your height. If you are very short, you may be considered obese at a lower BMI than someone taller.
Should I lose weight before getting life insurance?
There is no need to lose weight before getting life insurance. However, losing weight can improve your health and reduce your risk of health problems. This could make it easier for you to get life insurance in the future (but weight loss often takes months or years to accomplish).
Is weight considered a pre-existing condition?
No, weight is not considered a pre-existing condition. However, being obese or overweight can be a risk factor for health problems. This means that your insurance company may ask about your weight when you apply for insurance.
Can obese people get funeral insurance?
Yes, obese people can get funeral insurance. In fact, many funeral insurance policies do not ask about your weight. Be sure to apply with life insurance companies that never ask about your weight.
Do life insurance companies check weight?
No, life insurance companies do not check your weight. However, some policies may ask about your weight when you apply for coverage.
Will my life insurance go down if I lose weight?
There is no relationship between weight and life insurance premiums. However, losing weight can improve your health and reduce your risk of health problems. This could make it easier for you to get life insurance in the future.
Is 30 pounds overweight obese?
Your BMI is considered obese if it is 30 or more. However, your weight may vary depending on your height. If you are very short, you may be considered obese at a lower BMI than someone taller.
What weight do you have to be to get life insurance?
There is no specific weight that you need to be to get life insurance. However, your weight may affect your premiums. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have health problems. This means they are more likely to make claims on their insurance policy.
Why do insurance companies use BMI?
Insurance companies use BMI because it is a measure of your health. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have health problems. This means they are more likely to make claims on their insurance policy.
Can you get life insurance if you are morbidly obese?
Yes, you can get life insurance if you are morbidly obese. However, you will have to apply with life insurance companies that do not ask about your weight.
What is the BMI for morbid obesity?
Your BMI is considered morbidly obese if it is 40 or more. However, your weight may vary depending on your height. If you are very short, you may be considered morbidly obese at a lower BMI than someone who is taller.
Is morbid obesity a pre-existing condition?
No, morbid obesity is not a pre-existing condition. However, being morbidly obese can be a risk factor for health problems.
What qualifies as overweight?
Your BMI is considered overweight if it is 25 or more. However, your weight may vary depending on your height. If you are very short, you may be considered overweight at a lower BMI than someone taller.
Why can’t I get life insurance because of my weight?
You can get life insurance, but your weight may affect your premiums. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have health problems.
How does weight affect life insurance rates?
There is no relationship between weight and life insurance premiums. However, losing weight can improve your health and reduce your risk of health problems. This could make it easier for you to get life insurance.
Can you be denied health insurance because of weight?
Yes, you can be denied health insurance because of weight. However, this is becoming less common. Most insurance companies will not deny coverage to people who are overweight or obese.
What weight do you have to be to get life insurance?
There is no specific weight that you need to be to get life insurance. However, your weight may affect your premiums. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have health problems. This means that they are more likely to make claims on their insurance policy.
Can you get funeral insurance if you are obese?
Yes, obese people can get funeral insurance. However, they may have to apply with life insurance companies that do not ask about your weight.
Why can’t I get life insurance because of my weight?
You can get life insurance, but your weight may affect your premiums. People who are overweight or obese are more likely to have health problems. This means they are more likely to make claims on their insurance policy.
