Life Insurance Height and Weight Chart

Quick Article Guide

Here’s what we'll cover in this post:

• Does Height and Weight Matter In Life Insurance?
• Banner Life Insurance Height Weight Chart
• Prudential Life Insurance Height Weight Chart
• Transamerica Life Insurance Height Weight Chart
• Can You Be Denied Life Insurance for Height and Weight?
• Which Company is Best for Me?

Does Height and Weight Matter In Life Insurance?

Your height and weight, or build, is a major factor in determing the cost of your life insurance. Insurance providers use height and weight charts to assign you to a rate class based on your build. In addition to your weight, insurers also evalute your cholesterol, blood pressure, prescription history, driving records, and liver/kidney function.

The most common rate classes are preferred best, preferred, standard plus, and standard. Preferred best is reserved to the healthiest individuals in their age bracket, followed by preferred and standard plus. Standard rates are available to those in average health for their age group. 

If you have do not have any underlying health concerns or a hazardous occupation, your height and weight ratio will play the biggest role in determing the cost of your coverage. Thankfully, some top-rated providers including Banner Life offer underwriting credits to those who are in overall good health and exercise regularly. 

For example: We recently helped a woman in her early 40's. She was in good health overall, but her height and weight made her a "standard" risk for life insurance. After explaining that she has two large dogs that need to be walked daily, Banner reconsidered and offered her a "preferred" rate. 

Banner Life Insurance Height Weight Chart

Banner is an A+ rated life insurance provider that is owned by Legal and General of America. The company spends very little on advertising which allows them to offer extremely competitive rates to their customers. They also use a unisex height and weight chart so males and females have the same build allowances.

*Displayed build guidelines are accurate as of 03/20/2023 and are provided for illustrative purposes only.

Banner offers underwriting credits to individuals that are in overall good health, and these credits could help you get approved at a higher rate class. To learn more about Banner and the life insurance products they offer, please see our review, "Insider's Guide to Banner Life Insurance - Ratings and Pricing."

Prudential Life Insurance Height Weight Chart

Prudential is an A+ rated life insurance provider that has been in business since 1875. The company is known for their underwriting leniency, hence their slogan, "Bring Your Challenges." They offer unisex height/weight charts and are usually the best option for those with serious health concerns like prostate cancer, diabetes, and diverticulitis. 

*Displayed build guidelines are accurate as of 03/20/2023 and are provided for illustrative purposes only.

In addition to offering aggressive pricing for applicants that are a "high-risk" for life insurance, Prudential's policies also include a free accelerated death benefit. This allows the insured to access their death benefit if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness. To learn more about Prudential, see our article, "Prudential Life Insurance Review - 7 Reasons They're the Best."

Transamerica Life Insurance Height Weight Chart

Transamerica is an A rated life insurance provider that has been operating since 1904. The company is known for their underwriting leniency with older applicants, especially after 70. They are also one of two providers that offer a 30-year term until age 58. Transamerica does not use a unisex build chart, the table below is for males under 70. 

*Displayed build guidelines are accurate as of 03/20/2023 and are provided for illustrative purposes only.

Transamerica is also very lenient with respiratory issues including sleep apnea and asthma. To Learn more about the Transamerica company and the policies they offer, please see our article, "Transamerica Life Insurance Review - Policies and Pricing."

Can You Be Denied Life Insurance for Height and Weight?

If your build exceeds the life insurance provider's height and weight guidelines, your application will be declined. But this doesn't mean you should give up. Every company sets their own weight limits, and some are more lenient than others, so you might have a better chance with a provider that specializes with individuals that are considered obese. 

There are also guaranteed acceptance life insurance policies available to almost anyone over the age of 45, regardless of their height and weight. These policies do not ask any health questions and no medical exam is required for approval. The downside is that the death benefit is limited to $25,000, and full coverage does not start for two years. 

Which Company is Best for Me?

While your height and weight plays a major role in determing the cost of your life insurance, it is not the only factor that insurers will consider when approving your application. If you have other health concerns, they could also impact the life insurance providers available to you, and your premiums. 

This is why you should work with an experienced agent that represents a least a dozen life insurance providers. One company might offer extremely lenient height and weight guidelines, but they might be less favorable with family history or minor health issues like slighly elevated blood pressure, offsetting their build allowance. 

Our independent agency represents 63 top-rated life insurance providers and we are experts at finding the best life insurance options for our clients. Give us a call toll-free at 855-247-9555,  or request an instant quote by clicking on the map below. Our comparative shopping service is completely free and there is no cost to apply.