Does BMI Affect Life Insurance? 
BMI -LRB- Body Mass Index -RRB- numbers between 18 and 50 are the outer minimum and maximum parameters of what most life insurance companies will cover with a medically underwritten policy . If a person is extremely underweight or malnourished -LRB- BMI under 18.5 -RRB- or morbidly obese -LRB- BMI over 40 -RRB- , there are simplified issue policies for nearly every BMI , depending on one 's age and state of residence . For those with normal BMI , life insurance rates will be in the Preferred range as long as everything else is Preferred . For those who are overweight , the BMI will be part of the determination in what rating to give , along with other health factors . 