Obesity epidemic 'to push up life insurance costs'

It has been suggested that life insurance premiums are likely to be bigger in future as they respond to the country's expanding waistlines.

As the UK suffers from an obesity epidemic, life insurance premiums are likely to become larger for many because of the increased risk that being overweight poses to their health, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

Jonathan French, a spokesperson for the ABI, explained: "Lifestyle factors could have a bearing on the premium that you pay - and it's likely that different insurers will use different measures to determine lifestyle factors. Obesity is going to be one such factor."

Recent figures released by the Department of Health found that over half of all British adults are now overweight, meaning that those people are at a greater risk of associated illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

Mr French added: "If you are obese there is a higher risk of other health problems resulting from that, and therefore the risk of a claim is going to be higher and insurers will price their policy accordingly."


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