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BMI limits and lifestyle

View our current BMI and lifestyle philosophies.

Find out how we assess lifestyle and BMI, and how it could affect your client’s cover.

It’s important your client tells us as much as possible during their application, because how they live their life can have an impact on the cost of their cover.

Full disclosure from the start means we can make a fair and accurate assessment. This helps avoid possible misrepresentation, which can result in a claim being declined.

BMI tool

Get indicative terms on body mass index (BMI) using our Pre-sale Underwriting tool in Agent Hub.

 

Get indicative terms on body mass index (BMI) using our Pre-sale Underwriting tool in Agent Hub.

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Lifestyle Details

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Alcohol consumption

We’ll ask your client to tell us as much as possible about how much alcohol they drink and if they work in the licenced trade.

We might request your client to undergo a nurses examination, which will include liver and kidney function blood tests.

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Hazardous activities

There are several things we need to know if your client is involved in a hazardous activity, including how often they take part, where they do the activity (including which countries if abroad), any qualifications or memberships they have, any involvement in motorsport racing, and the depth and type of diving activities.

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Recreational drugs

We ask about recreational drug use from clients applying for life insurance, critical Illness cover, income protection benefit and with optional benefit Waiver of Premium.

There’s no legal implications for your client if they answer ‘yes’ to this question, but as recreational drugs are known to increase mortality and morbidity, we may rate or decline their application.

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Smoking

We apply smoker’s rates to anyone who has smoked cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or used nicotine replacements within the last 12 months.

Smoking is regarded as an additional risk factor during the underwriting process. This may result in higher premiums, or an application being declined.

Ex-smoker rates may apply to individuals who have smoked in the last 5 years but not in the last 12 months.

Speak to a Pre-sale Underwriter

Need more help? You can contact our team in two ways.

 

Call us

You can call our Pre-sale Underwriting team on 0370 333 3699.

We’re open Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm.

We may record and monitor calls. Call charges will vary.

Contact us

Get a fast and accurate indication of terms with our Pre-sale Underwriting form, available to you any time.

Just fill in your client’s details, and one of our Pre-sale Underwriters will email you an indication of terms.

More from Adviser Protection

Evidence for underwriting

Find out when and why we ask for certain types of medical evidence.

Occupation and armed forces

Guidance on our different occupation classes.

Residency and travel

Our underwriting position for residency and travel.