Looking for a quick and easy way to check your BMI? Use our BMI calculator below to instantly see where you stand. Whether you’re keeping track of your health or considering how your BMI might affect your health insurance premiums, knowing your BMI is a great starting point. Calculating your BMI can help you understand your personal health risks and guide you towards making informed decisions about your future.
Once you’ve entered your details into the BMI calculator, you’ll be classified into one of several categories: underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. But what does this really mean? In New Zealand, insurers often use BMI as part of their risk assessments when offering policies. So, your BMI doesn’t just affect your health – it can also impact your health and life insurance options.
What is BMI and Why is It Important?
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of your weight relative to your height. It’s calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared. Though BMI isn’t perfect – it doesn’t differentiate between muscle and fat – it’s widely used to give a general indication of body fat levels and potential health risks.
In New Zealand, a healthy BMI is considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9. If your BMI is outside this range, it could signal a higher risk for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension, which insurers factor into their premium calculations.
How Does BMI Impact Health Insurance in NZ?
Health and life insurance companies in New Zealand often use BMI as part of their evaluation when determining your personal risk. A higher or lower BMI can result in higher premiums, exclusions for certain conditions, or even difficulty securing a policy.
If your BMI falls into the overweight or obese categories, insurers may see this as a greater risk due to the potential health problems associated with higher body fat levels. However, they might also ask for further information, such as waist circumference or other medical tests, to get a more accurate picture of your health. Even being underweight can raise red flags, as it may suggest underlying health issues that increase risk.
It's very important to seek advice around insurance. Some providers will put a loading on your premiums (i.e. charge more) for having a BMI outside the healthy range. Likewise, some providers offer rewards and lifetime discounts for falling within a certain range. Talk to us to understand your options!
Why Use a BMI Calculator?
It’s easy to see why a BMI calculator is useful. Not only does it help you gauge your current health status, but it also provides insight into how your BMI could affect your insurance options. If your BMI falls outside the typical healthy range, it’s an opportunity to make lifestyle changes that could improve your health and reduce insurance costs in the future.
Simply input your details into our BMI calculator above to get started.
Planning for the Future
Knowing your BMI is a key step in managing your health and considering your insurance needs. It’s important to stay proactive, whether by adopting healthier habits or reviewing your current insurance policies. If you’d like to explore your personal insurance options, you can visit Seek Cover’s Personal Insurance page. For help finding a policy that fits your needs, head to our Get Started page.
BMI FAQ's
What is BMI, and how is it calculated?
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a simple formula that compares your weight to your height to estimate if you are underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. It's calculated by dividing your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (kg/m²). While it's not a perfect measure of health, BMI is widely used to assess potential health risks related to body fat.
How accurate is BMI as a health measure?
What is a healthy BMI range?
Why does BMI matter for health insurance?
Can BMI affect my insurance premiums?
Does BMI apply the same way to everyone?
What should I do if my BMI is too high or low?
Is the BMI calculator different for men and women?
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.
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