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BMI Calculator: How Your BMI Affects Life Insurance Premiums

Updated 5 May 2026​

Summary​
  • Body Mass Index (BMI) is one of the standard inputs NZ life insurers use when pricing life cover, income protection, and trauma insurance.
  • Our BMI Calculator shows you where you sit on the BMI scale and explains exactly what that means for your insurance application.
  • ​​​​​​​We have published this calculator because BMI can be an important factor when applying for life insurance and health insurance.

BMI Calculator

Calculate your Body Mass Index and see what it means for your life insurance application. NZ insurers use BMI as one factor in pricing life and health cover.

Height cm
Weight kg
Healthy weight range for your height 53.5 - 72.0 kg
Your BMI 24.2 Healthy weight
Under
Healthy
Over
Obese
16 18.5 25 30 40+
i
Standard premium territory A BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is generally considered standard by all NZ life insurers, with no premium loadings applied based on BMI alone. Premiums will still vary by age, smoking status, occupation, and medical history.
About BMI: Body Mass Index is a screening tool, not a diagnostic measure. It doesn't account for muscle mass, bone density, body composition, or ethnic differences (research suggests BMI ranges may differ for Asian and Pacific peoples). Athletic and muscular builds often register as "overweight" without being unhealthy. For a complete health assessment, speak with your GP. For life insurance specifically, BMI is just one of many factors in underwriting.

BMI: Ethnic groups and the relevance of waist size

Maori, Pacific Island, Asian and other minority ethnic groups have a higher risk of developing some long-term (chronic) conditions, such as type 2 diabetes. These adults with a BMI of:
  • 23 or more are at increased risk
  • 27.5 or more are at high risk

Why waist size also matters
  • Measuring your waist is a good way to check you're not carrying too much fat around your stomach, which can raise your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke.
  • You can have a healthy BMI and still have excess tummy fat – meaning you're still at risk of developing these conditions.

To measure your waist:
  1. Find the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips.
  2. Wrap a tape measure around your waist midway between these points.
  3. Breathe out naturally before taking the measurement.

Regardless of your height or BMI, you should try to lose weight if your waist is:
  • 94cm (37ins) or more for men
  • 80cm (31.5ins) or more for women

You're at very high risk and should contact your GP if your waist is:
  • 102cm (40ins) or more for men
  • 88cm (34ins) or more for women
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