18 September 2023

We can’t believe we’re already halfway through September, before you know it we’ll be celebrating Halloween!

As September 20th marks National Fitness Day, it is only fitting that we talk about the benefits of being physically active and how it can affect your life insurance policy.

Let’s start with the benefits of physical activity…

• Improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age.
• Reduce short-term feelings of anxiety for adults.
• Can help keep your thinking, learning and judgement skills sharp.
• Reduced risk of depression and anxiety.
• Help you sleep better.
• Help with weight management.
• Can help to reduce your health risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, infectious diseases, dementia and some cancers.
• Strengthen your bones and muscles.
• Improve your ability to do daily activities.
• Helps to prevent falls.
• Increases your chances of living longer.
• Manage chronic health conditions and disabilities.

How can you get started?

It’s simple, just start moving – do at least 150 minutes of physical activity over a week, this is the what the UK Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines on GOV.UK state to stay healthy.

The easiest way to do this is by making it part of your everyday life, such as walking or cycling to get around instead of using the car or public transport. If you can do more, that’s great take part in sports or exercise you enjoy. To benefit your health, you need to do a moderate intensity activity. This level of effort will mean you are moving your body quick enough to raise your heart rate, breathe faster and feel warm. If you work harder by doing vigorous intensity activity, there is evidence that this can benefit your health even more.

One area of our lives that can be impacted by our health choices is our life insurance, adopting an active lifestyle can result in potential savings on insurance expenses.

Insurance companies calculate premiums based on various factors that help them asses the risk associated with insuring an individual. These are some of the key factors that are assessed:

• Age.
• Gender.
• Medical history.
• Family medical history.
• Lifestyle choices.
• Occupation.
• Weight and fitness level.
• Participation in risky activities.
• Geographic location.
• Policy type and coverage.

By evaluating these factors, insurance companies can estimate the risk associated with insuring an individual and determine appropriate premium rates to cover potential claims and expenses.

Now let’s talk about how physical activity can affect your life insurance policy…

Physical activity can have an effect on the cost of your insurance due to the benefits associated to your health. It can reduce the risk of many chronic diseases that are often associated with higher insurance costs. It also promotes cardiovascular health which can help prevent hospitalisation, which is considered with the cost of insurance premiums. Also, physical activity helps individuals maintain a healthy weight, reducing risks of chronic conditions that are associated with medical cost and aids in blood sugar management and insulin sensitivity. These helps to reduce high insurance premiums.

An active lifestyle has a direct impact on life insurance premiums, as individuals who maintain good health and fitness levels are considered lower risk by insurance companies. It can also contribute to longer life expectancy as it has many health benefits. Because of this insurance providers may offer lower premiums to individuals who engage in physical activity, as individuals are less likely to develop costly medical conditions. By offering lower premiums to healthier individuals, this can minimize their financial exposure and encourage the policyholder to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

This means by maintaining good health and fitness - it benefits not only your health but also your finances.

Written by: Amy Johnson

*Please note that the above information has been gathered through secondary research. The information provided is not based on our opinion. You should seek further guidance and information before making an informed decision.

Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm#:~:text=Being%20physically%20active%20can%20improve,activity%20gain%20some%20health%20benefits.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/physical-activity-guidelines-uk-chief-medical-officers-report
https://protectyourwealth.ca/unlock-savings-how-exercise-can-lower-your-insurance-premiums/