There is a saying that goes something like, the sincerest form of flattery is impersonation, or having your stuff ripped off or something like that.
Over the past few months some company in the UK has been copying my posts and selling them under the guise that they are writing content for a customer’s website. Of course the customer doesn’t know any better (I talked to him today) and this company makes $800 a month by copying and pasting my blogs for resale. From one customer.
Well, if you’re cruising through my posts looking for more profit, take a hike. If you can’t make an honest living by writing original content, find another occupation.
Bottom line. As my office manager told me, if the blogs sucked, no one would steal them. I hope my posts are a service, even when they are copied. My true desire is to educate anyone that would listen about life insurance and how health impacts your ability to obtain it.
September 18th, 2007
In studying for my previous post on the reality weight loss show, Biggest Loser, I came across what I consider to be an awesome feature of the show’s website. They actually have a doctor that hosts a blog.
Dr Jen Kerns hosts a blog that provides medical answers concerning weight loss. I am more than a little impressed with this and just wanted to share it.
Bottom line. Obesity results in higher life insurance rates, but it isn’t just the weight that underwriters are concerned with. Obesity has a host of collateral health issues. It simply puts a strain on your body and almost every system in your body. From diabetes to heart disease to some forms of cancer, obesity is often the starting point.
September 18th, 2007
Because I feel strongly about the need for more discussion and more education on the effects of obesity, what I started with ABC’s Fat March I will now take up with NBC’s Biggest Loser. Again, my focus is not the show or the internal contest or game. What I hope to bring to light is the impact that weight can have on life insurance rates and as importantly, the impact that weight loss can have on them.
There are a few caveats to the way I will present this. There is an assumption that there are no underlying health issues. Because insurance companies reward long term weight loss, there will be an assumption that the weight loss has been kept off for more than a year. All life insurance quotes are for $250,000 of 20 year term. I will be using the company that will make the best offer at any given height and weight. All quotes will be yearly premiums.
Having said all of that, the show started with 18 participants. Below is a list of their height and weight at the beginning of the show, and the best price available for the life insurance. All were insurable from the start.
Blue Team
Jerry – 62 years old, 5’11, 297# - Quote $3681.00
Kae – 27, 5’2, 225# - Quote $310.00
Neil – 25, 6’2, 421# - Quote $560.00
Nicole, 26, 5’6, 279# - Quote $344.00
Patty, 34, 5’8, 280# - Quote $449.00
Ryan, 29, 5’10, 374# - Quote $610.00
Red Team
Amber, 30, 5’4, 295# – voted off - Quote $430.00
Amy, 28, 5’6, 297# - Quote - $413.00
Bryan, 29, 6’0, 346# - Quote $544.00
David, 31, 6’0, 368# - Quote $566.00
Lezlye, 34, 5’5, 255# - Quote $388.00
Phil, 27, 6’5, 403# - Quote $513.00
Black Team
Bill, 40, 5’8, 334# - Quote $912.00
Hollie, 28, 5’7, 255# - Quote $319.00
Isabeau, 21, 5’8, 298# - Quote $344.00
Jez, 24, 5’8, 345# - Quote $570.00
Jim, 40, 5’7, 361# - Quote $1148.00
Julie, 34, 5’2, 218# - Quote $388.00
Subsequent posts will reflect weight changes as they occur and any rate changes in the life insurance quotes that result from that weight loss. Just a few obvious things when you are looking at the quotes. Age is a big factor. Jerry at 62 has by far the highest rates and that has more to do with age than weight. Women pay less than men. Just a fact of life guys. They outlive us on average by about 4-5 years so their life insurance is less expensive.
Bottom line. Please consider the implications of what is being presented. Not only does obesity affect life insurance rates, but the reason it does is the impact it can potentially have on a large number of collateral health issues such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Life insurance underwriters reward healthy lifestyles. Let’s follow these folks to more healthy lives and lower rates.
September 18th, 2007
In a series of blogs I followed an ABC reality show called Fat March. One of the participants on that show, Loralie, was there for the express purpose of losing weight because she and her husband wanted to have a baby. At 241 pounds when she started, her doctor suggested that pregnancy was a dangerous option.
In a Reuter’s article a few days ago a study was noted that showed a substantially increased rate of stillbirth among women who were obese. This issue seemed to revolve around the same issues that I have discussed a number of times, the collateral health issues that accompany obesity. It seems that overweight women are more prone to high blood pressure and diabetes during pregnancy. Obviously these can impact the unborn child.
Another study followed people who were obese or underweight during their teenage years and found that both issues caused fertility problems in both men and women in adulthood.
I have often stressed the collateral health issues of obesity and how they can impact your health, your longevity and yes, your life insurance rates. Life insurance aside though (at least for a minute), obesity can impact your plans for a family in the future.
By the way, Loralie finished Fat March at 185 pounds, and I suspect with a green light for her and her husband to pursue the making of Loralie Jr.
Bottom line. Life insurance underwriters drive home the dangers of obesity with rates that reflect not just the weight, but the collateral issues that can come with it. Although you may feel like the issue of pregnancy hits home more than life insurance, having life insurance in place is also one of those important things to consider when you are planning a family. If you are overweight, find an independent agent that can uncover the best possible rates for your situation. As you lose weight, the same agent will be able to help you get better rates.
September 18th, 2007
