The Impact of Lifestyle Choices on Insurance Premiums

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When most people think about insurance premiums, they assume it’s all about age, coverage, and driving records. But for health and life insurance, your lifestyle plays a huge role in how much you pay. Everything from your smoking status to how often you exercise or visit the doctor can directly impact your premiums.

Whether you’re looking to save money or just curious about how insurers evaluate risk, understanding how your everyday choices affect your rates can help you make smarter decisions and potentially lower your costs.

Smoking and Tobacco Use

Let’s start with one of the biggest red flags for insurers: smoking.

Tobacco use is linked to a wide range of health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illness. As a result, smokers typically pay 2 to 3 times more for life and health insurance than non-smokers.

Even occasional use like vaping, cigars, or nicotine patches can result in higher premiums unless your tobacco-free for 12+ months.

Good news: Many insurers offer non-smoker rates if you quit and remain tobacco-free for a specific period, so quitting doesn’t just improve your health it also saves you money.

Physical Activity and Exercise

An active lifestyle can be a major plus in the eyes of insurance companies. Regular exercise helps reduce the risk of conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes—all of which are factored into underwriting decisions.

Some insurers even reward healthy behavior with discounts, wellness program credits, or wearable device integrations that track your steps, heart rate, and activity levels.

Tip: If your insurer offers a health or fitness incentive program, take advantage of it, as it may lower your premiums over time or qualify you for added benefits.

Diet and Weight Management

Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and lifestyle is another factor that influences your premiums. Underwriters often review your Body Mass Index (BMI) during the application process for life or health insurance.

  • A higher BMI may increase your rates or limit your options

  • Diet-related conditions (like high cholesterol or diabetes) may raise red flags

  • Long-term healthy habits can result in better classification and lower costs

You don’t need to be perfect, but showing your insurer, a pattern of health improvement can help.

Alcohol Consumption and Mental Health

Excessive alcohol use or a history of substance abuse can lead to higher premiums or even coverage denial. Insurers may also review mental health conditions and prescription history to assess long-term risk.

On the other hand, demonstrating stability, wellness checkups, and consistent treatment can work in your favor.

Insurance Programs That Incentivize Healthy Lifestyles

Some life and health insurers now offer “wellness-based policies” that adjust your premiums based on your lifestyle habits. You might receive discounts or rewards for:

  • Getting annual physicals

  • Meeting fitness goals tracked via apps

  • Participating in smoking cessation programs

  • Completing nutrition or stress management courses

These programs are designed to encourage healthy habits and reward you for them.

You can experience the benefits of being a part of a full-service Independent Insurance Agency today! Simply contact Briggs Agency, Inc. if you are interested in an insurance review at 219-769-4840 or visit our website at www.BriggsAgency.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Blog post written by: Caden Gliva