Pricing Obesity Appropriately

TAL has recently adjusted the TAL BMI calculation loadings to provide a more accurate reflection of the risks involved.

General Manager Retail Distribution, Niall McConville said that the Australian life insurance industry has assessed and accepted overweight and obese customers at standard rates.

As an industry, we are continuously working towards long-term sustainability and there is an industry need to review what is classed as standard risks.

"We believe in appropriately pricing risk, based on available evidence, to ensure our ability to pay claims in the future," Mr McConville said.

TAL reviewed the rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity in Australia and the subsequent need to price risk more accurately.

As a result, premium loadings will now be charged for overweight and obese customers who may have previously been accepted at standard rates across all benefit types. The BMI loading will increase with the rise of a customer's rating on the TAL BMI tables.

Unfortunately, Australia is at the forefront of the obesity problem and this represents a substantial health, societal and financial issue for all Australians. The most recent Australian Health Survey 2011-2012¹ showed that nearly 63% of Australian adults are considered overweight or obese. In terms of population, this would result in an estimated total of 16.9 million Australians being either overweight or obese²

"There will be opportunities for customers to have their medical loading for obesity reviewed. This hopefully is an incentive for people to get healthier. Customers should be paying the right price for their risk"

Further information:
Natalie Kitchen 02 9448 9224/0432 419 533 natalie.kitchen@tal.com.au

About TAL: The specialist voice of life insurance in Australia
TAL is Australia's largest life insurance company with leading competitive offerings in each of its core distribution channels: direct to customers; through financial advisers; and via group and workplace superannuation schemes. TAL provides more life insurance solutions to Australians than any other insurer. TAL is owned by The Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, Limited, one of Japan's largest life insurers.

1. Overweight and Obesity Statistics

2. No Time to Weight. Obesity: A National Epidemic and its impact on Australia. Obesity Australia 2014