Too Fat to Insure?

Insurance companies are increasingly getting worried about an Obese India. With links to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and ...

Insurance companies are increasingly getting worried about an Obese India. With links to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes and many types of cancer, obesity is now a major public health concern.

WHO’S AT RISK?: In India, obesity is most significant among the middle-class socio-economic population. In this group, as many as 50 per cent of the female population and over 30 per cent of males are estimated to be obese.

HIGH RISK: The rising levels of obesity run counter to the overall decline in mortality rates seen in most developed nations in recent decades. Mortality improvements have been driven by the progress in medical treatment, reduction in heart diseases and declining tobacco use.

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PREMIUM TO BE HIGHER: Looking ahead, the study says the life insurance industry must tackle issues associated with increases in obesity by ensuring that the related risks are accurately assessed and rated, and that consumers are charged an appropriate premium to reflect the risk they present.

“As consumers’ weight goes up, so too will their premiums.’’— Ronald Klein, Global Head of Pricing Swiss Re.

SC on Waqf Act: Stay on clause that creator has to be practising Islam for 5 yrs

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The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, provision requiring registration of Waqf by user, but paused the clause that states a person must be a practitioner of Islam for five years to create a Waqf until state governments frame relevant rules.

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