Mike’s Life Insurance Advice

According to the Telegraph, middle class drinkers who consume more than their recommended weekly intake of alcohol face paying higher life insurance premiums.

This is kind of crazy, but in one sense I understand it. Heavy drinkers do a lot of damage to their bodies and insurance companies are having to shell out for what are essentially self-inflicted injuries. Now I like a beer as much as the next guy, but I’m by no means a heavy drinker.

These new rules mean even moderate drinkers who consume a little and often – by drinking a glass or two of wine in the evening or with food – could be hit with higher costs. Heavy drinkers could be denied life insurance altogether, and in fact some people have been.

Now I can understand why they want to be careful of people who drink heavily and have health problems, as documented by a physician, but I don’t think its right to charge moderate drinkers more.

Official UK guidelines say men shouldn’t consume more than 21 units of alcohol a week, and ladies, 14 units – with one unit equivalent to half a pint of beer, a shot of whiskey or a small glass of wine.