Most life insurance companies take your basic body build into consideration when computing insurance costs. Your build is your height-to-weight ratio. If you're too heavy for your height, you may find that your life insurance rates will be higher.

The American Obesity Association estimates that 127 million American adults are overweight, and that percentage is on the rise. So it's more important than ever to keep yourself fit and healthy. Obesity, along with other factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, can lead to serious health problems.

To be considered for an insurance company's preferred lower rates, it's important to keep your height-to-weight ratio at or near the normal range for your body type. If you've lost weight and kept it off, make sure to let your insurance company know. You might qualify for a better rate.

If they won't lower your rates after you've proved your weight loss, it might be time to shop around for a new term life insurance policy that will offer you lower rates.