By Zurich Marketing Team The rapid growth in weight-loss medications is reshaping the protection industry, with implications for disclosures, underwriting outcomes and adviser guidance. Today, weight-loss drugs are headline news – and more customers are selfadministering the jabs. “Just 12 months ago, we saw these cases only occasionally,” says Fraser Ballantine, underwriting quality and risk manager at Zurich. “Now, they’re coming through far more frequently – and advisers are starting to want clarity on how the use of these drugs might affect their customers’ protection journey.” Use of medicated weight-loss treatments has surged. IQVIA, a global health data and analytics company estimates there were around 1.5 million users in the UK as of March 20251. “While some people still turn to traditional methods to lose weight, the flood of social media posts showing dramatic body transformations has fuelled growing interest in weight-loss drugs,” says Ballantine. For insurers, the health impact of obesity – and the benefits of tackling it – go well beyond appearance. “Obesity is a major risk factor not only for type 2 diabetes, but also for heart attacks, strokes, certain obesity-related cancers and even dementia, so successful weight loss can have far-reaching health benefits,” Ballantine adds. Known medically as GLP-1 receptor agonists, these drugs were developed for diabetes but clinical trials showing double-digit weight reductions shifted demand to weight management. NHS guidance still limits prescriptions to patients meeting strict criteria, but private access has surged. This shift means insurers must adapt to disclosures that blur medical treatment and lifestyle – and advisers need clarity on assessment. A positive stance In trials, GLP-1 drugs have helped patients lose 15-21% of their body weight. In practice, results can be more modest: A 2025 ASMBS survey showed an average weight loss of 4.7% for patients who took GLP1 prescription medication for at least six months or 7% for those who took it for a year, compared to total weight loss of 24% for those who underwent bariatric surgery2. Insurers’ approach so far is constructive. “Generally, we see the use of weightloss medications as a positive,” Ballantine explains. “If someone is obese and they’re losing weight, the long-term health benefits are likely to outweigh the risks.” Zurich has not yet added dedicated questions about weight-loss drugs to its applications. For now, disclosures are expected through existing questions such as: ‘In the last two years have you had medication or treatment that lasted more than four weeks or have you been treated in hospital as an inpatient?’ Ballantine says: “If someone is taking weight loss medication, we’d expect to see it disclosed under this question. “If a customer has chosen to use GLP-1 to improve other conditions such as high blood pressure, we’d also expect the high blood pressure to be disclosed on the application.” 12 WINTER PROTECT NEWSLETTER Underwriting in the Age of Weight-loss Medication
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