Why do auto insurers consider things like commuting distance, age of driver, sex of driver, driving distance, how often you drive when creating a policy, but major HMOs and PPOs don't consider things like how often you work out, your weight, fat percentage, what your diet is like, among the many other things that are an actual measure of one's health when charging an employee for health benefits? Surely, if obesity is raising the cost of health insurers, than let the fat ones pay more for it and the ones in shape less for it.

Well, because pre-existing conditions are a more realistic prediction of future problems. They DO consider weight/height, and smoking, if it makes you feel any better.

It depends on what type of health insurance you have.

If you have your coverage through a company's group plan, then you are right, the company providing coverage doesn't look at each individual's body type and medical history as these individuals join the group.

However, these issues do come into play eventually by pushing up the claims history. When the groups contract comes up for renewal, the companies with higher claims experience will get higher rates.

If you are buying individual coverage, your weight is a factor and they will charge you more if you are over the limit on their height and weight charts. If you are too heavy, they will deny you coverage. And of course, your weight is a factor in having high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which will increase the price you pay for your insurance.

of course thay are two differnet things