Best life insurance companies for smokers

term life insurance for ex and current smokers

It is possible to be denied life insurance for a smoker if you have other medical conditions, like smoking-related ailments. It is also possible to be barred from the policy in the event that you make false statements on your application regarding smoking.

The most common verification method is a medical exam that typically involves taking urine and blood samples. These tests will detect the presence of cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine. It can also be found in hair and saliva samples. However, testing for cotinine isn't completely foolproof. Smokers could get past if they've not smoking for a one or two days.

Smoking cigarettes among adults is at a record low of just 14% in the latest report of the surgeon general. But , 16 million Americans suffer from smoking-related diseases. It's not necessary to suffer from the health effects of having to pay more expensive life insurance rates. Smoking cigarettes will generally lead to higher premiums when purchasing life insurance.

smoker vs non smoker life insurance —

The policies can also earn the value of cash over time, allowing you to take out loans or the value that accumulates.

Once you buy a policy, a life insurance company can't raise your rates. So if you start deep-sea diving or smoking afterward, you'll still enjoy the life insurance rates you already locked in. The same is true for health conditions you develop after buying a policy.

If you have purchased life insurance at a premium that was a smoker and you have resigned for at least one year, you might be eligible for an affordable cost. It is possible to ask your life insurance company for how the time you have to stop smoking in order before they can consider you to be a non-smoker.

Best life insurance companies for smokers

term life insurance for ex and current smokers best

What effect does smoking have on the cost of life insurance? Smokers - even occasionally- are charged more because smoking tobacco and cigarettes greatly increase the likelihood of dying earlier than those who don't .

The life insurance provider can't increase the rates when you buy an insurance policy. Therefore, if you begin smoking or go diving after, you'll benefit from the life insurance rates you already have locked in. It's the same for any health issues you acquire after buying an insurance policy.

term life insurance for ex and current smokers best
term life insurance for ex and current smokers are

term life insurance for ex and current smokers are

If you plan to stop smoking now or recently quit smoking, a term life policy may be a good option to consider. By the time your policy matures, it could be years since your last cigarette. If you've been smoke-free for a prescribed number of years (usually at least 2-5 years), you can apply for a level term life insurance policy and likely get a much better premium for your term choice than you would if you were still a smoker.

To be taken as a non-smoker life insurance, companies typically require that you smoking-free for one year. Even if you stopped smoking for a while and don't believe that the insurance company will find anything in your system, you should not be a liar about your smoking habits or the date you have stopped.

If you need help or have questions, talk to an agent who can help you find the best policy to meet your needs.

life insurance rates smoker vs nonsmoker

If you're not ready to quit smoking, you'll want to seek the best life insurance for smokers. If you are a smoker but otherwise relatively healthy, you may have a range of life insurance options. If you have serious smoking-related illnesses, you may still have options but will likely have to pay higher premiums or have a smaller death benefit.

The chance that life insurance companies have that you'll begin smoking late in your life minimal. About 90% of users start smoking cigarettes before age 18 as per the Centers for Disease Control.

The most common verification method is a medical examination, which usually involves taking urine and blood samples. The samples will show the presence of cotinine as a byproduct of nicotine. It can also be found in hair and saliva samples. However, testing for cotinine isn't completely foolproof. Smokers could pass through if they haven't smoked for a few days.

term life insurance for ex and current smokers 2017
term life insurance for ex and current smokers 2017

A primary verification method is a life insurance medical exam, which typically includes taking blood and urine samples. These samples will reveal cotinine in your system, a byproduct of nicotine. Cotinine can also be detected in saliva and hair samples. But testing for cotinine isn't foolproof. Smokers may be able to slip through if they haven't smoked in a day or two.

Yes, you can still get life insurance if you smoke, chew tobacco, or vape. If you're worried there aren't life insurance products available to you, don't give up. Due to these habits, life insurance could be more expensive, but you still have options available. Should you quit, you'll have more options and potentially lower premiums over time.

If you've passed that time threshold, you can ask for the rate to be reconsidered. That means you'll take a new life insurance medical exam and re-evaluate your health. If you've also developed new medical conditions in the interim, those will factor into the new rate. So getting a re-rating isn't necessarily a slam dunk after you've quit smoking.

cheapest term life insurance for smokers

Some life insurance policies do not require a medical check-up. Certain procedures like the guaranteed issue type of life insurance do not require a medical exam and come with no health requirements. The rates are based on your gender, age, and coverage amount.

A common method for verification is a medical exam that typically involves taking urine and blood samples. The samples will show the presence of cotinine in your body, a byproduct of nicotine. Cotinine is also detected in hair and saliva samples. However, testing for cotinine isn't completely foolproof. Smokers might be able to pass through if they haven't had a smoke in the last couple of days.

When you're classified as a smoker, you lower your chances of getting a lower premium rate or a higher death benefit. That said, there are still life insurance options available to smokers. Just know the average cost of life insurance for a smoker will be higher than for a non-smoker for the same amount of coverage.

cheapest term life insurance for smokers

Frequently Asked Questions


Results. The life expectancy of male, ex-smokers, and never-smokers at 40 years was 38.5, 40.8, and 42.4 years respectively. In women, the corresponding life expectancies were 42.4, 42.1, and 46.1 years.


Your lung function improves within two to three months after the last cigarette. During the first year after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease, and your lungs improve at cleaning themselves to reduce the risk of infection.


The average cost of life insurance for a smoker is $87.71 per month — that's four times more expensive than a healthy individual's average life insurance premium, which is $24.82 per month. Several factors determine your rate.