term life insurance for ex and current smokers club

smokers life insurance

If you're a smoker you're likely aware of how it can harm your health. Smoking cigarettes is the most common cause of preventable illness as well as disability and death across the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking is responsible for 480,000 deaths (1 out of 5 deaths).

Another negative consequence of smoking cigarettes is the cost of life insurance premiums. Smokers pay four times more for an insurance policy than people who don't smoke.

Yes, smokers can get life insurance. But you should expect to pay higher rates than a non-smoker. That's because tobacco use is a proven health risk and impacts your life expectancy. Life expectancy is a major cost factor when insurance companies set their rates.

what constitutes a smoker —

What is the effect of smoking on the rates of life insurance? Smokers, even on occasion will pay more for insurance because smoking tobacco and cigarettes greatly increase the chance of dying earlier than those who don't .

Yes, smokers can get life insurance. But , expect to pay more than a non-smoker. This is because smoking cigarettes is a well-known health risk that can impact the length of your life. Life expectancy is an important cost factor for insurance companies to determine their rates.

Whole-life policies also accrue cash value over time, allowing you to borrow against them or withdraw the accumulated value.

term life insurance for ex and current smokers 022

The term insurance comes with an unchanging premium and a guaranteed death benefits. When you purchase a term plan you'll have to renew your coverage if you live beyond the length of the term.

Whole-life insurance policies also accumulate in cash values with time, which allows you to take out loans or take the value that accumulates.

If you bought life insurance at a premium that was a smoker and you have resigned for at the very least a year, you might be eligible for an affordable cost. It is possible to ask the life insurance company how the time you have to stop smoking to qualify as an non-smoker.

term life insurance for ex and current smokers 022
life insurance chewing tobacco

life insurance chewing tobacco

You may be denied life insurance for a smoker, if you have other medical conditions, for example, smoking-related illnesses. It is also possible to be barred from insurance when you falsely claim on your application to have smoking.

What happens if you're not truthful about your tobacco and smoking use when applying for insurance? If you die within the contestability period (the year or two following your death) or your insurance company discovers that you're smoking or used tobacco products. The policy could be invalid and your beneficiaries could not be able to receive the death benefit.

When you buy an insurance policy, a life insurance company cannot increase the rates if you decide to begin smoking or go diving after; you'll still be able to enjoy the rates on life insurance that you already have locked in. This is also true for any health issues you acquire after buying insurance.

life insurance for tobacco users

If you're a cigarette smoker, you're likely aware of how it can have a negative impact on your health. Smoking cigarettes is the most common cause of preventable diseases and disability and death across the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking is responsible for 480,000 deaths (1 out of 5 deaths).

The chance that life insurance companies have that you'll be smoking cigarettes at a later age is minimal. Around 90% of users start smoking cigarettes before age 18 as per the Centers for Disease Control.

Cigarette smoking among adults is at an all-time low of 14%, according to the most recent report from the Surgeon General. But 16 million Americans have a smoking-related disease. And you don't have to have already health consequences of getting stuck with higher life insurance rates. Simply being a smoker will usually push you to higher rates when you shop for life insurance.

term life insurance for ex and current smokers by state
term life insurance for ex and current smokers by state

Certain life insurance policies require a medical check-up. Certain policies such as the guaranteed issue type of life insurance don't require an exam and include no health requirements. Rates are determined by your gender, age and the coverage amount.

Many factors impact your eligibility for life insurance and your policy's cost, including tobacco use. When you apply for life insurance, you will be asked to disclose whether you smoke and, if so, what type of tobacco products you use. Because the mortality rate for smokers is roughly three times higher than non-smokers, you can expect to pay a much higher life insurance premium if you use tobacco. Here's what you need to know about getting life insurance if you currently use tobacco or have a smoking history.

Not all life insurance policies require a medical exam. Some policy types, such as guaranteed issue life insurance, require no exam and have no health questions. Rates are based on your age, gender, and the coverage amount.

is life insurance more expensive for smokers

Because the life insurer has no health information from you, these types of policies are among the most expensive you can buy. They also tend to offer only low coverage amounts, such as $5,000 to $25,000. You can still be better off buying a traditional life insurance policy, resigning to taking the medical exam, and paying smokers' rates.

No. If you're honest regarding smoking in the life insurance application, smoking cigarettes will not invalidate the Life insurance contract. It is essential, to be honest about your smoking history in your application and during your medical examination. Certain insurance companies will check for nicotine when you apply to determine if you're a smoker.

For example, you might get a new medical condition when stopping smoking, which could cause higher rates. Even more, you may die without having a plan in place, putting your family members in a difficult position.

term life insurance for ex and current smokers club
is life insurance more expensive for smokers

Check our other pages :

Frequently Asked Questions


Insurers insist on medical tests to detect regular smokers and determine the premiums for coverage. Traces of nicotine can be seen in your blood, urine, hair, and saliva. The length of time nicotine stays in your system depends on how often you smoke, age, and general health condition.


How do insurance companies find out if I smoke? Not telling an insurance company that you smoke or smoked when you apply for coverage can impact the final benefit. They will find out and use various ways to verify the medical information you provide: Medical exams and questionnaires.