what is considered a smoker for life insurance

term life insurance for ex and current smokers guide

If you are planning to quit today or recently quit smoking, an insurance policy with a term may be an option you should consider. When the policy expires, it could be many years between your last smoking. If you've been smoke-free over the prescribed amount of time (usually between 2 and 5 years) You can apply for a standard term life insurance policy and have a higher price for the term you choose as compared to if you had been a smoker.

It is important to shop around to find the top life insurance rates, regardless of whether you smoke or not. An independent insurance broker can assist you in navigating the market and obtain quotes from insurers who tend to be tobacco-free.

If you have purchased 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 the best cost. You can inquire with the life insurance company how the time you have to stop smoking in order before they can consider you to be a non-smoker.

If you're seeking motivation to quit smoking sooner rather than later, many insurance companies have the waiting period before when you have deemed a non-smoker. The wait time is typically at least one year. After you've completed the threshold, the rates may fall and then reach those of those who are "never-smoker" within a couple of years.

Shopping around is the key to finding the best life rates—whether you use nicotine or not—. An independent insurance agent can help you shop the market and get quotes from insurers that tend to be nicotine-friendly.

Another negative consequence of smoking cigarettes is the cost of life insurance premiums. Smokers pay four times the amount for the same life insurance policy as those who don't.

term life insurance for a smoker

The key is to shop around to find the most affordable life rates, whether you are a smoker or not. A professional insurance agent will assist you in navigating for quotes and compare rates from insurers who tend to be tobacco-free.

If you're a smoker, you have less a chance of receiving the lowest premium rate or a larger death benefit. However, there are many life insurance options for smokers. Make sure you know that the average price of life insurance coverage for smokers is higher than that of non-smokers with similar protection.

Be prepared for high life insurance rates if you're smoking. The rates for smoking are likely to double or triple for non-smokers. The rate of increase will differ based on gender, age, and the amount of coverage, but here are some examples of the average rate increases for a 20 year term life insurance policy of $500,000 policy.

term life insurance for a smoker
term life insurance for ex and current smokers zodd

term life insurance for ex and current smokers zodd

If you're classified as a smoker, you decrease your chance of obtaining the lowest premium rate or a greater death benefit. But there are some life insurance options that are for smokers. Make sure you know that the average price on life insurance for smokers is higher than that of non-smokers for similar protection.

If you're a smoker, do not give up on life insurance. No matter if you're trying to stop smoking, have already stopped, or are having trouble with your smoking habit, life insurance could contribute to your financial wellbeing.

A whole life insurance policy is designed to last your entire life. While real-life premiums will generally be higher than rates for a term life policy, this is especially true for smokers. That said, your premium will stay the same for as long as the policy is in force.

term life insurance for ex and current smokers jacket robe

If you're still not ready to stop smoking, you'll need to find the most suitable life insurance options for smokers. If you're a smoker but are otherwise in good health, you could have various alternatives for life insurance. If you're suffering from serious illnesses related to smoking, there may be choices, but you'll likely need to pay more for insurance or receive a lower death benefit.

If you're seeking motivation to quit smoking earlier rather than later, many insurance companies have a waiting period before you can be considered a non-smoker. The waiting time is typically at least one year. After you've completed the threshold the rates may decrease and even reach the rates of the "never-smoker" within a couple of years.

The key is to shop around to find the most affordable life rates, whether you are a smoker or not. An independent insurance broker can assist you in navigating the market and obtain quotes from insurance companies that are known to be tobacco-free.

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

Although you may need to shop around, you should be able to find a suitable policy. To help people who smoke and are looking for life insurance policies, we reviewed policy prices, coverage options and limits, and other features before making our top choices. Please continue reading to discover which companies made our list of the best life insurance for smokers.

Life expectancy is the base of life insurance premiums. Therefore, factors that affect the likelihood of "mortality," or life insurance expectation, are incorporated into quotes for life insurance.

And here's another unpleasant side effect of smoking: significantly more expensive life insurance rates. Smokers can pay nearly four times more for a life insurance policy than someone who doesn't smoke.

term life insurance for ex and current smokers green card

If you require assistance or have questions, speak with an agent who can assist you in finding the right policy for your needs.

Life expectancy is the basis for life insurance rates. So factors that impact your potential "mortality," or life insurance expectancy, are factored into life insurance quotes.

If you're a person who smokes, do not give up on life insurance. If you're looking to quit smoking, have quit smoking and are struggling with your smoking habits, the life insurance policy can be a significant factor in your financial wellbeing.

what is considered a smoker for life insurance
term life insurance for ex and current smokers green card

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.