Life Insurance as a Smoker
Understanding Rates:
Tobacco users face noticeably higher premiums due to increased health risks, but affordable options absolutely exist if you know where to look. If you want to protect your family without overpaying, comparing life insurance quotes for smokers is the easiest way to find competitive pricing across top-rated carriers. Depending on your financial goals, you can look into temporary term life insurance, permanent whole life insurance, or flexible universal life insurance. Whether you use cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, or vapes, our independent agents can help you navigate underwriting—and even show you how to secure non-smoker rates if you plan to quit within three years.
Insider Tips
- Cigarettes: Non-smoker rates are possible if quitting within 3 years.
- Chewing Tobacco/Cigars: Some insurers offer non-smoker rates.
- Vaping: Rates vary, with some insurers treating vapers as non-smokers.
If you are a tobacco user, talk to our experienced agents, who can help you find affordable coverage. Schedule a free consultation and get a quote today.
Helpful Tip: Already quit? Let us show the best standard rates available for ex-smokers
How To Save Money On Life Insurance When You Use Tobacco Products
Types of Life Insurance for Smokers
1. Term Life Insurance
How it works: Provides coverage for a set period (10–40 years). Premiums are lower than permanent insurance but higher for smokers than non-smokers.
Pros: Cheapest option for smokers; flexible lengths; large death benefit for lower cost.
Cons: No cash value; rates jump if you renew after the term ends.
Best for: Smokers wanting affordable coverage during their working years.
Not needed for: Someone seeking lifelong coverage with cash value.
2. Whole Life Insurance
How it works: Permanent coverage with fixed premiums, cash value growth, and lifetime protection.
Pros: Cash value accumulation; guaranteed death benefit; level premiums.
Cons: Much higher cost for smokers; limited flexibility.
Best for: Smokers wanting guaranteed lifelong protection and estate planning.
Not needed for: Smokers on a tight budget who only need coverage for a limited time.
3. Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance
How it works: No health questions or exams—approval is automatic. Often limited to burial coverage.
Pros: Easy approval, even with smoking-related health issues.
Cons: Expensive for small coverage amounts; graded death benefit in the first two years.
Best for: Older smokers or those denied other policies.
Not needed for: Healthy smokers who qualify for traditional underwriting.
4. Simplified Issue Life Insurance
How it works: No medical exam, but health questions apply—faster approval than traditional policies.
Pros: Faster and easier to qualify; moderate pricing.
Cons: Smaller death benefits; higher cost per dollar of coverage.
Best for: Smokers with manageable health risks who want moderate coverage quickly.
Not needed for: Smokers who can pass a medical exam and qualify for lower rates.
5. Burial Insurance (Final Expense)
How it works: Small whole life policy to cover funeral and end-of-life costs.
Pros: Permanent coverage; easy to qualify; affordable for older smokers.
Cons: Limited coverage amounts; high cost per dollar of coverage.
Best for: Seniors who only need to cover final expenses.
Not needed for: Younger smokers who need income replacement for dependents.
How Smokers Can Pay Non-Smoker Life Insurance Rates (If You Quit in 3 Years)
Smokers looking for affordable life insurance face sky-high premiums, but there’s a unique solution: certain insurers offer non-smoker rates upfront, provided you quit tobacco within 3 years. If you succeed, you keep the low rates. If not, the policy reverts to smoker rates after a re-evaluation. This approach makes life insurance immediately affordable while motivating you to quit.
Who Needs It?
- Occasional Smokers: Those who want to quit but haven’t fully stopped yet.
- Marijuana or Vape Users: Many insurers classify occasional marijuana or vape users as smokers.
- Long-Term Smokers Ready to Quit: If you’ve been smoking for years but are committed to stopping, this is the perfect incentive.
- Budget-Conscious Smokers: Since smoker premiums are 2-4 times higher, getting non-smoker rates upfront provides instant savings.
Why You Need It
- Immediate Savings: You get lower, non-smoker premiums right away.
- Time to Quit: With up to 3 years to quit, you can work on breaking the habit without rushing.
- No Risk of Policy Lapse: Even if you don’t quit, you’ll still maintain coverage, just at smoker rates.
How It Works
- Apply with a Participating Insurer: Look for companies offering this 3-year non-smoker rate incentive.
- Get Non-Smoker Rates Immediately: Once approved, you start paying the lower rates right away.
- Quit Tobacco: You have 3 years to quit smoking or using tobacco.
- Re-Evaluation After 3 Years: At the 3-year mark, the insurer will re-test for nicotine use. If you’ve quit, you keep the non-smoker rates. If not, the policy adjusts to smoker rates.
- Stay Covered: Regardless of whether you quit or not, you maintain your life insurance coverage.
Why This Strategy Is Unique
Most smokers are forced to pay higher premiums from day one, with no chance of saving unless they quit before applying. This strategy allows you to pay less upfront, providing time to quit while enjoying the same low rates non-smokers get. It’s a win-win—either you quit and save long-term, or you still get coverage with a fair adjustment.
Can You Be Denied Life Insurance for Smoking?
Impact on Coverage: Smoking significantly impacts life insurance premiums. Heavy smoking, combined with underlying health conditions like heart disease or diabetes, increases the likelihood of being denied coverage.
Evaluation Process: Insurers may require a medical exam to assess smoking habits. Full disclosure is crucial to avoid policy cancellation.
How Different Tobacco Products Affect Rates
- Cigarette Smokers: Pay the highest rates due to proven health risks.
- Cigar Smokers: If you smoke cigars occasionally (1-2 times per month), some insurers may classify you as a non-smoker.
- Vaping & E-Cigarettes: Often classified as smokers, though some insurers may reconsider if there’s no nicotine in the vape.
- Chewing Tobacco & Nicotine Pouches: Many companies treat these as smoking, but some provide better rates than for cigarette smokers.
Getting Life Insurance as a Vaper or Cigar Smoker
For Vapers: Vapers can obtain life insurance, but they should expect higher premiums, similar to smokers. Term life insurance is often more affordable than whole-life policies. Honesty about vaping habits and improving overall health can lead to better rates.
For Cigar Smokers: Cigar smokers should consider insurers like AIG, Prudential, and Lincoln National, which offer competitive rates. The type of cigars, frequency of smoking, and overall health significantly influence premiums.
How We Can Help
At The Annuity Expert, we understand the challenges smokers and vapers face in securing affordable life insurance. Our 18 years of experience as an insurance agency, annuity broker, and retirement planner enable us to navigate these complexities effectively. We believe in finding the best solution at the lowest cost, ensuring you and your loved ones have financial security.
Compare Quotes to Find the Best Rate
Different insurers price smokers differently, so shopping around is crucial. Working with an independent broker can help you compare policies side by side.
Contact The Annuity Expert’s financial advisors and insurance agents for free quotes and expert guidance to find the best smoker-friendly life insurance policy.
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Questions From Our Readers
Who offers the best life insurance for smokers?
Banner Life, AIG, and Securian offer the best life insurance for smokers because of their higher maximum coverage levels, affordable rates, and solid financial ratings.
Can I get life insurance if I’m a smoker?
Yes, you can obtain life insurance even if you’re a smoker, though it’s usually at a higher cost. However, there are some opportunities to secure non-smoker rates.
How long after quitting smoking are you considered a non-smoker for life insurance?
The standard requirement is 12 months without any tobacco use.
Is vaping considered smoking?
In most instances, yes, vaping is categorized as smoking. However, some select providers offer non-smoker rates for vapers.
How do insurance companies know if you’re a smoker?
Insurance companies inquire about your smoking habits in the application, and you’re obligated to respond truthfully. Additionally, some companies may request a urine sample or access your medical records to verify tobacco use.
What’s the most affordable life insurance for a smoker?
Typically, the most cost-effective option is finding a company that offers non-smoker rates for tobacco users. If that’s not feasible, a term policy with smoker rates is usually the least expensive coverage option.
What qualifies someone as a smoker?
The use of any product containing tobacco qualifies one as a smoker. Some insurance providers may even classify marijuana usage as smoking.
Which term insurance is best for smokers?
Shorter-term periods are usually the most affordable, especially if you can’t find a policy that offers non-smoker rates for smokers.
Can insurance companies deny coverage for smokers?
Insurance companies won’t deny coverage solely based on tobacco use. However, if there are additional health concerns, such as diabetes or heart disease, tobacco use may be considered, as it can exacerbate these conditions.
How much does a million-dollar insurance policy cost for a smoker?
For a healthy 50-year-old male, a 20-year term policy with Preferred Tobacco rates is approximately $556 per month.
Is it possible to get non-smoker rates on life insurance if you chew tobacco?
Yes, in some cases. A few life insurance companies might offer you non-smoker rates if you’re willing to quit chewing tobacco within a few years after buying the policy. To confirm you’ve quit tobacco, you’ll need to take a second medical exam. Keep in mind that policies and their requirements can vary between companies.
What happens to life insurance if I start smoking?
If you start smoking after buying a policy, your premiums usually stay the same, but lying about it on an application may void your coverage.
How long does cotinine stay in your system for life insurance?
Cotinine, a nicotine byproduct, stays detectable in urine and blood for 1–3 weeks, sometimes longer for heavy users.