Whether you’re a regular smoker or use e-cigarettes occasionally, nicotine can impact your rates for life insurance. But what counts as nicotine use, and how can insurance companies actually tell if you’re a smoker?
When you apply for life insurance, one of the biggest factors insurers consider is your health, including whether you smoke. As a smoker, you’ll pay higher prices than a nonsmoker for coverage. The insurance company will ask about nicotine use during the application process. If you’re applying for life insurance that requires a medical exam, they may also perform a life insurance nicotine test to detect whether it’s in your system.
Here’s what to expect during the process and how to get the best rates as a tobacco user.
Why do life insurance companies test for nicotine use?
Life insurance companies screen for nicotine and ask about your smoking history to understand the risks involved in insuring you.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking or using other forms of nicotine puts you at greater risk for a long lineup of illnesses, including cancer, strokes, lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In the U.S., 480,000 people die each year as a result of smoking cigarettes, and another 41,000 die from secondhand smoke exposure. That amounts to 1 in every 5 deaths each year.
During the application process, life insurance companies look at anything that could impact your life expectancy. As a result, life insurance for tobacco users is usually more expensive. Beyond smoking cigarettes, other types of nicotine use can also affect your rates, including:
- Cigars
- Chewing tobacco
- Electronic cigarettes
- Nicotine patches or gum
How do life insurance companies test for nicotine?
A nicotine test for life insurance is a simple process. Here’s what to expect:
- You’ll answer questions about your tobacco use during your initial application for life insurance.
- If your policy includes a medical exam, the professional will ask questions about your health, including whether you smoke, chew tobacco, or use smokeless tobacco products.
- You’ll also take a urine and blood test during your exam, which detect levels of nicotine in your system. Nicotine and cotinine – a nicotine byproduct – can remain in your system for up to a month.
The life insurance company will specifically test for levels of nicotine in all forms. This test picks up nicotine from cigarettes, vaping, and any type of smokeless tobacco products. If the smoking cessation products you are using contain nicotine, such as patches or nicotine-based gums, that may show up on your life insurance medical examination, too.
How lying about smoking on life insurance applications can hurt you
When you apply for coverage, be upfront with your insurer. If you lie on your application and the insurance company finds out later, they may deny you coverage. Worse, the insurer could cancel your policy or decline to pay out your death benefit if the truth comes out after your coverage is in place.
So does smoking once you’re covered void a life insurance policy? Again, honesty is always best. As long as you’re truthful about whether you smoke when you apply, generally your coverage is secure. Keep in mind, though, that life insurance policies generally have a contestability period of up to two years after you buy coverage. During that time, the insurance company can question the accuracy of any information you shared on the application. If they discover you weren’t truthful about smoking and that tobacco use occurred before the application date, the insurer may rescind the policy.
How smokers can get better rates
If you’re a smoker, the best way to save on your life insurance rates is to give up tobacco permanently. Most insurance companies want to see that you’ve been smoke-free for at least a year before offering you nonsmoker prices. If you’re already covered, you can ask your insurer to re-evaluate your rates, which typically involves reapplying and taking another nicotine test.
Since different companies treat tobacco use differently, it also helps to compare options. For example, if you smoke the occasional cigar, some insurers will still offer you nonsmoker rates. Talk to an agent to explore the best options based on your lifestyle.
Still have questions about life insurance nicotine tests?
We’re here to help. Fidelity Life offers a wide variety of products to support people at every stage of life. Get your quote online today or call one of our agents at (855) 291-6365.
At Fidelity Life, our goal is to make life insurance simple, affordable, and understandable for everyday families. This content is intended for educational purposes only. Each post is carefully fact-checked, reviewed, and updated regularly to ensure the information is as relevant as possible.
