The Truth about Life Insurance & Smoking

Key takeaways

• Tobacco use is a factor insurers consider when assessing risk.
• Smoking status can influence life insurance premiums.
• Insurers may have specific criteria for classifying smokers and non-smokers.
• Your smoking history may be reviewed as part of the application process.
• Providing accurate information about tobacco use is important during underwriting.

If you’re a smoker, you may think you won’t qualify for life insurance coverage. But why should being a smoker preclude you from getting the life insurance you deserve?
 

At John Hancock, we believe everyone deserves access to affordable life insurance, whether they’re perfectly healthy, working on getting healthier, or even living with a chronic condition. That’s why we’re constantly innovating to provide people with life insurance products that help them live healthier every day.
 

In this article, we’ll delve into some commonly asked questions about life insurance for smokers.

1. Is life insurance more expensive if I’m a smoker?

Generally, life insurance premiums are higher for smokers. But fortunately, all of our life insurance products come with John Hancock’s one of a kind Vitality program. Vitality can help you save up to 15%¹ off your premium and offers cash back rewards for the everyday choices you make to live healthy. This includes things like working out, buying fresh produce, or participating in a smoking cessation program.

2. Do I have to disclose that I’m a smoker?

Life insurance is a partnership between the insurance company and the insured, each trusting the other to be honest and transparent. Additionally, there’s an insurance review process to uncover any inconsistencies. 

3. What qualifies someone as a “smoker”?

For insurance purposes, any type of tobacco, nicotine, or marijuana usage should be disclosed. This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, cigars, chewing tobacco, and nicotine replacement therapies like patches, lozenges and gums.²

4. How does a company determine I’m a smoker?

Insurance companies use multiple data sources to evaluate a potential customer. These might include the insurance application, a medical exam, pharmaceutical databases, medical records, past life and health insurance applications.³

In some cases, insurers may also review prescription histories or conduct lab tests as part of the underwriting process. This can include testing for nicotine or related substances to help verify tobacco use. Together, these steps help insurers to paint a clearer picture when assessing risk.

5. What if I quit smoking?

It’s a win-win! In addition to the health benefits, quitting smoking can also reduce your life insurance rates. After the second policy year (policy years 3+), if you have not used tobacco or nicotine for at least 12 months and have not had a significant change in health, you can request a rate reconsideration by undergoing reevaluation.⁴

 6. Are there specific life insurance plans designed for smokers?

While there may not be plans specifically designed only for smokers, many insurers offer coverage options that account for different risk profiles, including those who use tobacco.

7. How smokers could reduce their insurance costs

Smokers may have opportunities to lower life insurance costs over time by quitting smoking and requesting a rate reconsideration after being tobacco free for at least 12 months, depending on the policy and underwriting guidelines. Choosing term life insurance may also offer a more affordable starting point for coverage needs. Programs like John Hancock Vitality can help encourage healthy lifestyle habits, and applying at a younger age may help improve pricing options. Comparing coverage options and quotes can also help identify a policy that fits your goals and budget.

Conclusion

The real question isn’t whether smokers can qualify for life insurance, but how they can take steps to improve their options over time. From understanding how smoking impacts underwriting to exploring opportunities like quitting, there are ways to work toward more favorable outcomes.

Life insurance can play an important role in helping protect your family’s financial wellbeing. If you’re considering coverage, taking the time to review your options or speaking with a financial professional can be a helpful first step in finding an approach that aligns with your goals.

Sources:
 

¹ See details of the Vitality program at https://www.johnhancockinsurance.com/vitality-program.html
² Forbes: “What Smokers Should Know About Life Insurance” by Ashley Chorpenning, March 16, 2020 https://www.forbes.com/advisor/life-insurance/smokers/ (opens in a new tab)
³ Forbes: “What Smokers Should Know About Life Insurance” by Ashley Chorpenning, March 16, 2020 https://www.forbes.com/advisor/life-insurance/smokers/ (opens in a new tab)
⁴ During the level term period, excludes Simple Term and Final Expense Whole Life policies

Insurance products are issued by: John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), Boston, MA 02116 (not licensed in New York) and John Hancock Life Insurance Companyof New York, Valhalla, NY 10595.

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