While it’s true that being a smoker will impact the cost of your life insurance premium, and being a heavy smoker can even force you into really expensive no-exam types of policies, it is actually possible for smokers to obtain life insurance.
Interestingly, they type and frequency of your smoking habit can actually affect your rate. For example, a pack-a-day smoker is going to pay a lot, even if they don’t have to get the more expensive policy where medical questions aren’t asked, but someone who only smokes the occasional cigar (and by occasional, insurers mean no more than one a month), will likely not have any issues getting premium coverage, and the same is true for people who use smokeless tobacco in moderation.
What does this mean to you? If you’re a smoker looking for life insurance, be sure to ask about special programs for low-to-moderate smokers. Also? If you’re a smoker trying to kick the habit, being enrolled in a licensed program or under a doctor’s supervision could also help you get better life insurance rates.
Remember, you don’t ask if you don’t get – always ask your agent about special programs, rates, and circumstances.