What should you know about life insurance for smokers?
Life insurance for smokers is still available, but it will generally cost more than it would for a non-smoker. This is because of the higher risk of death and disease associated with smoking.
Life insurance companies in the UK consider smoking and vaping a risk to your health. So, they’ll charge you more for your insurance compared to someone of equal age and health who doesn’t use nicotine products.
However, don't let that put you off applying. It’s still quite straightforward to get life insurance even if you smoke. After all, the Office for National Statistics says that around 5.3 million UK adults smoke and 5.4 million adults vape1. So, it makes sense for insurers to provide life insurance for smokers.
In this guide we explain how insurance companies define a smoker, how smoking affects the cost of your cover and what happens if you stop smoking.
How do insurers define a ‘smoker’ when applying for life insurance for smokers?
UK insurance companies use sophisticated underwriting systems to work out whether they can insure you and how much that will cost. When you apply for any life insurance you’ll be asked questions about your health and lifestyle. Including whether you smoke or vape.
If you’ve used any of the following products in the past 12 months, most insurance companies will define you as a ‘smoker’:
- tobacco
- nicotine
- nicotine replacement products
- electronic cigarettes or vapes
Insurance companies don’t tend to distinguish between whether you smoke two packs a day or have the occasional vape on a night out. The fact that you smoke or vape at all is enough to class you as a smoker.
When applying for life insurance for smokers don't be tempted to claim that you don't smoke. Insurance companies can request a medical report from your GP for any health conditions you have and if the GP tells them that you’re a smoker, this could invalidate your policy.
If you died and your family made a claim, and it came to light that you had been a smoker, the insurer may refuse to pay the insurance.
How do insurers treat vaping, e cigarettes, and nicotine replacement products?
All nicotine-based products, including vaping are treated in the same way as smoking. This is because the long-term effects of vaping are still not fully understood. So, insurers consider vaping, e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement products the same risk as smoking cigarettes and adjust your premium up accordingly.
However, if you use a non-nicotine based vape then they won't usually take this into account in pricing your cover.
What medical tests are required for life insurance for smokers?
An insurance company can ask you to take a saliva, urine or blood test to prove that you no longer smoke. The test looks for cotinine, which remains in your body after you’ve used a nicotine product. If cotinine is found, then it’s likely that you’ve used a nicotine product within the last five days or so.
The tests can be used to verify that you no longer smoke, but they can also be used when applying for large sums of cover or if you need a medical examination due to a pre-existing health condition.
Does smoking increase life insurance premiums?
The cost of your life insurance depends on several factors, such as:
- your age
- your chosen payout
- how long you want the policy in place
- your health and lifestyle
- where you live
But one of the main factors that will increase your premium is whether you smoke or vape.
Smoking is a known cause of serious diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and stroke. So, if you smoke, you’re at greater risk of becoming ill or dying from one of these diseases. When deciding how much your premium will be as a smoker, the insurer will consider:
- how many years you’ve smoked
- what nicotine products you use
- how frequently you smoke
- exercise and lifestyle
- if your health has already been affected by smoking
- what type of policy you take out
How much more does life insurance for smokers cost compared to non-smokers?
Smokers can expect to pay between 40% and 100% more than non-smokers of the same age, although this depends on individual circumstances. The older you are, the more you’ll usually pay compared to your non-smoking counterparts, sometimes twice as much. Your actual premium will also depend on your overall health, how much you smoke and the type of policy you take out.
However, with premiums potentially starting at £5.00 per month, even if you had to pay an extra 40% as a smoker, it’s still possible to get affordable cover. Terms and conditions apply. Get a quote.
Can quitting smoking lower life insurance rates over time?
Yes, there are a couple of ways that you can get lower life insurance rates if you give up smoking.
The first is to ask your insurance company to reclassify you as a non-smoker. However, insurance companies only classify you as a non-smoker if you’ve not smoked for 12 months. So, you’ll need to have given up for at least a year before you can get reclassified. Contact your insurer to find out how you can get reclassified. You may be asked to prove that you’ve stopped smoking by taking a cotinine test.
The second way is to cancel your existing policy and take out a new policy as a non-smoker. If you were much younger when you took out your original policy, you may find that the cost of your premium has still gone up as you’re now older. It’s a good idea to shop around for a new price before cancelling your existing policy.
What happens if you start smoking after you get life insurance?
If you start smoking after taking out life insurance, the insurer typically will not raise your premium, if it’s guaranteed under your policy. The price you agreed when you first took out the policy is the price you’ll pay throughout the duration of the policy.
However, you should check the terms and conditions of the policy as some insurers expect you to let them know if you start smoking. Failing to do so could mean your policy is invalid. And with any future life insurance policies you apply for, you’ll need to let the insurer know that you now smoke.
What types of life insurance for smokers are available?
There are several types of life insurance for smokers. The three main types are term life insurance, whole of life, and over 50s life insurance. Here’s how they compare.
| Term insurance | Whole of life insurance | Over 50s life insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Pays a tax-free lump sum if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness while the plan is in place. | Pays a tax-free lump sum when you die. |
Pays a tax-free lump sum when you die. Payout is generally lower than those from term or whole of life policies. |
| Length of plan | Fixed term (e.g., 5–40 years), ending before a maximum age (usually 90 years). | No fixed term – lasts for your entire life as long as premiums are paid. | No fixed term – lasts for your entire life as long as premiums are paid. |
| Medical questions | You’ll be asked about your health, lifestyle and smoker status. | You’ll be asked about your health, lifestyle and smoker status. | Some insurers don’t ask any medical questions. But they may still ask your smoker status. |
| Acceptance criteria for people who smoke | Generally accepted unless you have a smoking-related health condition. | Generally accepted unless you have a smoking-related health condition. | Guaranteed acceptance aged 50-80. |
| Cost for smokers | 40% to 100% higher cost than non-smoker of the same age. | 40% to 100% higher cost than non-smoker of the same age. | Usually, no difference in the cost of cover. |
| More information | Term life insurance | Whole of life insurance | Over 50s life insurance |
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change in future.
Which term life options are best for smokers?
Taking out term life insurance as a smoker means you’ll need to answer some extra questions about what and how much you smoke, and whether smoking has impacted your health. You can also expect to pay significantly more for cover than a non-smoker. However, the majority of smokers are still eligible for life insurance.
There are three term life options available for smokers. Which one is best for you depends on how you’d like your beneficiaries to use the lump sum. For example:
Decreasing term insurance. The amount of cover decreases as you go through the term of the policy. This can make it cheaper to buy than level and increasing term insurance. It’s often used to cover the cost of paying off a repayment mortgage.
Level term insurance. This insurance pays out a fixed amount for the duration of the policy. Useful for paying off an interest-only mortgage. Or providing for your family during the years they’re financially dependent on you.
Increasing term insurance. This is where the payout rises each year at a fixed rate or in line with inflation. This helps your cover keep track of the cost of living.
How does whole of life insurance compare for smokers?
Whole of life insurance is a type of life insurance that’s guaranteed to pay out whenever you die, as long as you keep paying your premiums. So, it offers cover for the whole of your life. Unlike term insurance it doesn’t have an end date. Once the plan is set up and your premiums are up to date, it will pay out to your beneficiaries when you die.
Because this insurance is guaranteed to payout, premiums can be quite expensive compared to term insurance. And as a smoker, the insurance company deems you to be more at risk of dying earlier than someone of the same age and health who doesn’t smoke. So, it’s very likely that your premiums will be much higher than an equivalent non-smoker for the same amount of cover.
Key takeaways
- When you apply for any life insurance you’ll be asked questions about your health and lifestyle, including whether you smoke or not.
- All nicotine-based products, including vaping are treated in the same way as smoking. The fact that you smoke or vape even occasionally is enough to class you as a smoker.
- Life insurance companies consider smoking and vaping a risk to your health. So, they’ll charge you more for your insurance compared to someone of equal age and health who doesn’t use nicotine products.
- Don't be tempted to claim that you don't smoke when you do. Insurance companies can request a medical report from your GP and if it comes to light that you’re a smoker, this could invalidate your policy.
Source
[1] Adult smoking habits in the UK, Office for National Statistics, 2022.
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