I smoke but I’m trying to quit. What happens if I don’t disclose to an insurance company that I use tobacco? | KFF (2024)

FAQs

I smoke but I’m trying to quit. What happens if I don’t disclose to an insurance company that I use tobacco? | KFF? ›

What happens if I don't disclose to an insurance company that I use tobacco? If you report inaccurate or false information about your tobacco use on an application, an insurer is allowed to retroactively impose the tobacco surcharge to the beginning of the plan year.

Don't do it. If you're not honest about tobacco, you risk being charged with insurance fraud.

How do life insurance companies know if I smoke? Most life insurance policies require a physical exam before your policy is written. You'll be given a nicotine test to confirm your tobacco usage details.

The truth is, if you start smoking after your life insurance has been approved and issued, it'll be difficult for your life insurance company to discover your newfound habit in order to increase your rates to match the risk.

It is possible for a life insurer to deny a claim for smoking. If the policyholder lied on their application and said they were a nonsmoker, and the insurer later finds out that this is untrue, it has grounds to cancel the policy or deny paying the death benefit to beneficiaries.

What happens if I don't disclose to an insurance company that I use tobacco? If you report inaccurate or false information about your tobacco use on an application, an insurer is allowed to retroactively impose the tobacco surcharge to the beginning of the plan year.

Even if you haven't declared that you're a smoker, the answers you provide about your health can indicate to your insurer that you use tobacco. To be sure, sometimes insurers will ask for a urine or saliva sample to test for traces of nicotine and they may also check with your GP about your medical history.

It's important to be truthful about your smoking history on your application and during your medical exam. Some insurance companies may test for nicotine during the application process to check if you're a smoker.

If you do decide that quitting smoking is right for you and would like to apply for non-smoker life insurance, there are certain steps that must be taken to qualify for these lower rates: Avoid nicotine products, including vaping and smoking-cessation products, for at least 12 months before application submission.

People also process nicotine differently depending on their genetics. Generally, nicotine will leave your blood within 1 to 3 days after you stop using tobacco, and cotinine will be gone after 1 to 10 days. Neither nicotine nor cotinine will be detectable in your urine after 3 to 4 days of stopping tobacco products.

How do insurance companies define smoking? ›

Standard nonsmoker: people of average health who don't smoke cigarettes. Preferred smoker: cigarette smokers or people who have used tobacco or nicotine products within the last 12 months. Standard smoker: frequent cigarette smokers in average health.

Life insurance companies weigh health risks such as smoking when setting premium rates, and smokers typically pay higher premiums than non-smokers due to an increased health risk.

Health insurers cannot outright deny coverage to smokers, but they can charge them higher premiums than non-smokers. The Affordable Care Act allows insurance companies to charge smokers up to 50% more for premiums.

Can I be charged more because I smoke? Yes, in most states you can. Insurers are allowed to increase premiums by up to 50% more for people who use tobacco, although many insurers apply a lower surcharge for tobacco use.

It may seem like a harmless way to avoid a lecture, but your doctor needs to know if you smoke. It can interfere with certain drugs, and might help explain symptoms you may have. And they may be able to help you kick the habit for good, through therapy or medication.

The fewer health conditions and risk factors you have, the less you'll pay for life insurance. Most insurers classify e-cig use as tobacco use because vape juice often contains nicotine, which insurers test for using a medical exam. Tobacco users receive a separate health classification.