Life insurance is a mortality product. Smoking directly effects mortality. The application requires you to answer truthfully regarding your smoking status. The life insurance company may also require a urine analysis that can detect cotinine the byproduct of nicotine. Any attempt to miss represent material fact on an application can lead to the denial of a claim and/or be construed as fraud.
If you take a life insurance policy that requires an exam, the exam will test for nicotine in the urine, blood, and/or saliva. They will ask about smoking on the application and if medical records are ordered, they will check those to see if there is a note that the patient smokes.
When you take a life insurance exam, the life insurance company can tell that you smoke by your blood and urine tests. If you do not take an exam, they will not have evidence of your tobacco use, unless they order medical records and it is noted in your medical records. However, they almost always ask whether you smoke on the application. You are expected to be truthful on the application for your policy to be a valid contract.
Yes, if the life insurance company does any type of a paramed exam, they will test you for nicotine. Whether they use a cheek swab, blood draw or urine sample, this is one of the top items tested. Typically smoker rates are charged two and half to three times the premiums of a non-tobacco user as it is proven to shorten one's life.
Here is something to keep in mind. Underwriters test for cotine not nicotine. Nicotine can leave the body within a couple of days for an occasional smoker. Cotine stays in the body's system for up to 14 days. For a heavy smoker, nicotine gum or patch user, it takes a longer period of time to cleanse the system of all bad chemicals.
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Here is something to keep in mind. Underwriters test for cotine not nicotine. Nicotine can leave the body within a couple of days for an occasional smoker. Cotine stays in the body's system for up to 14 days. For a heavy smoker, nicotine gum or patch user, it takes a longer period of time to cleanse the system of all bad chemicals.