It depends upon how much the face amount you are applying for and the underwriting method used for application. The are 3 basic ways nicotine is tested. All are collected by a paramed examiner or independent nurse who meets you to collect samples and health information.
1) Mouth swab used for lower face amounts
2) Urine test which is used for moderate face amounts or younger applicants.
3) Blood test which is used for larger face amounts and older applicants
Nicotine will show up in these tests for a few months. It is usually required in order to receive the non nicotine rate you must not have used tobacco, gum or patches for one year.
The savings in premiums is substantial for non tobacco.
That is a great question! On most simplified issue or final expense policies with low face values, there typically isn't a test. They will ask, and expect an honest answer. If you are not honest, expect the company to deny your claim, should your death result from a smoking related disease. For higher value policies, it is usually a swab or urine test. Thanks for asking!
Nicotine is tested in blood and/or urine samples by testing for a byproduct of nicotine called cotinine. Nonsmokers will have negligible amounts of cotinine in their urine (1-20 ng/mL) or blood (1-8 ng/mL).
Cotinine levels stay in the body longer than nicotine, and are less susceptible to being raised by secondhand smoke.
A few companies will offer nonsmoker rates for tobacco users other than cigarettes smokers (e.g. daily cigars) with negligible cotitine. Even fewer offer nontobacco rates if cotinine levels are higher but due to chewing tobacco, nicotine gum, e-cigarettes, etc. A broker that specializes in nicotine use can match you up with the company that gives you the best rate.
President, The Firm of Steven H. Kobrin, LUTCF, 6-05 Saddle River Rd #103, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Through a urine specimen. They are pretty reliable.
Interestingly, I once had a client who admitted to smoking on the application, but tested negative for nicotine on the urine sample. He was approved at non-smoker rates!
People often ask if secondhand smoke shows up. The answer is yes, it can. If you inhabit a very smoky environment day in and day out, and your body has pretty much reached its saturation point for nicotine, it very well could show up on your test. This is important to know.
Sometimes people ask, “what if I don’t admit to smoking on the application, and wait a while after my last cigarette so that I test negative?” Well, if the application asks you if you have smoked in the last 12 months and you say no, that is insurance fraud. If they audit your claim and find out you lied, they can deny the benefit even if you died for a reason unrelated to cigarettes.
.JPG){kind=avatar}
1) Mouth swab used for lower face amounts
2) Urine test which is used for moderate face amounts or younger applicants.
3) Blood test which is used for larger face amounts and older applicants
Nicotine will show up in these tests for a few months. It is usually required in order to receive the non nicotine rate you must not have used tobacco, gum or patches for one year.
The savings in premiums is substantial for non tobacco.
Cotinine levels stay in the body longer than nicotine, and are less susceptible to being raised by secondhand smoke.
A few companies will offer nonsmoker rates for tobacco users other than cigarettes smokers (e.g. daily cigars) with negligible cotitine. Even fewer offer nontobacco rates if cotinine levels are higher but due to chewing tobacco, nicotine gum, e-cigarettes, etc. A broker that specializes in nicotine use can match you up with the company that gives you the best rate.
Interestingly, I once had a client who admitted to smoking on the application, but tested negative for nicotine on the urine sample. He was approved at non-smoker rates!
People often ask if secondhand smoke shows up. The answer is yes, it can. If you inhabit a very smoky environment day in and day out, and your body has pretty much reached its saturation point for nicotine, it very well could show up on your test. This is important to know.
Sometimes people ask, “what if I don’t admit to smoking on the application, and wait a while after my last cigarette so that I test negative?” Well, if the application asks you if you have smoked in the last 12 months and you say no, that is insurance fraud. If they audit your claim and find out you lied, they can deny the benefit even if you died for a reason unrelated to cigarettes.
A word to the wise should be sufficient.