You will be asked whether you smoke on the policy application. Also, you may need to submit to a medical exam which may include a urine and/or blood sample. These tests are designed to detect the presence of cotinine in your system. Smokers pay much higher premium rates.
If you lie about smoking on your application, and die during the policy contestability period, the insurance company can deny your claim.
Life insurance agents and underwriters do not have a crystal ball that reveals that you had a cigarette that morning. But they do all they can to find out if you are a smoker, and rely on your honesty for the rest. Blood tests, urine tests, swabs, questions on the application, phone interviews, doctor records ... nearly all policies use one or more of these methods to determine if you smoke. It's best to just fess up, and then if you quit, apply for a nonsmoker rate a year after you quit smoking.
That's an interesting question! Are you contemplating not being truthful? While you can probably get away with answering falsely on your application, you will certainly run into trouble if there are tests, or previous doctor visits on your record that list you as a smoker. ( They will do a check of every previous medical issue that you've had, along with your prescription history). You will also have problems if the cause of your death is listed as a smoking related issue. Wouldn't it just be better and own your smoking and be honest? If you want to really save money, drop the $6/pack habit ($2190/year at a pack a day)and the $12,345 per year associated health costs of smoking, and not the extra $120 or so you'd pay for insurance. I hope that helps, thanks for asking!
Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
A life insurance application contains a number or “representations.” One representation is the answer to the question, “Have you used tobacco products in the past two years?” If you lie on the application the company would have grounds to rescind the contract. If you apply for amounts of coverage above certain levels you might be required to submit blood or urine specimens. These tests can identify use of tobacco.
Agency Owner, The Thomas G Sheehan Agency, 27 Glen Road Sandy Hook, CT 06482
For the most part, when applying for Life Insurance, there are questions on the application that relate to smoking and the use, or past use, of tobacco products. IN addition, it is pretty common practice to include a paramedic review and visit and they may conduct an oral swab or be required to draw a blood sample and or urine specimen for lab analysis. If an attending physician's report is needed for underwriting, they will also be requested. The Life Insurance company will learn if you are a current tobacco user.
Owner, NTI Agency, Inc, Mooresville, North Carolina
Every Life Insurance company and application will ask if you are a smoker or a non smoker, which you as a applicant will answer. Most companies will require the agent to do a tobacco swab test at the time of application to assure accurate information is being received and reported by the agent. Many times the company will require a urine or blood test to be collected also. In addition they can request a copy of any doctors records.
I have know of policies that were cancelled and ever that did not pay at death because the truth was not given at the time of application. Smoking rates can be much higher, however the truth usually does come out in the reviews of the information collected.
Agent Owner, Gilmore Insurance Services, Marysville, Washington State
Will life insurance know if I smoke? Well, depending on how much coverage you purchase, if anyone else knows you smoke chances are they will too. First off, most insurance companies ask for an attending physicians statement and chart notes. So if you've told your doctor, you smoke. Second, many plans require labs so if you smoke it will show up in your labs.
And finally, some states have enacted laws that skip the two year contestability clause on life insurance when the applicant lies about smoking. These states view this as no contract was formed and won't let the carrier pay a reduced benefit. Just a return of premium.
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If you lie about smoking on your application, and die during the policy contestability period, the insurance company can deny your claim.
I have know of policies that were cancelled and ever that did not pay at death because the truth was not given at the time of application. Smoking rates can be much higher, however the truth usually does come out in the reviews of the information collected.
And finally, some states have enacted laws that skip the two year contestability clause on life insurance when the applicant lies about smoking. These states view this as no contract was formed and won't let the carrier pay a reduced benefit. Just a return of premium.