Yes, life insurance does test for the byproduct of nicotine, called cotinine, in the urine and/or blood that is tested for a life insurance exam. Cotinine is a more reliable indicator of actually smoking a cigarette than nicotine is, as sometimes nicotine tests can detect second hand smoke.
With tobacco such as cigar or pipe, a very few companies will disregard cotinine in the blood or urine as long as it it disclosed on the application and there has been no cigarette usage in the past few years. Other than that, the insured person who tests positive for nicotine/cotinine will be rated as a Smoker.
With tobacco such as cigar or pipe, a very few companies will disregard cotinine in the blood or urine as long as it it disclosed on the application and there has been no cigarette usage in the past few years. Other than that, the insured person who tests positive for nicotine/cotinine will be rated as a Smoker.