If the policy you are applying for requires a blood, urine, or saliva sample they will test for nicotine. On almost all life applications there is a question regarding tobacco use. If you lie on the application and live beyond two years, you could probably get away with it however keep in mind that lying on an application is insurance fraud. The best thing is to just stop smoking.
I tell all of my clients who use tobacco in any form on a regular basis to be honest. More times than not, they will find out, either through blood/urine analysis or through their doctor's report. Having done this for over 20 years, my experience is that you are better off telling a client up front that you are not going to try to "cover" for them to try to get them a better rate or to get their business. They have to bite the bullet, and if they quit for a year (sometimes longer depending on a companies' policy), then we can go through reconsideration to get them a better rate. I also try to place them with a carrier that is more favorable on reconsideration (i.e. 1 year versus longer). There are a handful of companies that will allow non-tobacco rates, even if you dip regularly.
Agent Owner, Gilmore Insurance Services, Marysville, Washington State
Can life insurance companies tell if you smoke? Usually they can. Either through lab testing or through medical history. Insurance companies use the Medical Information Bureau (MIB) which is much like a credit bureau in the sense that your history of medical care is stored there. A person should also be aware that some states have "waived" the two year contestability clause on life insurance when dealing with smoker fraud. My state will not allow payment of a death claim only a refund of premium paid if it is found an applicant lied on the application. The state feels no "contract" was made to begin with, so the contestability clause does not apply.
Co-Founder, TermInsuranceBrokers.com, Goldenzweig Financial Group, Las Vegas, Nevada
If you're applying for life insurance with a medical exam, one of the items they test for in the urine test is nicotine. If the presence of nicotine is there, whatever risk class they approve you at will also be based on tobacco user rates. However, there are a couple of carriers that will consider a non-smoker risk class for individuals who only use cigars and/or chewing tobacco.
Please note, even if you buy a non-medical policy and lie on the application about your tobacco usage, if you die in the first 2 years of the policy (the contestability period), and the insurance company discovers that you intentionally misrepresented the information cited on the application, they can refuse to pay out the death benefit to the policy's beneficiary and only give them the premiums that were paid into the policy.
I hope the information is helpful - please feel free to contact me for assistance with your coverage and if you have any further questions. Thanks very much.
Life insurance companies are not mind readers, but they do their very best to find out if you smoke. If you have a blood test, urine test, or swab, the presence of nicotine will show up in all those tests. If you have ever taken Chantix or other drugs to help you quit smoking, they will see that on your pharmacy record. If your medical records show that you smoke and you have a health condition that causes underwriters to order your medical records, the insurance company will take the word of what is written in your medical records.
President, Lane Independent Agency, Southern California
Yes, absolutely. Unless you get a guaranteed issue, small face amount, final expenses type policy, they will require a blood and urine test. Any nicotine in your system will show up for weeks. Your medical records will also reveal this. Either stop smoking, or be honest and pay the price. Thank you. GARY LANE.
Agent Owner, Gilmore Insurance Services, Marysville, Washington State
Can life insurance companies tell if you smoke? No and Yes and it may not matter... ;)
Depending on the application questions and background work an insurance company may not be able to tell if you smoke. If the application doesn't ask many health questions, you may not be saving any money as they have built the cost higher to compensate for fewer questions. Simple rule, more questions, more depth, better pricing.
To get the better pricing, you will be asked health questions, they will look at your health history and they will take current lab tests.
Another thing to consider if you're thinking of not disclosing smoking is the fact that in some states the office of the insurance commissioner declares the policy null and void at any point in the life of the policy. It is the exception to the two year contestability clause.
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Please note, even if you buy a non-medical policy and lie on the application about your tobacco usage, if you die in the first 2 years of the policy (the contestability period), and the insurance company discovers that you intentionally misrepresented the information cited on the application, they can refuse to pay out the death benefit to the policy's beneficiary and only give them the premiums that were paid into the policy.
I hope the information is helpful - please feel free to contact me for assistance with your coverage and if you have any further questions. Thanks very much.
Depending on the application questions and background work an insurance company may not be able to tell if you smoke. If the application doesn't ask many health questions, you may not be saving any money as they have built the cost higher to compensate for fewer questions. Simple rule, more questions, more depth, better pricing.
To get the better pricing, you will be asked health questions, they will look at your health history and they will take current lab tests.
Another thing to consider if you're thinking of not disclosing smoking is the fact that in some states the office of the insurance commissioner declares the policy null and void at any point in the life of the policy. It is the exception to the two year contestability clause.