Not every life insurance company requires a drug test on every policy. Each provider has different underwriting criteria and rules. The policy size and your age at time of application determine the type of medical testing that may be required.
A small policy may be simplified issue: just answer a short list of medical questions. A very large policy will require lengthier questions, along with blood and stool samples.
Only policies that use medical underwriting will test you for drug use through a blood and/or urine test. Simplified issue policies do not order blood tests, but they usually do ask about drug use on your life insurance application. Guaranteed issue life insurance does not ask about drug use on your application, nor does it test for it. However, the minimum age for guaranteed issue life insurance is usually at least 40 years old.
If the drug use that you are referring to is marijuana, that generally is not a problem, if you apply with the right companies. Using marijuana after a recent DUI or after treatment for addiction is problematic. And of course, using cocaine, meth or heroin makes it difficult to get all but the most lenient (and therefore, most expensive) of life insurance policies.
Talk to a life insurance agency that you can trust to find out what type of policy is workable for you, at the lowest possible price. They are bound to privacy and no insurance company will see your name unless you actually apply for the policy.
President, The Firm of Steven H. Kobrin, LUTCF, 6-05 Saddle River Rd #103, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
A drug test can be your best friend when you apply for life insurance. If you smoke pot on a casual basis, and have been prequalified for non-smoker rates, then a clean drug test on your insurance exam will prove you are true to your word.
Let's suppose you used cocaine in the last year under highly exceptional circumstances, and your broker was able to get you underwriting leniency from a carrier. Their offer would be contingent upon a clean drug test now.
If you you still use drugs, then you should consider one of the simplified issue policies referenced above. The only problem is that the total amount of coverage for which you will qualify will be comparatively small. If you need more substantial coverage, then there is a small possibility an excess-market carrier will take you. These underwriting syndicates specialize in extreme risks.
Business Development Officer, T.D. McNeil Insurance Services, Fresno, California
Medical underwriting seems to be disappearing. Companies cannot justify the cost. When you buy a high amount of life insurance you can expect that the company will require a blood specimen. That would possibly detect drug use. Many insurers today are asking for a list of medications and based on that information they are able to formulate a good profile of you. If you are prescribed a drug that is associated with addictive behavior that could be a “red flag.”
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A small policy may be simplified issue: just answer a short list of medical questions. A very large policy will require lengthier questions, along with blood and stool samples.
If the drug use that you are referring to is marijuana, that generally is not a problem, if you apply with the right companies. Using marijuana after a recent DUI or after treatment for addiction is problematic. And of course, using cocaine, meth or heroin makes it difficult to get all but the most lenient (and therefore, most expensive) of life insurance policies.
Talk to a life insurance agency that you can trust to find out what type of policy is workable for you, at the lowest possible price. They are bound to privacy and no insurance company will see your name unless you actually apply for the policy.
Let's suppose you used cocaine in the last year under highly exceptional circumstances, and your broker was able to get you underwriting leniency from a carrier. Their offer would be contingent upon a clean drug test now.
If you you still use drugs, then you should consider one of the simplified issue policies referenced above. The only problem is that the total amount of coverage for which you will qualify will be comparatively small. If you need more substantial coverage, then there is a small possibility an excess-market carrier will take you. These underwriting syndicates specialize in extreme risks.