Chicago Insurance Forum

Smoking is a health hazard so life insurance companies charge a higher premium if you smoke. Worse yet, a smoking-related illness may even prevent you from obtaining life insurance coverage at all.

If you do smoke, the best approach is to be truthful. Don't lie about your smoking habit just because you're afraid the insurance company will charge you more for insurance. Because a life insurance policy is a legal contract, lying on your application is fraud that could invalidate your policy.

How does an insurance company find out if you smoke and how much? In most cases, they start by simply asking you. Almost every application for life insurance contains questions about your health issues and lifestyle, including smoking. Your responses to any smoking-related questions will play a part in the company's decision about setting your life insurance premium.

Most life insurance applications will ask "Have you used a tobacco product in the last twelve months?" You'll need to answer about cigarettes, cigars or even chewing tobacco. Most importantly, you must state how often you use each tobacco product.

If you smoke several cigarettes or a pack a day, you are a smoker and should answer the questions completely and honestly. Even if you only have a cigarette once a month, most insurers still consider you a smoker.