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Can smokers qualify for life insurance?
Yes! For the most part, smokers can qualify for life insurance.
It’s a common myth that smokers are unable to secure term life insurance, but most smokers in Canada can still apply and get approved. Applying for life insurance as a smoker can feel stressful, because smoking habits are often a factor in term life insurance rates.
Smoking doesn’t automatically prevent you from being eligible. You may just find yourself facing higher rates than if you weren’t a smoker. Smokers are often at higher risk of health issues, such as cancer, lung disease, and heart disease, which is why you’ll find it impacts premiums.
Even with higher rates, term life insurance still has great benefits for most Canadians.
How do insurers define a smoker and what products count?
Every insurer defines a smoker a little bit differently. Generally speaking, insurance companies are concerned with use of nicotine and tobacco as they’re tied to significant health risks in individuals.
But in today’s world, smoking often refers to more than just cigarettes. For many term life insurance companies, smoking includes the use of any nicotine and tobacco product over the last 12 months, including:
- Cigarette
- E-Cigarettes
- Pipes
- Chewing tobacco
- Vaporizers
- Nicotine gum
- Nicotine patches
- 13 or more cigars
It’s important to carefully review the terms of your specific term life insurance application to understand exactly what falls under the category of smoking.
Is cannabis use considered smoking?
Marijuana and cannabis are usually not considered smoking and are often treated separately when it comes to term life insurance. Cannabis users may have higher premiums than non-users, but it typically doesn’t impact rates the same way tobacco and nicotine do.
As with smoking, it’s important to be honest about your cannabis use on your term life insurance application. Any misrepresentations can have consequences and impact your coverage.
The impact of lying about smoking on your application
If there’s one thing you should take away from this guide, it’s that you need to be 100% truthful in your term life insurance application. It can feel tempting to adjust details to get a lower rate, but misrepresenting yourself on an insurance application can come with major consequences.
Lying on an insurance application is often treated as fraud. If you aren’t honest about your smoking habits and lifestyle, it can result in a rejected application, a cancelled policy, or even a denied claim—leaving you and your loved ones with no financial protection. In some cases, it can also make you uninsurable in the future.
For many term life insurance applications, a medical exam isn’t necessary. If one is requested, it’s crucial that the information from your blood test, urine sample, or medical records are consistent with the details on your application. Any discrepancies can lead to questions or delays in processing.
The best way to secure affordable term life insurance coverage as a smoker is to be completely truthful on your application. Even if your rates are higher today, there are still affordable options, and you can always reapply down the line if your habits change.
How smoking impacts life insurance costs and premiums
While smokers can often get term life insurance, you’ll likely find that smoking increases the costs and premiums of a term life insurance policy compared to a non-smoker.
When determining life insurance premiums—the rate you pay every month to keep your policy active—an insurer reviews a wide range of factors that weigh your risk of illness and death. This doesn’t just include smoking, but also includes your overall health, age, and lifestyle. Usually, the higher your risk, the higher your premiums. It’s why term life insurance rates tend to increase as you age.
Smoking is tied to many short and long-term health effects, which is why you’ll typically see higher term life insurance rates for smokers.
Here’s a comparison of industry average rates for smokers and non-smokers.
The impact smoking has on your premiums can vary significantly between insurers. Blue Cross Life offers some of the most affordable rates for smokers in Canada.
Here’s a chart comparing Blue Cross Life’s average monthly premiums for smokers to the industry average for $500,000 of coverage over 20 years.
Take the time to compare different policies to see which company offers the most competitive rates for your unique situation. You may also be able to combine discounts or other offers to make your premiums more affordable. For example, Blue Cross Life offers 10% savings in your first year when you purchase term life insurance as a couple, as well as $10,000 in free life insurance coverage for each of your children.
What happens to your life insurance premium if you quit smoking?
If you quit smoking for an extended period, you may be eligible for lower term life insurance premiums. Many insurance companies, including Blue Cross Life, require you to have quit smoking for over 12 months to be considered for a rate adjustment. You may be required to sign paperwork to confirm your new smoking habits, and some insurers may require medical tests to verify your change in status.
The exact process and eligibility depend on your insurance provider. Before purchasing a term life insurance policy, it can be helpful to ask your insurer what their process would be if you were to quit smoking. This way, you can make an informed decision about future changes to your policy while still securing term life insurance coverage in the meantime.
You may also be able to purchase a new policy and additional coverage at a lower, non-smoking rate if you quit smoking in the future.
Why smokers should still consider buying life insurance
Smokers should still consider buying term life insurance because it’s a powerful form of financial protection for your loved ones.
While rates may be higher for smokers, term life insurance coverage still works the same way it would for anyone else. In the event you pass away, your beneficiaries—usually your spouse, children, financial dependents, or other loved ones—can receive a tax-free, lump-sum payment to help them with the transition.
The payout, often referred to as a death benefit, can be used to cover expenses such as debts, childcare, funeral costs, lost income, or other living costs as your loved ones navigate life without you. It provides an invaluable financial cushion during a difficult time and in the years that follow.
How to apply for life insurance with Blue Cross Life
With Blue Cross Life, applying for term life insurance as a smoker is simple. You can get a quote and review your policy in just a few steps, all completely online.
- Get a term life insurance quote online: Answer a few short questions, choose your term length and coverage amount to get a free, no-obligation term life insurance policy quote in seconds.
- Find out if you’re approved right away: You’ll provide a few details about yourself, including whether you smoke, to complete your application. Many applicants are approved right away, but we’ll let you know if we need additional information.
- Secure your coverage: Review your terms, accept your policy, and make your first payment to start your coverage.
When you purchase Blue Cross Life Term Life Insurance, you also benefit from:
- Rates that never change throughout your term.
- 30-day grace period for any missed payments.
- A 10% discount on first-year premiums when you purchase as a couple.
- $10,000 in free life insurance for each of your dependent children.
- Free cancellation at any time, without fees or penalties.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.