If you smoke, or maybe you’ve recently quit, you might be wondering how this could impact your life insurance options. Insurance companies will ask about smoking early in the application process because it plays a big role in how premiums are calculated.
Below, we’ll outline how insurers define smoking, how your smoking status affects your policy, and what’s included under “smoking,” such as vaping, nicotine products, and cannabis use.
Can you get life insurance if you smoke?
Yes. Smokers can still get life insurance.
When you apply for life insurance, some insurers will ask you some health and lifestyle questions. This helps them assess the risk of covering you and influences how much your monthly premiums will be.
Since smoking is well-known to cause a range of serious health issues, smokers generally face higher premiums than non-smokers.
How do life insurers know if you smoke?
Life insurance companies use a few different methods to determine if an applicant smokes.
These can include:
- Self-disclosure: When filling out your life insurance application, you’ll be asked if you currently smoke, vape, or have used nicotine products in the last 12 months
- Medical exams: For some policies, a medical exam will be required. These tests can detect cotinine – a by-product of nicotine – in your system
- Health records: Insurers may check records like Medicare or Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to verify your smoking status
Honesty is the best policy in your application. If you get caught lying, your policy could be cancelled, or your claim could be denied in the future.
What documents do I need to provide?
It’s important to have all the necessary paperwork ready to make the process as easy as possible.
Your insurer may look for any of the following:
- Death certificate (mandatory)
- Policy details or proof of coverage
- Medical records (if required) – your insurer will usually request them directly from the relevant doctor or hospital with permission from the beneficiary or next of kin
- Identification documents of the beneficiary and claimant
- Bank details of the beneficiary/estate
What if you start smoking after getting life insurance?
Once your policy is active, your premiums are based on your smoking status at the time you applied. If you start smoking after your policy begins, your current cover remains valid.
You don’t need to notify your insurer if you started smoking, as long as you were honest about your smoking status when you applied.
However, if you change your cover amount or need to reinstate a lapsed policy, your current smoking status will be taken into account, and this could affect your premiums.
Can you get life insurance if you use cannabis?
It depends. Some insurers in Australia classify cannabis users the same as nicotine smokers, which can mean higher premiums.
Other insurers take a case-by-case approach and will look at your overall health, how often you use cannabis, and whether you smoke it, vape it, or use other forms.
There isn’t one single rule that applies across all insurers.
Some are more cautious about cannabis use than others, so it’s best to disclose your use when you apply. This lets the insurer assess your situation accurately and prevents issues with your policy later on.
Is vaping classed as smoking?
Yes, vaping is generally classed as smoking by most Australian life insurers.
This is because insurers are primarily concerned with the health risks associated with nicotine and inhaled substances, not the delivery method. Regular nicotine vaping carries similar potential health risks to smoking, so insurers will often treat it the same way when assessing risk.
As a result, you can expect your premiums to be higher than for a non-smoker.
How long after quitting smoking are you classed as a non-smoker?
For most insurers, you’re considered a non-smoker or ex-smoker when you haven’t smoked or used nicotine products in the last 12 months.
If you’ve quit since taking out your life insurance and have reached the 12-month mark, you can usually request a premium review. This can help lower your costs and save you some money.
Why choose Direct Cover for your Life Insurance
Whether or not you’re a smoker, you can get life insurance designed to protect your family’s future with Direct Cover.
Reach out today and get your quote. Our friendly team is ready to help you find the right policy and answer any questions you may have.