Does Vaping And Casual Smoking Affect My Life Assurance Policy?

Many casual or social smokers would not consider themselves as real smokers. A casual smoker is someone who might have a sneaky cigarette when they have a drink on a night out. Does this classify them as official smokers? 

To themselves, maybe not, but in the eyes of an insurance company, this is viewed differently. The same could be said too for those who choose to vape rather than opting to smoke cigarettes.

Insurance companies do not hide the fact that smokers pay more for life assurance cover than non smokers do. A recent cost analysis from Royal London Ireland shows that there are big differences between what a smoker pays for life assurance versus what a non-smoker would pay.

"Although it’s generally anticipated that smokers will face higher premiums when it comes to life insurance, people are not always aware of the cumulative impact on the overall cost throughout the lifetime of the policy. For example, a smoker turning 45 on their upcoming birthday will pay over €18,000 more than a non-smoker for a €300,000 Level Term Life Cover over a 25 year term. A smoker with a 25 year Specified Serious Illness policy for €300,000, who turns 45 on their next birthday, can expect to pay over €68,000 more than a non-smoker”.

The cost savings are a huge motivational factor for anyone who is considering giving up smoking.

However there are grey areas when it comes to smoking which may not be as clear cut. This is in relation to vaping and casual smoking.

Are you classified as a smoker or a non smoker when it comes to insurance? As far as insurers are concerned it’s actually very black and white. If you vape or you’re a casual smoker, you are classified as a smoker.

In the event of death, and a claim in many cases an insurer will contact the bereaved person’s GP for clarification around a medical query. Consent for this is required when applying for the product. This could occur if the insurance company has a query in relation to the person’s death. They could have a question surrounding whether the death was connected to a condition which might not have been disclosed on their application form. This could also include details on whether the bereaved was a smoker.

The good news for ex-smokers is that you can decrease your life insurance premium if you have been off cigarettes for twelve months.

In order to be re classified as a non smoker you must have completely abstained from all nicotine and tobacco products during the past twelve months. This includes the use of e cigarettes, vapes, as well as nicotine replacement items such as nicotine patches, lozenges, sprays or chewing gum. 

If you have any queries in relation to smoking /vaping and their effects on your insurance policy, get in touch. We’d love to help

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