Vaping FAQs

is vaping considered smoking for life insurance purposes

by Dr. Vivienne Jakubowski Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Is vaping considered smoking for insurance purposes? On the whole, yes. Most insurance providers will class vaping as the same as smoking. So, you could still invalidate your policy if you tick the ‘non-smoker’ box on your life insurance policy and it turns out you’ve been using e-cigarettes.

Insurers generally treat vaping the same as smoking when determining how much you'll pay for a policy. E-cigarette users can still buy life insurance, but they'll pay two to three times more for coverage than their non-smoking peers regardless of the substance.Feb 10, 2022

Full Answer

Is vaping considered to be smoking for insurance purposes?

Is vaping considered to be smoking for insurance purposes? On the whole, yes. Most insurance providers will class vaping as the same as smoking. So, you could still invalidate your policy if you tick the ‘non-smoker’ box on your life insurance policy and it turns out you’ve been using e-cigarettes.

Do vapers pay smoker rates for life insurance?

Most vapers are paying smoker rates for life insurance. They have no idea (or their insurance agent did not know) that they could have got a non-smoker rate. Unfortunately, they think that vaping will be viewed same as smoking cigarettes. So they apply for a life insurance policy with the wrong company and get a tobacco rate.

Can I get life insurance if I vape?

We are experts in vaping life insurance and understand all underwriting guidelines for companies that are okay with vape. We will help you secure the best non-tobacco rates on the market by matching your health and vaping habit with the insurance company that will view your profile the most favorable.

Can you get life insurance if you have not smoked cigarettes?

Not Smoked Cigarettes in the Last 365 Days: To qualify for a non-tobacco rate, you cannot have smoked cigarettes in the last year. The life insurance company will ask this question and will not offer you this rate if you have been a cigarette smoker in the last year.

Is e-cigarette the same as traditional cigarettes?

Does insurance raise premiums for vaping?

Is Vaping Considered Smoking for Insurance Purposes?

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What qualifies as a smoker for life insurance?

Life insurance companies may categorize you as a smoker if you smoke cigarettes or cigars, vape tobacco or marijuana, or chew tobacco, even if only on occasion.

Does vaping class as smoking?

On the whole, yes. Most insurance providers will class vaping as the same as smoking.

Is vaping really worse than smoking?

1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.

Do insurance companies check if you smoke?

Insurance companies may ask for medical information when an application is made. If you do become ill and need to claim, your medical records could soon make it clear that you're a smoker, the result could be a significant reduction in any cash pay-out, or even your policy being declared invalid.

How many puffs of a vape is equal to a cigarette?

10 puffsTypically, manufacturers advise that 10 puffs on your vape are about the same as 10 puffs on your cigarette. They further speculate that 10 puffs are all you take on one cigarette. Of course, this varies based on how big your puffs are, how strong your vape device is, and how much nicotine you are using.

How many cigarettes are in a vape?

The basics of vaping and nicotine amount in Disposable Vapes A disposable vape with a 2ml tank (the legal max size in the UK) with a 20mg nicotine or Nic Salt, contains 40mg of nicotine in the entire disposable (2ml x 20mg). This is why most disposables are suggested to be the equivalent of a pack of 20 cigarettes.

How much nicotine is in a vape compared to a cigarette?

An average tank uses about 3ml of eliquid, if you vaped the whole tank in one session you would be consuming around 36mg of nicotine, which is the equivalent of around 4 average strength (8mg nicotine) cigarettes. This is a crude comparison though, as there are many variables included.

How many cigarettes are in a disposable vape?

A disposable vape arrives from the factory fully charged and filled with e-liquid. Typically, it'll last for about 200-400 puffs – or about the same number of puffs as 1-2 packs of cigarettes – before the battery dies or the device runs out of vape juice.

When should I tell my insurance provider I have given up smoking?

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What if I don’t tell an insurance provider that I smoke or vape?

Failing to inform your insurance provider that you smoke or vape is classed as ‘material misrepresentation’.

How does smoking affect life insurance?

Regardless of your age or whether you’ve been a short-term or long-term smoker, being classed as a smoker will make a big difference to how much you pay for life insurance.#N#Statistically, smokers are more at risk of suffering from ill health or dying at a younger age, which means life insurance providers are more likely to have to pay out on a claim. That explains why you’re charged a higher premium if you’re a smoker.#N#It’s estimated that for a 30-year-old smoker, premiums will be around a third higher, while for a 50-year-old it could be up to double the cost of non-smokers of the same age.#N#When working out how much to charge you for life insurance, providers will look at: 1 What you smoke (for example, cigarettes, pipe, e-cigarettes) 2 How many years you’ve smoked 3 Your overall lifestyle and physical fitness 4 If your health has already been affected by smoking

How long do you have to quit smoking before you can take out a non-smoking policy?

Usually, insurance providers will need you to have quit smoking for at least 12 months before they’ll class you as a non-smoker, but check with your provider first. Once you’ve let them know about your new status, you may need to have a medical test and provide a doctor’s report before you can take out a non-smoking policy.

How many people smoke in the UK?

You’re still a smoker as far as an insurance provider is concerned. Around 6.9 million adults in the UK smoke, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

How long do you have to be off nicotine?

Typically you’ll need to have been off all nicotine products for at least 12 months, before you qualify for any cheaper rates. Before offering you a cheaper premium, your provider might want to see evidence that you’ve quit the habit for good.

Can you get life insurance if you are a smoker?

When you apply for life insurance cover, you’ll be asked if you’re a smoker or have ever smoked. You might need to take a medical exam, which will test for a variety of things including nicotine in your system. Your insurance provider may also ask your GP for your medical records (with your consent), which may identify you as a smoker.

Does quitting smoking reduce life insurance premiums?

As well as making you healthier, quitting smoking can reduce the cost of life insurance premiums. But you won’t be able to amend smoking terms midway through your policy, which means you’ll need to take out a new policy instead.

What if I’m using vaping to stop smoking?

Even if you’re using vaping as a smoking cessation tool, it won’t lead to a lower rate.

How many people died from vaping?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there have been 52 deaths and 2,409 cases of hospitalization due to vaping or e-cigarette-related lung injuries. As the health effects of vaping become more well known, the practice will have more of an impact on life insurance coverage and rates.

How long do you have to quit smoking to get a better insurance rate?

To potentially qualify for a better insurance rate, you'll need to quit smoking or vaping for at least 12 months. After this, you can ask your insurer to review your rate and see if they can reclassify you, Campbell says.

Is vaping a good alternative to smoking?

Vaping has become a more common alternative to smoking, but life insurance companies often don't distinguish between the two.

Is vaping the same as smoking?

Frank Campbell, a chartered life underwriter and licensed life & disability analyst with more than 30 years of industry experience, says most, if not all, life insurance carriers treat vaping the same as smoking.

Do you have to have a medical exam to get a life insurance policy?

If you apply for life insurance and don't qualify for traditional coverage, a guaranteed issue policy may be your only other option. Guaranteed issue insurance doesn't require a medical exam. However, premiums are higher and coverage amounts are lower. These policies also feature a "graded death benefit.” A graded death benefit means your beneficiaries will receive a reduced death benefit if you die within the first one or two years of the policy.

Do you have to have a blood test to get life insurance?

As part of the life insurance application process, a life insurance company will ask about your health history and lifestyle habits. You'll additionally have to undergo a medical exam and provide a urine or blood sample. The blood test can identify nicotine and other substances in your body. This means that you'll have to pay higher life insurance rates than a non-smoker if you smoke or vape.

How much does a non tobacco vape save?

In situations where this man will not qualify for the very best smoking rates, the non-tobacco vape premiums will be over $800 less per year!

How does Dipsurance help vapers?

Dipsurance helps vapers save over 50% on life insurance by providing free quotes from top-rated insurance companies that will give you a non-tobacco health rating.

Can you get a non tobacco rate if you have not smoked cigarettes in the last year?

Not Smoked Cigarettes in the Last 365 Days: To qualify for a non-tobacco rate, you cannot have smoked cigarettes in the last year. The life insurance company will ask this question and will not offer you this rate if you have been a cigarette smoker in the last year.

Is a smoker considered a smoker for life insurance?

If you’ve skimmed to this point: just know that most companies will consider you the same as a cigarette smoker for life insurance purposes in 2017. This means that you will qualify for a tobacco rating that is based on your overall health.

Can you get standard plus non tobacco insurance?

This means that they view vaping in a much favorable way than cigarette smoking. As long as you admit to vaping on the term insurance application and haven’t smo ke a cigarette in a year you can qualify for up to a Standard Plus Non-Tobacco rate when buying a buying a policy online.

Do vapers pay for life insurance?

Most vapers are paying smoker rates for life insurance.

Is vaping a non-tobacco health classification?

They will offer both men and women who vape a non-tobacco health classification when purchasing coverage.

What about Marijuana?

For the purposes of a health insurance rating, insurance companies view marijuana smokers the same way that they view tobacco smokers, even if you “vape” your marijuana. Unfortunately, vaping or smoking THC or marijuana based compounds will lead to more expensive life insurance even if you are otherwise healthy and the rate of use is infrequent. Beware, most insurance companies will test for THC during the medical exam.

Is vaping better than smoking?

Whether you believe that vaping is better for you than smoking, insurance companies will still charge you a considerably higher rate in order to obtain life insurance. As mentioned earlier, this is due to the lack of research and understanding of long-term effects of using e-cigarettes, in which life insurance companies do not want to take a chance on nonsmoker prices for people who vape. Life insurance classify e-cigs as a tobacco device, even when e-juice does not contain any tobacco. While these are not the same as cigarettes, they could still have the same effects down the road, in which your life insurance company will classify you as a smoker.

How long do you have to quit vaping before you can get life insurance?

If you want to avoid being classified as a smoker and keep your premiums low, you’ll need to quit vaping long before you apply for life insurance. Most insurers want to see that you haven’t vaped for a specific timespan — usually 12 months but potentially as long as five years — before they’ll offer you a more favorable health classification.

Why do people switch to e-cigarettes?

Many smokers switch to e-cigarettes because they believe it’s healthier to vape than to inhale tobacco smoke. E-cig users who previously smoked cigarettes may feel healthier, reporting that they have a greater lung capacity and less irritated sinuses. However, recent research on vaping is limited and the jury is still out on its health effects, which means life insurance companies remain cautious about insuring vape users.

What does underwriting mean when applying for life insurance?

When you apply for life insurance, the insurance company will use the underwriting process to determine the risk of insuring you and set your premiums. The healthier you are and the less complicated your family medical history, the lower your premiums will be.

Do vapers get life insurance?

Vapers usually receive the same premiums and health classifications as smokers. Smokers pay two to four times more for life insurance than non-smokers. Some insurers may consider non-smoker premiums if your vaping is nicotine- and cannabis-free. Concealing a vaping habit can cause an insurer to deny coverage or cancel your policy.

Can you get life insurance for vaping?

Yes. Most life insurance providers treat e-cigarette users like smokers, so you’ll be given a costlier smoker health rating unless you quit vaping for 12 months or more or don’t use your vape for nicotine products.

Is vaping considered life insurance?

Life insurance for vapers. Most providers consider vaping the same as smoking for life insurance purposes, with a couple of exceptions. We broke down how vaping affects your premiums.

Should you disclose e-cig use to your provider?

You should disclose e-cig use to your provider. The life insurance medical exam includes a test for nicotine and cannabis that would reveal your habit, and if you’re caught in a lie your insurer could cancel your policy or deny the death benefit to your beneficiaries. Amanda Shih. Life Insurance Expert.

How long does it take to get a premium if you stop smoking?

Some insurers will reduce the premium after only 12 months as a non-smoker, but many will still charge you higher premiums for up to five years after you stop smoking or using nicotine. It really depends on your circumstances.

How long does it take for a smoker to reduce the risk of heart attack?

Well, they're more considerable than you might think. In fact, according to the NHS, a smoker's excess risk of a heart attack reduces by half after only 12 months of being nicotine-free.

Is vaping the same as smoking when it comes to life insurance?

Most insurers consider vaping (as well as chewing nicotine gum or using a nicotine patch) to be the same as smoking. So the effect on premiums is likely to be the same as described above.

Is a smoker's premium higher than a non smoker?

In a nutshell, if you are a smoker your premium is likely to be higher than a non-smoker.

Is the jury still out on vaping?

This could change in the future – the jury is still out on the long term effects of vaping – but , for now at least, insurers are proceeding with caution. Insurers may have different interpretations of what constitutes a smoker (or vaper), so it is always worth checking before you apply.

Does insurance know about smoking?

We know that smoking invites health concerns, and insurance companies know it too. Like your parents and your doctor, they see smoking as a significant health risk.

Is joint life insurance cheaper than two single policies?

And doing so can provide a healthy boost to your wallet. If you're in a couple, you may also wish to consider joint life insurance (which can be cheaper than two single policies, but only pays out once).

How do life insurance companies test for smoking?

An insurance company may ask you to take a cotinine test, which is a saliva swab that is able to test for cotinine (an alkaloid found in tobacco, the predominant metabolite of nicotine). It is likely you will only be asked to take a test if you have either indicated that you have given up smoking or if you are applying for a large amount of life cover.

How long do you have to be a non smoker to be covered by insurance?

If you have not used any tobacco products, nicotine replacement products or e-cigarettes for 12 months, then you are considered as a non-smoker for most insurers

What are the factors that affect the cost of life insurance?

There are many factors that can affect the cost of life insurance premiums and it probably won't come as a shock to reveal that the two biggest contributors to the cost are the amount that you are applying for and the age at which you apply.

Do electronic cigarettes show up on a cotinine test?

Electronic cigarettes will often show up on a cotinine test, especially if they are nicotine-based. Life insurance companies will specifically ask if you have smoked tobacco products or used nicotine replacements or e-cigarettes and so you need to make sure that you are honest when you apply.

Does life insurance cover vaping?

It depends. Some life insurance companies treat vaping as smoking (and so your premium will be the same as someone who smokes cigarettes). Some life insurance companies will ask whether the e-cigarettes you use contain nicotine, and if they don't you will either be treated as a non-smoker or receive a smaller increase than if you smoked. Later in this article we give you some tips on how to get the best and cheapest life cover if you smoke or vape.

Does life insurance charge the same premium for vaping?

Many life insurance companies will charge the same premium whether someone vapes or smokes a cigarette but there are a few insurance companies who are starting to change their view, charging those who vape less than those who smoke. There is even an insurance company that specialises in insurance for those who smoke or vape ...

Does insurance increase if you smoke a cigar?

There are harsher penalties for those that smoke heavily, but broadly speaking everyone that smokes is hit with the same increase. It doesn't just stop with cigarettes, insurance companies will often apply the same increase if you use an electronic cigarette (e-cig) or even just puff on the occasional cigar.

Is e-cigarette the same as traditional cigarettes?

Based on the FDA’s definition, traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes are in the same category. Insurance companies also take that into consideration and treat you the same as traditional smokers. This typically translates into you receiving higher insurance rates than non-smokers for your health and life insurance policies.

Does insurance raise premiums for vaping?

Although most insurance companies will raise your insurance premium regardless of if you are smoking or vaping, there are some carriers that provide rate relief for vaping. Check your state insurance department to find out which carriers view vaping favorably. EINSURANCE.com is an online insurance comparison website.

Is Vaping Considered Smoking for Insurance Purposes?

However, some studies show that smokers who use them are actually less likely to quit. Hence the question: is vaping considered smoking for insurance purposes, given electronic alternatives contain lower toxins than traditional tobacco cigarettes?

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