Vaping FAQs

is vaping viewed as tobacco for life insurance

by Dexter Sawayn PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Is vaping considered using tobacco on life insurance applications? Yes, most life insurance companies rate the usage of vaping and e-cigarettes the same way as regular tobacco users. If you vape, you will be classed as a smoker and receive the smoking life insurance rate.

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. Ready to shop for life insurance?Feb 10, 2022

Full Answer

Does vaping affect life insurance rates?

The facts vaping and 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.

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.

Is vaping considered smoking for insurance purposes?

Is vaping considered smoking for insurance purposes since they are lower in toxins than tradition tobacco cigarettes? The short answer is no.

Can you get life insurance if you smoke e-cigarettes?

There is currently one life insurance company offering their Standard Plus non-smoker rates to e-cigarette users with the stipulation that there’s been no “regular” cigarette use in the past 12 months. With that said, they allow you to be positive for nicotine or cotinine in your life insurance medical exam and still get these non-smoker rates.

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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 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.

Why were e-cigarettes created?

E-cigarettes were created to model the experience of smoking without the associated risks of smoking.

How to get the best life insurance rates?

The key to getting the best rates on a good policy is to research life insurance providers and to be completely honest in your application.

What happens when a life insurance company agrees to underwrite your policy?

When a life insurance company agrees to underwrite your policy, they’re taking a risk, even if you are in good health and averse to risky habits and hobbies.

What is e juice?

The liquid you vape, often referred to as e-juice, is composed of nicotine, glycerine, and propylene glycol, along with whatever flavor you choose.

Can you get a non smoker life insurance?

With that said, they allow you to be positive for nicotine or cotinine in your life insurance medical exam and still get these non-smoker rates.

Is vaping considered life insurance?

Vaping and e-cigarette use are technically considered high-risk life insurance but it is important to know that you have plenty of options to help you secure coverage.

Does life insurance give smoker rates?

Currently, every life insurance company on the market will give you “Smoker” rates even if you use an electronic cigarette, except for one company.

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.

How much does Policygenius save?

Policygenius saves you up to 40% by comparing the top-rated insurers in one place. Get Started. While you’ll probably pay more for life insurance if you vape, it’s partially because life insurance providers have limited information with which to assess the riskiness of your habit.

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.

Why is life insurance so expensive for smokers?

Life insurance for smokers is so much more expensive because this decrease in longevity is up to 10 years. Most insurance companies would consider this drop in longevity not only a significant risk, but also a huge liability concern.

What is the biggest misconception about vaping?

As would be expected, one of the greatest misconceptions about vaping and life insurance is the rate class you can be approved for.

Why Just One Insurance Carrier?

Aside from this specific carrier, for every other carrier the jury is still out for lack of hard evidence on whether long-term use of e-cigarettes causes the same decrease in life expectancy as with other tobacco products.

What to do if you cut back on vaping?

If you’ve cut back on your vaping habits or quit cold turkey, inform your agent immediately.

How long do you have to smoke to be eligible for non-smoker rates?

Some companies are more strict with their conditions, mandating no less than 2 years smoke-free before becoming eligible.

What happens if you don't disclose your illness to your insurance company?

Failing to disclose a habit or illness to secure better insurance rates is considered insurance fraud.

Is e-cigarette a tobacco product?

However, in 2016, the FDA determined that e-cigarettes, or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), are considered tobacco products and subject to federal regulation. This is why so many vapers experience smoker rates when it comes to life insurance coverage. Nonetheless, this is great news for e-cigarette users, ...

Do I Have To Tell My Provider I Smoke?

Many insurance applicants may be tempted to withhold the truth about their smoking and vaping habits because of how it impacts their premiums and coverage. However, honesty is the best policy for all tobacco users.

How E-Cigarettes Affect Life Insurance

Aside from potential long-term health consequences, one of the unintended effects of vaping is how it impacts your life insurance coverage. Luckily, most life insurance companies haven’t standardized the way they price their policies for vapers. This means that there may be some leeway on your policy, depending on what you smoke.

Policy Rates For Vapers

Regardless of which policy you end up choosing, your whole life or term life insurance rates are subject to a few considerations. This largely depends on your medical exam results and general tobacco use.

How Do I Improve My Policy Rates?

Smoking or vaping is one of the main things that can inflate your life insurance fees, but there are still ways to get the coverage and death benefit you need:

Conclusion

Vaping has become increasingly popular because of its reputation of being the “healthier alternative” to traditional cigarettes. Despite this, insurance providers tend to prince vapers’ policy rates similarly to smoker rates. However, there are alternatives and exceptions that every vaper can consider undertaking to achieve better premiums.

Can life insurance detect nicotine in urine?

For most life insurance carriers, you’ll find that the required medical exam to qualify for a policy can detect nicotine in your urine. This will most likely put you in the same boat as traditional cigarette smokers. Which means that the best non-smoker rate classes will probably not be in the cards if you’re vaping.

Does vaping smell like ashtray?

What we do know is that vaping has become increasingly popular. So while you probably won’t save big bucks on your life insurance anytime soon look on the bright side – you’ll no longer smell like an ashtray.

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