Life Insurance for Vapers
It’s no secret that life insurance costs a lot more for smokers. But what about life insurance for vapers?
Can I get life insurance if I vape?
Yes, you can get life insurance if you vape.
However, life insurance providers will usually classify you as a smoker. The same applies if you use e-cigarettes, nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or other nicotine replacement products. Smokers pay a lot more for life insurance, so your premiums will also be significantly more expensive if you vape.
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Life Insurance Quote for Vapers
Is vaping the same as smoking for life insurance purposes?
Yes, life insurance providers usually consider that vaping is the same as smoking. Although there’s some evidence that vaping is less harmful to your health compared with smoking, insurance companies still don’t normally make a distinction between the two.
This means that vaping will affect your monthly premiums the same way that smoking would. Occasionally, insurers may distinguish between vaping and smoking if, for example, you’re using nicotine-free vapes. However, you’ll need to check with individual providers to find out about their specific underwriting criteria and classifications.
How will vaping affect my life insurance premiums?
As mentioned, vaping will increase your life insurance premiums substantially. But how much more will you pay if you vape?
Data from confused.com cites £30 as the average monthly premium for a current smoker.
On the other hand, the average premium for someone who has never smoked is £22, meaning that smokers and vapers pay about 36% more for insurance. However, many other reports claim that life insurance for smokers can cost up to double what a non-smoker would pay – possibly even more.
What if I vape only occasionally?
Even if you vape only occasionally, you’ll still usually be considered a smoker for insurance purposes. Many insurers don’t distinguish between everyday use and occasional use when they assess your smoking habits or your use of nicotine-replacement products.
To be classified as a non-smoker, you’ll usually need to have been completely nicotine-free for at least 12 months. This means you’ll qualify as a smoker if you’ve vaped at all during the last year.
Even if you meet the 12-month nicotine-free requirement, you may continue to pay higher premiums for some time. However, the exact amount you’ll pay will vary depending on the insurance provider – as will your smoking classification.
What if I’ve quit smoking?
If you’ve quit smoking cigarettes and are using vapes to wean yourself off nicotine, it could have benefits for your health. But the bad news is that insurers will still usually classify you as a smoker.
Nonetheless, if you’ve switched from cigarettes to vapes since taking out a life insurance policy, it’s worth contacting your provider to find out whether they will lower your premium, as some insurers may allow you to pay less after you’ve switched. As we’ve mentioned, if you’ve recently quit using all cigarettes and nicotine-replacement products, your smoking classification will vary among insurance providers.
For example, if you gave up vaping 12 months ago, you may be considered a previous smoker. Once you’ve passed the 12-month mark – or other benchmark specified by your provider – your life insurance premiums will often go down (although there might be a delay before the lower rate kicks in).
According to Confused.com, previous smokers pay £23-£26 on average for monthly life insurance premiums, compared with £22 for non-smokers. You may be able to qualify as a non-smoker after 5-10 years without using cigarettes or other nicotine products.
However, different providers will use different criteria and timelines for their classifications, so, again, you’ll need to check with individual providers to find out more about this.
Do you have to declare vaping on your life insurance?
Yes, you have to declare vaping on your life insurance the same way you would have to declare other smoking habits. Some life insurance companies will want you to complete a health check to prove that you don’t smoke.
This might include testing your blood or urine for nicotine and other substances. Some providers may also want to see medical records from your GP. Even if you don’t have to complete any checks like these, it’s still best to inform your insurer if you vape.
After you die, they will be able to request your medical records, if required. If you ticked the ‘non-smoker’ box on your life insurance, your policy might be invalidated if it turns out that you’ve been using vapes and failed to disclose this. If this happens, your insurer might refuse to pay out to your family, so, in this case, it definitely pays to be honest.
How to find the best life insurance for vapers
If you’re looking for the best life insurance for vapers, it’s a good idea to shop around to compare quotes. One way to do this is through online comparison software, like our quote system below.
Alternatively, you can consult an independent life insurance broker, who will be able to help you find the best providers for your health, lifestyle, and other personal requirements. If you use a life insurance broker, make sure you check that they’re FCA-regulated.
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