Term Insurance for Smokers

Yes, smokers can buy term insurance. However, since smoking increases health risks, insurers usually charge higher premiums for smokers compared to non-smokers. When applying, it's important to honestly declare your smoking habits, as any false information may lead to claim rejection later. Many insurers offer dedicated term plans for smokers, and you can use online platforms to compare quotes and choose the most suitable plan. 

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How Does Term Insurance Plan Work for Smokers?

If a policyholder has consumed tobacco in any form in the past 12 months, then he/she will be categorized as a smoker. In comparison to non-smokers, the premium rates of term insurance for smokers can be almost 30 to 40% higher. There have been various cases where the customers hide the details about their smoking habits from insurers just to save on the extra charge. However, if you are a smoker, then it is very important to inform the same to the insurer.

If the policy buyer provides false or incorrect information about his/her smoking habits, then the insurer can take the below actions against them:

  • The policy can be declared invalid or nullified

  • Charging the applicant with an insurance fraud

  • The plan benefits will be terminated by the insurer

Note: Know what is term insurance first and then buy a term plan for your loved ones.

one crore term plan
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Term Plans

₹1
Crore

Life Cover

@ Starting from ₹ 16/day+

₹50
LAKH

Life Cover

@ Starting from ₹ 8/day+

₹75
LAKH

Life Cover

@ Starting from ₹ 12/day+

What are the Best Term Insurance Plan for Smokers in India?

Here are some of the affordable and best term insurance plan for smokers in India offered by different insurance companies:

Term Insurance Company  Term Insurance Plan Entry Age Sum Assured
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance ICICI Pru iProtect Smart 18 – 65 years 50 Lacs – 20 Crores
HDFC Life Insurance HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Super 18 – 65 years 50 Lacs - 20 Crores
Axis Max Life Insurance Axis Max Smart Term Plan Plus 18 – 60 years 25 Lacs – 20 Crores
Tata AIA Life Insurance Tata AIA Sampoorna Raksha Promise 18 – 65 years 25 Lacs – No limit
Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Bajaj Allianz Life eTouch II 18 – 65 years 50 Lacs – No limit
Canara HSBC Life Insurance Canara HSBC Young Term Plan - Life Secure 18 – 45 years 25 Lacs – No limit
Digit Life Insurance Digit Glow Term Insurance 18 – 65 years  25 Lacs – 1 Crore
Kotak Life Insurance Kotak e-Term Insurance 18 – 65 years 51 Lacs - No limit
Edelweiss Life Insurance Edelweiss Life Zindagi Protect Plus 18 – 65 years 50 Lacs – No limit
Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance ABSLI DigiShield 18 - 65 years 30 Lacs – No limit
SBI Life Insurance SBI Life eShield Next 18 – 60 years 50 Lacs – No limit
Bandhan Life Insurance Bandhan Life iTerm Prime 18 – 65 years -

~Top 5 plans based on annualized premium for bookings made on https://www.policybazaar.com in the first 6 months of FY 24-25. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. The list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in

Note: Check out the best term insurance plan in India and choose one that suits your requirements.

Why Should Smokers Buy a Term Plan?

Smokers are generally at a higher risk of health issues, which increases the chances of an untimely death compared to non-smokers. That is why having a term insurance for smokers becomes even more important for them, to ensure their loved ones are financially protected in case something unexpected happens.

Many individuals try to hide their smoking habits while buying a policy, but this can lead to serious problems later. Term insurance medical tests are usually required before issuing a term plan, and they can easily detect nicotine use. If the insurer finds out about smoking after a claim is made, it could lead to delays or even rejection of the claim. Being honest about your health habits helps you get the right coverage and ensures your family’s peace of mind.

What Are the Types of Smokers As Per the Insurance Company?

All smokers don’t have the same smoking practices. This is the reason they have classified smokers into three types:

  • Typical Smoker: Smoker with some minor health problems

  • Table-rated Smoker: Individuals having some obvious health conditions owing to smoking.

  • Preferred Smoker: Individual who is a smoker but overall he/she is fit and in good health.

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What are the Eligibility Criteria for Term Insurance Plan for Smokers?

Term insurance for a smoker is largely different from the non-smoker. Here are some of the things that you should know before buying term insurance for a smoker:

Parameter Details
Minimum Entry Age 18 years
Maximum Entry Age 65 years
Minimum Policy Term 5 to 10 years
Maximum Policy Term 40 to (till 99/100) years
Sum Assured Minimum: ₹50 Lakhs
Maximum: ₹20 Crores
Premium Payment Frequency Monthly, Quarterly, Bi-annual, Annually
Eligibility Indian Citizens, NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs
Maturity Benefit Only in case of Term return of premium plans

Note: It is suggested to calculate the term plan premium on the term insurance calculator online tool by Policybazaar before buying.

Life Insurer Piller

Why Sum Assured is an Important Factor While Buying Term Insurance?

Selecting the right sum assured in your term insurance plan is vital for securing your family’s financial future. It acts as a safety net, offering you peace of mind during unforeseen events. A higher sum assured can help cover outstanding loans, education expenses, and income replacement for your loved ones. Choosing an appropriate amount ensures their needs are taken care of. To explore the right term life insurance options and determine the best sum assured for your goals, click the tabs below.

What Happens If You Do Not Inform the Insurance Company About Your Smoking Habits?

If you are a smoker, it is important to be honest about your habit when applying for a term or life insurance plan. Hiding this information may seem like a way to get lower premiums, but it can have serious consequences later, especially during claim settlement.

How Smoking Affects Term Insurance Claims

Smoking significantly impacts your health risk, which insurers consider while approving your policy and deciding the premium. If you fail to disclose your smoking habit and the insurer finds out, especially during a claim investigation, it could lead to term insurance claim rejection or a reduced payout. In some cases, it may even be treated as fraud.

Risks of Not Disclosing Smoking Habits

When a term insurance claim is filed, the insurer examines the cause of death. If it is linked to smoking-related illnesses, and this detail was not disclosed at the time of purchase, the insurer may deny the claim or reduce the death benefit. This puts your family at financial risk during a difficult time.

Policy Termination and Legal Consequences

If it is found that you withheld your smoking status, the insurer may terminate your term insurance for smokers policy or impose penalties such as increased premiums. In some cases, it may also lead to legal consequences.

Does Smoking Affect My Term Insurance Premium Rates?

Yes, smoking affects the term insurance premium rates. As we all know, smoking is injurious to health, so, how do life insurance companies look at this dangerous practice?

Generally, smokers are required to pay higher premium amounts than those individuals who do not smoke when they buy term insurance for smokers. The simple reason is that smokers have a greater mortality rate than non-smokers.

Let’s understand this with the help of an example:

If you are a healthy and non-smoking male of 30-year-old buy a term plan for a sum assured amount of Rs. 1 Crore. The premium amount paid for a 20 years term plan is above Rs. 700 for a month. Whereas for a smoker having the same age, the premium amount may go up to Rs. 900 pm.

Thus, smoking habits do affect your term insurance premium rates.

Note: You should also check the benefits of term life insurance if you are planning to purchase the term insurance plan.

FAQ's

  • Can smokers get term life insurance?

    Ans: Yes, smokers can get term insurance for smokers. However, the premiums will be higher than those for non-smokers due to increased health risks.
  • Can you get life insurance if you used to smoke?

    Ans: Yes. If you’ve quit smoking and have not smoked for at least 12 months, many insurers will consider you a non-smoker. However, you must honestly disclose your smoking history when buying a term life insurance.
  • How do you pass a smoking test for term insurance?

    Ans: The best way is to be honest during the application of term insurance for smokers. Insurers may conduct term insurance medical exams or nicotine tests to check if you smoke.
  • How do insurance companies know if someone is a smoker?

    Ans: Insurance companies conduct term insurance health check-ups and may include nicotine or cotinine tests to confirm smoking habits.
  • What if I quit smoking after buying term insurance?

    Ans: If you stop smoking after buying the policy, you can inform the insurer. Some insurers may review your status and reduce your premium after a certain smoke-free period.
  • Why is term insurance more expensive for smokers?

    Ans: Smokers are at a higher risk of health issues like cancer and heart disease. This increases the insurer’s risk, which is why the premiums for term insurance for smokers are higher.
  • Do smokers need more than one term insurance plan?

    Ans: No. You can buy multiple term insurance for smokers to ensure a large cover amount for your family in your absence. However, it is important to note that the premiums for all these plans will be higher than for non-smokers.
  • What if I lie about smoking in term insurance?

    Ans: If you hide your smoking habit, your claim can be rejected later, and the policy may be cancelled for non-disclosure.
  • Does smoking affect your life insurance?

    Ans: Yes, smoking increases your premium because it raises health risks. Not only that, it can cause other health issues that in turn further increase your premium rates.
  • Why term life insurance more expensive for smokers?

    Ans: Smokers are more likely to develop serious illnesses, so insurers charge higher premiums to cover the risk.

Term plan for smokers

˜Top plans are based on annualized premium, for bookings made through https://www.policybazaar.com in FY 25.

Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For a complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website, www.irdai.gov.in

+Rs. 487/month (Rs.16/day) is starting price for a 1 crore term life insurance for an 18 year-old male, non-smoker, with no pre-existing diseases, cover upto 38 years of age.

Prices offered by the insurer are as per the approved insurance plans | #All savings and online discounts are provided by insurers as per IRDAI approved insurance plans | Standard Terms and Conditions Apply | **Tax Benefits are subject to changes in tax laws.| Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited

We will respond in the first instance within 30 minutes of the customers contacting us. 30-minute claim support service is for the purpose of giving reasonable assistance to the policyholder in pursuance of the claim. Settlement of claim (including cashless claim) is the responsibility of the insurer as per policy terms and conditions. The 30-minute claim support is subject to our operations not being impacted by a system failure or force majeure event or for reasons beyond our control. For further details, 24x7 Claims Support Helpline can be reached out at 1800-258-5881

For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions, please read the sales brochure carefully before concluding a sale

Policybazaar Insurance Brokers Private Limited | CIN: U74999HR2014PTC053454 | Registered Office - Plot No.119, Sector - 44, Gurgaon, Haryana – 122001 | Registration No. 742, Valid till 09/06/2027, License category- Composite Broker Visitors are hereby informed that their information submitted on the website may be shared with insurers. Product information is authentic and solely based on the information received from the insurers.

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+Rs. 820/month is starting price for a 2 crore term life insurance for an (NRI) 18 year-old male, non-smoker, with no pre-existing diseases, cover upto 38 years of age.

+Rs. 1,443/month is starting price for a 5 crore term life insurance for an (NRI) 18 year-old male, non-smoker, with no pre-existing diseases, cover upto 38 years of age.

˜ Policybazaar Promise reflects the guarantee offered by insurers. Price assurance is based on certifications shared by insurers with us.



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