2024 Burial Insurance for Smokers [Ex and Current]
last updated on March 26, 2024Buying burial insurance for smokers, ex, and current smokers is easy. In fact, you won’t have to undergo a medical exam to apply for coverage. Additionally, there’s no need to provide a doctor’s record.
Depending on what type of tobacco products you use and the frequency of use, we will get you the best burial, cremation, or life insurance rates.
In this article, we will discuss how life insurance companies underwrite people who use tobacco or nicotine products and how you can get the most affordable plan.
FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:
- What Is My Best Insurance Option If I Have a History of Smoking?
- What Types of Burial Insurance Should I Avoid?
- What Type of Burial Insurance Is Best?
- If I’m a Smoker, Do I Need a Medical Exam to Qualify for Burial Insurance?
- Burial Insurance Underwriting If You’re a Smoker
- How Much Insurance Do I Need If I’m Smoker?
- How Should I Pay My Premiums?
- Smoking and Burial Insurance Riders
- Why Do Tobacco Users and Smokers Pay More for Life Insurance?
- How Much More Do You Have to Pay If You’re a Smoker?
- Benefits of Burial & Funeral Insurance
- Other Common Uses for Final Expense Life Insurance for Smoker
- How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
- Additional Questions & Answers On Burial Insurance For Smokers
What Is My Best Insurance Option If I Have A History Of Smoking?
CIGARETTES
Cigarettes are the most commonly used form of tobacco today. Smoking cigarettes is highly addicting and has harmful long-term health effects. It also carries the highest health risk among tobacco products on the market.
Most insurance companies will ask if you’ve ever used cigarettes in the last 12 months. You need to answer the health question about smoking honestly. If you answer “no” to the smoking question, you may be guilty of committing insurance fraud, even if you only had one cigarette in the past year.
Because of the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes, no insurance companies will issue a nonsmoker rate to cigarette users.
Most insurance companies will require you to quit smoking cigarettes for at least 12 months before considering you a nonsmoker and decreasing your rate.
Best Option: First-day coverage plan with Smoker Rate
CIGARS AND PIPES
Smoking any tobacco products will result in you qualifying for smoker rates. Smoking just one cigar or pipe per month and never using other tobacco products is still considered tobacco use if done within the last 12 months.
Best Option: First-day coverage plan
CHEWING TOBACCO / SMOKELESS TOBACCO
Chewing tobacco or using smokeless tobacco is typically treated the same as smoking cigarettes from the perspective of life insurance companies. You will generally qualify for smoker rates unless you find a final expense company that only asks about cigarette smoking.
Best Option: First-day coverage plan
E-CIGARETTE / VAPING / HOOKAH
Vaping, hookah, and e-cigarette use are considered a form of smoking by some life insurance companies and charge smoker ratings if the product you are smoking contains nicotine. Like other kinds of smoking or tobacco use, every burial insurance company differs.
As long as you are not currently using other tobacco products and you quit smoking cigarettes for 12 months, you will be approved for the nonsmoker rate even if you’re using an e-cigarette, vape, or hookah product that contains no nicotine.
Best Option: First-day coverage plan with Nonsmoker rate
NICOTINE GUM AND PATCH
Using replacement therapy products like nicotine patches or gum can get smoker rates to some life insurance companies. We work with some companies that will consider you a non-smoker if you use these smoking cessation products.
Inform the final expense company that you are using these products but no longer smoke cigarettes. Tell them how long you’ve been cigarette-free. If it’s been over 12 months, you will be charged a nonsmoker rate even if you use nicotine gum or patch.
Best Option: First-day coverage plan with Nonsmoker rate
MARIJUANA SMOKING
You can get insurance coverage even if you smoke marijuana. Depending on the insurance company, you may or may not be classified as a smoker. However, you will be charged a smoker rate if you qualify for coverage.
If you use marijuana to treat a medical condition, your premium will depend on the medical condition it’s been treating. Some companies ask about using any illegal drugs, which may result in a denial of coverage.
If you smoke marijuana, your privacy is guaranteed by HIPAA Law.
Best Option: First-day coverage plan with Nonsmoker rate
QUIT SMOKING TO GET LOWER RATES
Deciding to quit smoking would potentially secure you at a much lower rate. Once you hit the 12 months of being smoke-free, you will get a nonsmoker rate and save on premiums.
If you are generally healthy with no major health conditions that could get in the way of being approved for the nonsmoker rate, you will have a much lower premium.
Best Option: First-day coverage plan with Nonsmoker rate
What Types Of Burial Insurance Should I Avoid?
| PLANS TO AVOID | WHY? |
|---|---|
| Term life | Premiums increase after 5 years. Coverage ends after 80. |
| Pre-paid funeral plans | Expensive |
| Universal life | Tied with stocks |
| No health questions policies | With 2-year waiting period |
| Plans offering "teaser rates" | $9.95 per unit plans or $1 buys $100,000 coverage |
| Over priced plans | Insurance from TV and junk mail |
| Plans that accept mail-in payments | Risky |
| Plans that accept Direct Express | High lapse rate |
| Plans that accept Credit Cards | High lapse rate |
What Type Of Burial Insurance Is Best?
| FUNERAL FUNDS PLAN BENEFITS | INCLUDED |
|---|---|
| 1st Day Coverage | YES |
| Rates NEVER Increase | YES |
| Coverage NEVER Decreases | YES |
| Easy to get approved | YES |
| No Medical Exam | YES |
| Same Day Approval | YES |
| Death Claims Pay Fast | YES |
| Builds cash value | YES |
| Coverage Up To Age 121 | YES |
If I’m Smoker, Do I Need A Medical Exam To Qualify For Burial Insurance?
You are NOT required to take a medical exam to qualify for burial insurance for smokers.
When you apply for burial insurance, you only have to answer some basic questions about your health. The application process is simple; you don’t need to provide medical records or blood and urine samples.
You’ll get the official approval from the insurance company often within minutes!
Burial Insurance Underwriting If You’re A Smoker
Burial insurance companies have two ways of underwriting:
FIRST – They may ask you a series of health questions. Your answers to their questions will determine your eligibility.
SECOND – They will electronically review your prescription history to verify your health.
HEALTH QUESTION:
Life insurance companies will ask about your use of any of these products when you apply for coverage:
- Cigarettes
- Cigars
- Chewing Tobacco
- Pipe
- E-Cigarettes/ Vaping
- Nicotine patches
- Nicotine gum
- Marijuana
- Anything that contains tobacco or nicotine
If you use any of these, you need to answer yes to the smoking question
Your life insurance application will be directly asked if you smoke. You will typically see the smoking question asked this way:
- Have you used tobacco or nicotine products in the last 12 months?
- Have you used any form of tobacco in the previous 12 months?
- Within the previous 12 months, have you smoked cigarettes?
- Within the past 12 months, have you used any form of tobacco (excluding occasional pipe and cigar use)?
Most burial insurance companies will use any of these questions to define whether you are a smoker and needed to charge a smoker rate.
A smoker is anybody who smokes or used any tobacco products in the last 12 months. You will be subject to the tobacco rate if you have smoked even one cigarette or cigar within that last year.
The companies do not care about the volume you smoke. It could be one cigar, one cigarette, or one nicotine gum. They won’t ask how many tobacco products you smoke per day. You should answer yes if you did.
You need to stop smoking for 12 months before being considered a nonsmoker and offered a nonsmoker rate.
Smokers are considered higher-risk applicants, so every insurance company imposes a more expensive premium rate on smokers and tobacco product users.
Generally, smoker rates are 30-45% higher than the standard rate – although the exact premium will vary between insurance companies.
The factors that affect the life insurance premium are:
- How long since you quit using tobacco products?
- How long since you quit smoking?
The amount of time passed since you quit smoking will determine if you will get a nonsmoker rate. You need to be smoke-free for a minimum of 12 months to get the best rates.
SMOKING AND BURIAL INSURANCE APPLICATION
Every insurance company will ask if you smoke or use any tobacco products in their application. Lying about smoking on the life insurance application is a bad idea, and we strongly recommend against it, as you won’t be able to hide the fact that you are a smoker.
First, your life insurance application will ask you if you smoke. If you do, you need to be honest and answer “yes” to the smoking question. Hiding this fact is a form of insurance fraud.
If you tried hiding your smoking habit from the life insurance company you apply to, you run a significant risk of your policy not paying out upon death.
If you die within the first two years or during the contestability period, and the insurance company found out that you were smoking, they would have the right to deny paying out your death benefit to your beneficiary.
Be honest; that is the best way to deal with smoking when applying for insurance coverage.
How Much Insurance Do I Need If I’m A Smoker?
The amount of burial insurance you should buy varies depending on your personal and financial circumstances. However, burial insurance should cover the cost of your funeral, burial, and final expenses.
The first step to figuring out how much burial insurance you need is to know your end-of-life expenses. Your funeral cost is often the biggest single expense you need to pay. Other end-of-life expenses to consider are your outstanding medical bills, living expenses, credit card bills, and other debts.
Here’s an example of a funeral cost breakdown from the National Funeral Directors Association.
| AVERAGE FUNERAL COST WITH VIEWING AND BURIAL | |
|---|---|
| Non-declinable basic services | $2,300 |
| Removal/ transfer of remains to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming & preparation of the body | $1,050 |
| Use of facilities for viewing & funeral ceremony | $965 |
| Hearse | $325 |
| Service car/van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $183 |
| Metal casket | $2,500 |
| Vault | $1,572 |
| Median Cost of a Funeral With Viewing and Burial | $9,420 |
| AVERAGE FUNERAL COST WITH VIEWING AND CREMATION | |
|---|---|
| Non-declinable basic services fee | $2,300 |
| Removal/ transfer of remains to funeral home | $350 |
| Embalming & preparation of the body | $1,050 |
| Use of facilities for viewing & funeral ceremony | $965 |
| Service car/van | $150 |
| Basic memorial printed package | $183 |
| Cremation fee (if firm uses a third-party crematory) | $368 |
| Cremation Casket | $1,310 |
| Urn | $295 |
| Median Cost of a Funeral with Viewing and Cremation | $6,970 |
| Rental Casket | $995 |
| Alternate Cremation Container | $150 |
How Should I Pay My Premiums?
The best way to pay your premium is through a savings or checking account. We recommend you set a bank draft from your savings or checking account. That way, the bank will automatically pay your premium each month, and you don’t need to worry about your policy lapsing due to non-payment.
Smoking And Burial Insurance Riders
Insurance policy riders add benefits to your policy. Adding insurance riders will enhance your policy to fit your needs. Some riders are built into your policy, while other riders can be added at an additional cost. Most riders are affordable, and it involves little to no underwriting.
Here’s a list of common burial insurance riders:
| FUNERAL FUNDS ADD-ONS | AVAILABILITY |
|---|---|
| Terminal Illness Add-On Benefit | Included with most plans |
| Nursing Home Care Add-On Benefit | Included with most plans |
Why Do Tobacco Users And Smokers Pay More For Life Insurance?
Using tobacco products comes with well-known risks, and insurance companies charge accordingly.
The health risks and their effect on mortality are highly likely that the company will pay a death benefit to smokers’ beneficiaries.
Tobacco users and smokers pay more for life insurance because:
- Smoking has a direct connection to heart disease, respiratory illness, and cancer.
- Over 20% of all deaths in the U.S are related to smoking. One person dies every six seconds from a tobacco-related disease.
- The risk of dying from heart disease due to smoking can triple to middle-aged people.
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that smoking can shorten the lifespan of smokers to up to 10 years.
It’s no wonder the insurance industry charge more on smokers. They are more likely to pay out a death benefit much earlier than they would have on policies for nonsmokers.
However, if you quit smoking for good, you can decrease the risk of dying prematurely from smoking-related diseases by up to 90%.
If you quit using tobacco products for 12 months, it’s possible to have the insurance company e-evaluate your smoking situation and lower your premium payments.
How Much More Do You Have To Pay If You’re A Smoker?
Generally, burial insurance for smokers and tobacco product users is higher. They charge a higher premium for smokers and tobacco product users because of the risks involved.
However, how much you will pay will depend on different factors such as your:
- Age
- Health
- Coverage Amount
The cost of burial insurance for smokers versus nonsmokers are based on age. The price of coverage increases as you get older.
The premium for burial insurance for smokers is 150% to 340% more than for nonsmokers.
Each insurance company has a unique way of computing your rate. Smoking and your general health will help determine your premium. If you’re a current smoker, your premium would be higher when you buy burial or final expense insurance.
But, if you started smoking after you bought life insurance, your rates wouldn’t increase.
Benefits Of Burial & Funeral Insurance
Here are some of the benefits of purchasing a burial or funeral policy:
- No medical exam or doctor’s visit required – easy to get approved.
- Ease of issue – easy to qualify and get insurance coverage.
- No Money Down to get approved – have your policy start whenever you want.
- Level premium – your premium will never increase.
- Fixed death benefit – your death benefit will never decrease for any reason.
- Permanent protection – your policy can not be canceled by the life insurance company if you continue to pay your premiums.
- Tax-free – the death benefit is directly paid to your beneficiary tax-free upon your death
- Cash value builds up – burial insurance is a whole life policy that builds cash value over time.
Other Common Uses For Final Expense Life Insurance For Smoker
All of these examples are appropriate uses for Final Expense Life Insurance:
- Burial insurance for smokers
- Cremation insurance plan for smokers
- Funeral home insurance plan for smokers
- Final Expense insurance plan for smokers
- Prepaid funeral plan insurance for smokers
- Mortgage payment protection plan for smokers
- Mortgage payoff life insurance plan for smokers
- Deceased spouse’s income replacement plan for smokers Legacy insurance gift plan to family or loved ones for smokers Medical or doctor bill life insurance plan for smokers
We can help you with any of the plans above. Your pricing will depend on your age, health, and coverage amount for each program option.
How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
Finding a policy if you are a current or ex-smoker needn’t be frustrating; working with an independent life insurance agency like Funeral Funds will make the process easier and quicker.
We will work with you every step to find the plan that fits your financial requirements and budget. You don’t have to waste your precious time searching for multiple insurance companies anymore because we will do the dirty work for you.
We work with many A+ rated insurance carriers that specialize in covering high-risk clients like you. We will search all those companies and match you up with the best burial insurance company that gives the best rate.
We will assist you in securing the coverage you need at a rate you can afford, so if you are looking for smoker funeral insurance, smoker burial insurance, or smoker life insurance.
Fill out our quote form on this page or call us at (888) 862-9456, and we can give you accurate life insurance quotes.
Additional Questions & Answers On Burial Insurance For Smokers
Can smokers get life insurance?
Yes, smokers can get life insurance. However, your premiums will be higher than those of a nonsmoker. Some insurance companies also require that you stop smoking for a certain amount of time before they will issue a policy to you.
What is considered a smoker for insurance purposes??
The definition of a smoker for insurance purposes may vary depending on the insurance company. Typically, however, smokers are those who have smoked cigarettes in the past 12 months.
Can I get burial insurance if I’m a smoker?
Yes, you can get burial insurance if you’re a smoker. However, your premiums will be higher than those of a nonsmoker. Some insurance companies also require that you stop smoking for a certain amount of time before they will issue a policy to you.
Is insurance higher for smokers?
Yes, insurance premiums for smokers are typically higher than those for nonsmokers. This is because smokers are considered to be at a higher risk.
Can life insurance tell if you smoke cigarettes?
No, life insurance companies cannot tell if you smoke cigarettes. However, they may ask about your smoking habits when applying for a policy.
Can I get life insurance if I’m a smoker and have cancer?
Yes, you can get life insurance if you’re a smoker and have cancer. However, your premiums will be higher than those of a nonsmoker.
Can I lie about tobacco use for insurance?
No, you cannot lie about tobacco use for insurance. If caught lying, your policy may be canceled and you may be subject to fines.
Are there any special policies for smokers?
Some insurance companies do offer special policies for smokers. However, these policies typically have higher premiums than those of regular life insurance policies.
Should I declare smoking in burial insurance?
It is typically not necessary to declare smoking in burial insurance. However, you should be honest if you are asked about your smoking habits. Lying about your smoking habits could lead to the cancellation of your policy and fines.
Why do life insurance companies ask if you smoke?
Life insurance companies ask if you smoke because smokers are at a higher risk. This means they are more likely to die prematurely, which can lead to the company having to pay a claim.
What if I start smoking after taking life insurance?
If you start smoking after taking out a life insurance policy, your premiums may go up. This is because smokers are considered to be at a higher risk.
Can smokers get funeral insurance?
Yes, smokers can get funeral insurance. However, their premiums will be higher than those of a nonsmoker. Some insurance companies also require that you stop smoking for a certain amount of time before they will issue a policy to you.
Can I get life insurance if I’m a smoker and I have diabetes?
Yes, you can get life insurance if you’re a smoker and you have diabetes. However, your premiums will be higher than those of a nonsmoker.
How much more do smokers pay for life insurance?
Smokers typically pay about 50% more for life insurance than nonsmokers. This is because smokers are considered to be at a higher risk.
Do all life insurance companies charge smokers more?
No, not all life insurance companies charge smokers more. However, those typically charge significantly more than those who don’t.
How many cigarettes does it take to be considered a smoker?
The definition of a smoker for insurance purposes may vary depending on the insurance company. Typically, however, smokers are those who have smoked cigarettes in the past 12 months.
How do insurance companies check tobacco use?
Insurance companies typically do not check tobacco use. However, if you are caught lying about your smoking habits, your policy may be canceled.
How long do you have to quit smoking to be considered a nonsmoker for life insurance?
You typically have to stop smoking for at least 12 months before you can be considered a nonsmoker for life insurance.
Is 10 cigarettes a day a heavy smoker?
It depends on the insurance company. Some may consider 10 cigarettes a day to be a heavy smoker, while others may not. It is best to speak with an agent to find out how your specific insurance company defines a heavy smoker.
Can smokers get final expense insurance?
Yes, smokers can get final expense insurance. However, their premiums will be higher than those of a nonsmoker. Some insurance companies also require that you stop smoking for a certain amount of time before they will issue a policy to you at a non-smoker rate.
Who is considered a smoker?
Smokers are typically those who have smoked cigarettes in the past 12 months. However, the definition of a smoker may vary depending on the insurance company.
Can your lungs heal themselves after quitting smoking?
Yes, your lungs can heal themselves after quitting smoking. This is because the damage caused by smoking is reversible.
Can I get life insurance if I’m a smoker and I have asthma?
Yes, you can get life insurance if you’re a smoker and you have asthma. However, your premiums will be higher than those of a nonsmoker.
Can a chest xray show that you smoke?
A chest x-ray cannot show if you smoke. However, it can show the damage caused by smoking.
Are all life insurance companies against smokers?
No, not all life insurance companies are against smokers. However, those that typically charge significantly more than those that aren’t.
What happens to life insurance if you start smoking?
If you start smoking after taking out a life insurance policy, your premiums may go up. This is because smokers are considered to be at a higher risk.
Can smokers get cremation insurance?
Yes, smokers can get cremation insurance. However, their premiums will be higher than those of a nonsmoker. Some insurance companies also require that you stop smoking for a certain amount of time before they will issue a policy to you at a nonsmoker rate.
How do insurers know if you smoke?
Insurers typically do not check tobacco use. However, if you are caught lying about your smoking habits, your policy may be canceled.
What happens if you don’t tell your insurance you smoke?
If you don’t tell your insurance company that you smoke and you are caught, your policy may be canceled. This is because smokers are considered to be at a higher risk.
How much more do you pay for life insurance if you smoke?
The amount you pay for life insurance if you smoke will vary depending on the insurance company. However, smokers typically pay significantly more than nonsmokers.
Can I get life insurance if I am a heavy smoker?
It depends on the insurance company. Some may consider you to be a heavy smoker if you smoke 10 cigarettes or more per day, while others may not. It is best to speak with an agent to find out how your specific insurance company defines a heavy smoker.
What happens if you lie about being a smoker to insurance?
If you lie about being a smoker to insurance, your policy may be canceled. This is because smokers are considered to be at a higher risk.
Do you have to inform life insurance if you start smoking?
No, you do not have to inform life insurance if you start smoking. However, if you are caught lying about your smoking habits, your policy may be canceled.
Can you be denied life insurance if you smoke?
Smokers may be denied life insurance, depending on the insurance company. However, those caught lying about their smoking habits may also be denied coverage.
What is the average age a smoker dies?
The average age a smoker dies is around 66 years old. However, this varies depending on the person’s health and lifestyle.
How many cigarettes does the average smoker smoke in a day?
The average smoker smokes around 10 cigarettes per day. However, this varies depending on the person’s health and lifestyle.
How much shorter do smokers live?
Smokers typically live around 10 years shorter than nonsmokers. Smoking causes many health problems, such as heart disease and lung cancer.
How long does it take for a smoker to get black lungs?
It can take smokers anywhere from 5 to 10 years to get black lungs. However, this varies depending on the person’s health and lifestyle.
What is the difference between a smoker and a nonsmoker life insurance?
The main difference between smoker and nonsmoker life insurance is the cost. Smokers typically pay significantly more than nonsmokers.
Do you have to stop smoking to get life insurance?
Most insurers do not require you to stop smoking to get life insurance. However, some may require you to stop smoking for a certain amount of time before they will issue a policy to you at a nonsmoker rate.
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