Can You Hide Smoking From Life Insurance Companies?

  1. 61667 POINTS
    Steve Savant
    Syndicated Financial Columnist, Host of the weekly talk show Steve Savant's Money, the Name of the Game, Scottsdale Arizona
    Any attempt to defraud an insurance company by concealing material fact or omission may cause your beneficiaries claim to the proceeds of the policy to be denied. It could also constitute outright fraud which could lead to a civil suits. The application is forthright in it's questions on smoking and not to mention the urine test will ferret out the nicotine levels in you system. Don't try to game the system. You'll lose in the end.
    Answered on September 11, 2013
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  2. 63333 POINTS
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    Peggy MacePRO
    Most of the U.S.
    Can you hide smoking from life insurance companies? I have certainly had clients try it. How do I know? Because they got caught. Once they answered "no" to the tobacco question and then evidence of recent smoking was found in their urine or medical records, from then on, all their answers were suspect. Underwriters use some personal judgement in assessing risk, and when a lie is discovered on the application, they are not quick to offer the benefit of the doubt for anything else. Not only that, but you end up paying tobacco rates with a company that may not have the best tobacco rates. When agents know up front what we are dealing with, we are much better able to get you with the lowest priced policy from the start.
    Answered on September 11, 2013
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  3. 1380 POINTS
    James Elbaum
    President | Founder, CLM Insurance Group, Delray Beach, FL
    Don't even try it.  Hiding tobacco use from the carrier initially may not be that difficult, but when it comes claim time the carrier will fight tooth and nail if they even think you lied on your application.  Keep your answers on your application honest to avoid a non-payment of claims in the event of an untimely death.
    Answered on April 7, 2014
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  4. 170 POINTS
    Katherine Hood
    Agent, Hood Agency, Alaska
    I certainly wouldn't try to hid nicotine from a life insurance application.  There are policies that don't require medical but they will find out when they pull your medical records.  It isn't a good idea to fib for this will be in your insurance history for life, all health, life etc applications can see your trail and history of how questions are answered.  Here's what I suggest, buy a small term life insurance policy, work on quitting and when you are successfully clean after 12 months, shop again for life insurance, at 12 months clean you are able to qualify for preferred rates pending there aren't any other issues.  Good luck!
    Answered on April 8, 2014
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