Hot Topics

Is the price you’re quoted, the price you pay?
Not always. It depends upon the details you disclose in your full Application form.
If you’re asked to supply more information or go for a medical, will the premium increase?
No, not necessarily. If you’re asked for more information or to have a medical it does not automatically follow that your premium will increase. To put this in context, in our experience 88% of people who apply for life insurance qualify for the price first quoted.
Is a medical absolutely necessary?
No. Most people do not require a medical. Normally an insurer will only ask for a medical if you have existing health issues that cannot be resolved by a report from your GP or if you have applied for an especially high sum of insurance.
Once you've got your quote, what's the next step?
If you decide to go ahead you’ll need to fill in an Application form.
When Does My Cover Start?
Once your insurer has accepted your Application, your insurance cover can start straight away.

Why is insurance more expensive for smokers?

On average, the premium for a smoker is around 65% higher than a non-smoker. The reason is quite simple – non-smokers are generally healthier and live longer.

STEP 1 of 2
Type of cover
Life Insurance       Mortgage Life Insurance
 
Cover Level (£)

Number of years
Do you want:  
Critical illness cover
Family income benefit
 

Yes, smokers do get charged more. A lot more!

Let’s start with the insurance industry’s usual definition of a smoker: -

A smoker is
“a person who used, smoked or otherwise consumed
any kind of tobacco products during the previous 12 months.”

A few insurance companies have lengthened the qualifying period from 12 months to 5 years. So, if you have given up smoking during the previous 1 to 5 years, you get a much cheaper premium from an insurance company which uses the 12 month definition.

When an insurer calculates a premium for you, it has to work out how long they expect you to live. (Or with Critical Illness cover, how likely you are to become seriously ill during the policy’s term.)

To do this they will take into account a number of factors including for example your age, your health record, your weight and height, how much you drink, your occupation and whether you smoke.

All insurers include questions on their Application form about the type and quantity of tobacco products you use. They use this information to forecast your health and this information becomes a vital part of their risk assessment.

Even though some Pro-Smoking Pressure Groups contend that smokers under the age of 40 have about the same probability of death as non-smokers, a typical 30 year old male can expect to be charged up to 56% more for a 25 year life insurance policy than a non-smoker.

That’s why it becomes even more important for a smoker to seek out the cheapest possible insurance premium.

Frequently Asked Questions related to the above topic.
Click below if you wish to read them: -