Vaping and Life Insurance

[greenpang]

So, my husband and I have been paying pretty hefty premiums for our life insurance because we got the policies when we were smokers.

At the time, they took blood and pee samples, and the letter with the results indicated "nicotine levels detected in urine comparable to that of a smoker" for both of us. Despite having otherwise perfect health, we both got the smoker rate, which is double the non-smoker rate.

They told us that if we ever quit smoking, we're welcome to get tested again, and as long as there's no nicotine in our pee, we can have our premiums changed to the non-smoker rates!

Well, we've quit smoking. But there would still be nicotine in our pee.

Has anyone else dealt with this?

 

[heroinesick]

Tell them you are using a nicotine patch??

 

[hvac999]

There was a previous thread with this subject. It appears all companies are treating vapers as smokers. Unfortunately it will be a while before insurance companies embrace e-cigarettes.

 

[eric1973]

It's not likely insurance companies will ever pay for anything they don't have to. They pay their execs handsomely to come up with new ways the companies do not have to pay the insured (some time ago, I used to work at Blue Cross, printing inter-office mail, reports, and bonus checks to those same execs).

What I question at this point is this: If one were to claim one's self as a non-smoker, would you be tested for nicotene? And is it now standard policy to share information with previous companies (usually, companies will differ on this)? You may be able to sign on with a different insurer under a new guideline. Again, I know companies vary. Am curious on the possibility though even with the knowledge that switching is a pain...

 

[skoot]

If you can handle 4 or 5 days of hell, nicotine will clear your system in that time if you eat and drink the right stuff. They can't recheck you after you sign the papers and get your premium rate.

 

[volume control]

If you can handle 4 or 5 days of hell, nicotine will clear your system in that time if you eat and drink the right stuff. They can't recheck you after you sign the papers and get your premium rate.

They can not pay out on the policy if something does happen, and nicotine is detected in your system. However its standard that after 2 years they no longer can rescind on nicotine in the system. Its something to take into consideration

 

[greenpang]

It's not likely insurance companies will ever pay for anything they don't have to. They pay their execs handsomely to come up with new ways the companies do not have to pay the insured (some time ago, I used to work at Blue Cross, printing inter-office mail, reports, and bonus checks to those same execs).

What I question at this point is this: If one were to claim one's self as a non-smoker, would you be tested for nicotene? And is it now standard policy to share information with previous companies (usually, companies will differ on this)? You may be able to sign on with a different insurer under a new guideline. Again, I know companies vary. Am curious on the possibility though even with the knowledge that switching is a pain...

Good question, but yeah, you'd be tested either way. We did indicate that we were smokers at the time, but they run the same tests on everyone's blood and pee. (Not sure if you'd run into more problems if you said you were a non-smoker but showed nicotine, but it would be found regardless.)

 

[greenpang]

If you can handle 4 or 5 days of hell, nicotine will clear your system in that time if you eat and drink the right stuff. They can't recheck you after you sign the papers and get your premium rate.

Yeah, I've thought of this too, but it's frustrating to need to do something "shady" even though we are truly not smoking.

 

[Bubba]

So I know nothing about insurance, but let me ask - if you were in a car accident and died, the insurance company would test blood/pee? Or would they just pay since nicotine wasn't a factor?

something tells me the answer is going to make me hate insurance companies

 

[alisa1970]

Hi guys, as a former insurance agent, I can tell you that it's all about risk, and how your lifestyle affects that risk. Certain levels of risk means you can't get life insurance at all, and others will change the rate at which you pay.

While nicotine may not be particularly dangerous, it can affect blood glucose, blood pressure, and can be dangerous for people who are already at risk. Just like someone who is overweight, has high blood pressure, and a family history of diabetes will either not get or pay a high premium for life insurance, someone who may not be smoking but uses nicotine may also be "at risk", and will therefore carry a higher premium.

It's possible that as more data comes out about e-cigs and the effects of long-term nicotine use without actually smoking becomes better known, actuaries may come to the conclusion that this kind of nicotine replacement is a lower risk. It's just too new, and right now, the only test for smoking is to test for nicotine in the blood/urine.

It's not that anyone's "out to get you", it's a matter of how likely you are to die while your insurance policy is in effect, and the risk that the insurance company is taking to cover you. As was said in another thread where this came up, insurance is a business, and businesses exist to make money.