Life assurance and smoking questions

jason1231972

Just filling out an application for joint decreasing term assurance with Aviva (designed to cover a small-ish mortgage should one of us cark it in the next 25 years), and there's some difference between the questions asked of me (male, aged 40) and my partner (female, mid-20s).

We're both applying as 'quit smoking in the last 12 months' (we're 6 months smoke-free, but the options on the application form are limited), and my stage of the application asked no further questions about smoking.

My partner is being asked some womanly questions that obviously don't apply to me, but is also - unlike me - being asked when she last smoked a cigarette? The options are 1-2 years ago, 2+ years ago, 3+ years ago, and so on, none of which apply (since it's 6 months, and we've applied as quit smoking within the last 12 months, so, d'uh).

Because the Aviva application form is rubbishy, we're holding off purchasing for now (was just looking for a price, rather than an immediate purchase), but just out of curiosity, is there any particular reason why the date of my partner's last cigarette is specifically questioned, yet mine isn't? Obviously when the time comes we're going to be 100% truthful (I've seen the life insurance application lies backfire on other people!), but we're just a bit puzzled.

My common sense assumption leaves me to believe that I'd be a higher risk than her - in 25 years, my partner will be barely 50, whereas I'll be not far off claiming my pension (and I have family history of some health nasties, whereas she doesn't).

ACG

If you have smoked in the last 12 months - for insurance purposes your classed as a smoker.

Im not sure why it would only ask on your wifes part, it may not have got to your additional questions yet?

jason1231972

ACG wrote: »

If you have smoked in the last 12 months - for insurance purposes your classed as a smoker.

Im not sure why it would only ask on your wifes part, it may not have got to your additional questions yet?

My questions are done and dusted, inc. all the stuff about working at heights, am I dying of AIDS, etc.. (no), family medical history (all declared, and the picture ain't pretty!), then onto my partner with questions in the exact same order, but additional info about smoking.

I kind of assumed that no concession would have been given for quitting smoking so recently, but like I say just a bit puzzled. I wonder if it's specifically a gender issue...

ACG

Its not something ive come across before. That being said Aviva is one company i never use, so that could be why.

Maybe give them a call?

stephenni1971

My partner is being asked some womanly questions that obviously don't apply to me, but is also - unlike me - being asked when she last smoked a cigarette? The options are 1-2 years ago, 2+ years ago, 3+ years ago, and so on, none of which apply (since it's 6 months, and we've applied as quit smoking within the last 12 months, so, d'uh).

The question is have you smoked or used Nicotine replacement therapy in the last twelve months.

Supplementary question is 'Have you ever smoked' this then give the options you described above.

It's simple - you have not answered the same to each application therefore your questions have followed different paths.

Of course using an adviser stops mistake like this ( usually... )