Life Insurance - Ex Smoker

csa

After the birth of our daughter I have finally got my husband to take out life insurance cover. He has put down that he is a non smoker, he gave up smoking a few years back HOWEVER... still has the occasional cigar. It's hard to average this as some weeks he may not have any then others he may smoke 1 or two a week. I'm worried that this might make a future claim invalid. Could someone advise me as to what we should do (other than getting him to give up the cigars completely which is the option I will be pushing!!). Thanks

Tam_Lin

If he won't give up, then I would've thought the only possible options if you want valid insurance are either change your existing policy by speaking to your insurer (not sure if this would invalidate the policy going forward though if the original terms would be considered inaccurate) or take out a new one elsewhere and specify that he smokes.

dunstonh

It depends on the provider. All providers will want a period of at least 12 months (some upto 3 years although not as common) with no smoking of any sort. 1 cigarette or cigar and clock restarts.

If the policy is non-smoker, then chances are it would be invalidated in the event of a claim. Especially if death is due to an obvious smoking related disease.

Contact the insurance company and tell them his smoking habits and they will redraw the policy. However, they will probably ask for back payments so rebrokering the policy (take out a new one) is probably the better option with the correct information disclosed.

Money_Watch

You should really consider what has been said above, and take out a new policy - it's pretty pointless having the policy if you know there's a good chance any claim might be denied.

Although it might seem trivial having the odd cigar or fag every now and then, in the eyes of the insurers this makes you a smoker (I think even using some nicotine products, such as patches, would get you classed as a smoker).

Murielson

Just completing term assurance policy at the moment and it asks the direct question 'have you smoked in the last 12 months'. If you/he cannot sign up to this I imagine premiums would go up but that insurance/assurance can still be obtained.

Is it worth saving a few bob on the premiums at the risk of nil pay out in the event of a problem? Insurance is meant to offer you security and a certain peace of mind and you would seem to have neither at the moment.

You may wish him to have a look at this thread.

stressedoutmumof1

A quick question on the flip side. What if when you took the policy out you were a non-smoker, but now (5 years on) you have the occasional cigar? Would that invalidate your policy?