Life Insurance for Cigar Smokers

Life Insurance for Cigar SmokersUnfortunately, most life insurance carriers do not distinguish between the man who smokes the occasional Padron and the guy who smokes two packs of cigarettes per day.

This is important because if you smoke cigars and are looking for life insurance, you need to know where to look, or you’ll run the risk of being lumped into the same “tobacco user” category as the daily cigarette smoker, and will pay two to three times higher than what a “non-tobacco user” pays.

—–>>> Call us at 877-443-9467 for Cigar Smoker Quotes  <<<——

Cigar Smoker – Preferred (Non Tobacco) Rates
For example, in order to qualify for Banner Life Insurance‘s best rating, Preferred Plus Non Tobacco, and therefore the lowest premium, you must fall into this tobacco definition: “No use of tobacco or nicotine-based products in the last 36 months.”

They do have a special provision allowing 1 cigar per month combined with the urine analysis testing negative for nicotine, but you can see that Banner Life doesn’t bend much for cigar smokers.

The Good News – Some Carriers Allow Even More Cigar Use
There are some carriers that make better concessions for cigar users. For example, American General’s criteria to be rated as Preferred Non Tobacco (their second best rating) is as follows: “No tobacco use for three years.” However, just after this definition, a note reads as follows: Underwriting is willing to consider the occasional cigar smoker under the following guidelines:

  • The use must be admitted at the time of application.
  • No more than one cigar per week.
  • No nicotine metabolites (cotinine) may be present in the urinalysis done for AG or any other company within the past 12 months.
  • No use of tobacco products other than occasional cigars.

That American General allows one cigar per week is a super aggressive offer compared to most carriers… and may be the occasional cigar smoker’s life insurance solution. However, the best you’ll get there is “Preferred”, the second best offer.

Even Better News – Best Rating (Preferred Plus) Available Too
If you use just one cigar per week, the best, non smoking rating is available.  You have to know where to look, but you can smoke one cigar PER WEEK and still get the Best rating, Preferred Plus Non Tobacco.

There is only one carrier I know of who will allow this, so if you smoke a cigar per week, and need life insurance, be sure to go to an independent agent who shops out several carriers, or you don’t have a chance at finding Preferred Plus rates.  You can also call us at 877-443-9467.  Here again, the cigar smoker must test negative for nicotine on the test to qualify for this rating.

Do you Smoke MORE than 1 Cigar Per Week? Non Tobacco Rates Still Available
Test Positive for Nicotine and Still get Non Tobacco Ratings?  Then you have Prudential, who has a special class “Non Smoker Plus” that allows the cigar smoker to smoke as much as he or she wants and test positive for nicotine on the urine test.

However, their non smoker plus rates won’t be as affordable as preferred with AG or my other life insurance company. The best thing you can do if you’re a cigar smoker looking for life insurance is speak to a knowledgeable independent agent who can assess your case and take it the carrier who will give you the best offer.