Home Life insurance Risk factors Can you hide smoking from life insurance companies? Can you hide smoking from life insurance companies? Written by Prachi Singh Prachi Singh Prachi is an insurance writer with a master’s degree in business administration. Through her writing, she hopes to help readers make smart and informed decisions about their finances. She loves to travel and write poetry. | Reviewed by Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir is an insurance expert and managing editor of Insure.com. She specializes in life and health insurance content, and has experience as a marketing consultant. | Updated on: May 28, 2025 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. Lying about smoking on a life insurance policy may seem like a way to save money on premiums, but it can backfire in serious ways. If the insurer discovers you lied, either during the application process or within the contestability period, they can cancel your policy or deny claims, leaving your loved ones without the financial protection they need. “Lying about smoking on a life insurance application is a recipe for disaster,” says Paul Gillooly, director of loan broker Dot Dot Loans. “It might seem harmless at first, but if an insurer finds out you’ve been dishonest, they could refuse to pay the death benefit to your family. Insurance companies take strict actions against dishonesty, so lying to them means you’re risking your family’s financial future.” Being upfront about your smoking status ensures your policy is valid and that your family is protected when it matters most. Key Takeaways Insurance companies have multiple ways to verify your smoking status, including medical exams, reviewing medical records, and checking third-party databases. Lying about smoking can lead to a canceled policy, denied claims, and financial trouble for your loved ones. Honesty is the best approach when applying for life insurance — while smokers may face higher premiums, being truthful ensures your policy remains valid and your loved ones are fully protected. What happens if you lie about smoking on your life insurance application? Hiding your smoking status might lower premiums at first, but it can backfire — insurers may cancel your policy or deny claims if they find out. If you lie about smoking and the insurance company finds out, your application won’t get accepted. Even if you initially secure a policy, insurers can still contest claims if they find out you lied during the contestability period, which typically lasts two years. If you pass away during this time and it turns out you were a smoker, the insurance company won’t pay out the death benefit to your loved ones. Beyond the financial risks, lying on a life insurance application can also lead to legal consequences. Insurance fraud is a serious offense, and misrepresenting yourself intentionally could result in fines or other legal penalties. It’s always best to be honest when applying for life insurance, even if it means paying a higher premium. This ensures that your policy will be honored when your family needs it the most. How do insurance companies check if you smoke? Insurance companies use several methods to verify whether an applicant smokes. One of the most common ways is through a medical exam, which tests for nicotine or its byproducts, like cotinine, in your blood, urine, or saliva. Even if you quit smoking, these tests can detect nicotine for several days or weeks, depending on how much and how often you used tobacco. Some companies may also request access to your medical records, which could show a history of smoking or treatments related to smoking-related illnesses. As no-medical-exam life insurance policies become more and more popular, insurers have also started to use technology to verify smoking status. Many insurance companies run reports from third-party databases that aggregate data from health and lifestyle sources. If any discrepancies are found between what you’ve stated and what these databases show, it can lead to higher premiums or even denial of coverage. Again, being honest is key. If insurance companies find out that you smoke, your policy could be canceled. Do life insurance premiums increase if you begin smoking after buying a policy? If you start smoking after you’ve already secured a life insurance policy, the good news is that your premiums won’t automatically increase. Most life insurance policies are based on the information you provide at the time of application, and as long as you were truthful when you applied, your rates are locked in. Life insurance companies generally don’t reassess your risk or adjust premiums after the policy is in place unless you apply for additional coverage or switch policies. However, if you decide to apply for a new policy or add riders to your existing coverage, your smoking habit will come into play. In these cases, you’ll likely be classified as a smoker, which could result in higher premiums. It’s important to note that if you lied about smoking on your original application and the insurer later finds out, they could potentially cancel your policy or deny claims, even if you started smoking after the fact. Honesty is key to avoiding complications down the road. QuickTake Life insurance and autism: What you need to know Life insurance for people with dementia How to buy life insurance after being diagnosed with cancer Life insurance for people with depression or anxiety Life insurance for people with bipolar disorder Life insurance for down syndrome How to buy life insurance when you have high blood pressure Life insurance for parents of children with special needs Life insurance for diabetics Life insurance for overweight people Life insurance for people with HIV How alcohol use affects your life insurance premiums Life insurance for people with diabetes When is it too late to buy life insurance? Your life expectancy Cigar smokers see the best life insurance rates drift away Life insurers shrug at assisted suicide How a history of mental illness affects your life insurance rates How blood pressure and cholesterol affect life insurance rates See more > How quitting smoking can lower your life insurance premiums Quitting smoking can lead to major savings on your life insurance over time. Smokers typically pay much higher premiums due to increased health risks, but many insurers will reconsider your rate if you stay smoke-free for a certain period. Most companies require at least 12 months without tobacco use before reclassifying you as a non-smoker — some may require longer. Once you meet the requirement, you’ll need to request a policy review, which may include health questions or a medical exam to confirm your status. If approved, your premiums could drop significantly. Reclassification isn’t automatic — you must take the initiative to contact your insurer and provide proof. The longer you remain tobacco-free, the better your chances of locking in lower rates, making quitting a smart move for your health and wallet. Tips for buying life insurance if you’re a smoker You can still get coverage. Life insurance is available to smokers, though it typically comes with higher premiums. Be honest on your application. Insurers will ask about your smoking habits and may require a medical exam to test for nicotine. Lying can lead to canceled policies or denied claims. Shop around. Different insurers evaluate risk differently—comparing quotes can help you find a more affordable option. Look for “preferred smoker” rates. Some companies offer better rates to smokers who are otherwise in good health. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Good overall health can offset some of the costs of being a smoker. Consider future reclassification. Many policies allow you to apply for lower premiums after you have been smoke-free for 12 to 24 months. Lock in coverage now. Save later. You can secure a policy at smoker rates and request a reevaluation after you quit to lower your costs. × Get Free Life Insurance Quotes Today! Zip Code Please enter valid zip Age Age 16 – 20 21 – 24 25 – 34 35 – 44 45 – 54 55 – 64 65+ Coverage Amount Coverage Amount $50,000 – $100,000 $100,000 – $200,000 $200,000 – $300,000 $400,000 – $500,000 $500,000 – $1,000,000 $1,000,000 – $2,000,000 $2,000,000 – $5,000,000 $5,000,000+ Coverage Type Coverage Type Whole Life Term Life Final Expense Not Sure Gender Gender Male Female Non-Binary Tobacco Use Yes No Compare Quotes Prachi SinghContributing Researcher . .Prachi is an insurance writer with a master’s degree in business administration. Through her writing, she hopes to help readers make smart and informed decisions about their finances. She loves to travel and write poetry. 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