The idea that smokers cannot purchase health insurance is among the most pervasive ones in personal finance. Contrary to what many people think, health insurance companies provide coverage to smokers, albeit with different terms and conditions than non-smokers. Remember that smoking may make it necessary for you to pay a higher premium for health insurance. This should not stop you from purchasing health insurance, though, as smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop lifestyle diseases.
How Does A Smoker Acquire Health Insurance?
According to health insurance companies, A smoker consumes nicotine in any form. Insurance companies require medical exams to identify habitual smokers and calculate the cost of coverage. You can find nicotine traces in your saliva, hair, urine, and blood. The amount of time nicotine remains in your system is influenced by age, general health, and how frequently you smoke.
When you sign up for a health insurance plan, insurers inquire about your smoking habits. Typical inquiries include: Do you smoke? Do you currently or recently use tobacco? The number of cigarettes smoked or health issues brought on by smoking are questions that insurers ask. To meet their underwriting standards, insurers may require medical tests if you have disclosed your smoking habit. When presenting a health insurance plan, they also consider the age and sum assured. To minimise room for disagreement at the time of a claim, it is advised for a smoker to have their medical exams performed by the insurance company at the time the policy is purchased
Smokers without pre-existing conditions can quickly obtain health insurance with the bare minimum of paperwork. You can soon get health insurance if you smoke a few cigarettes daily, have no pre-existing conditions, and are generally healthy. The health insurance program will cover any side effects, such as a lung condition, incurred from smoking in the future. Health insurance providers don’t accept applications from people who smoke more than 20–40 cigarettes daily.
A health insurance calculator is a simple and easy-to-use tool to determine the amount of premium you would need to pay.
Why Is Health Insurance Necessary For Smokers?
Many smokers think that insurance companies would reject their applications because they would see their smoking as the cause of all future illnesses. This worry is unwarranted. Make all necessary disclosures and submit them to the medical examination. A smoker must protect himself from serious diseases that could develop due to smoking and enjoy the benefits of health insurance. Serious illnesses affecting smokers include respiratory conditions, stroke, hypertension, heart disease, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Many smokers for go purchasing health insurance because they think their claims will be wholly or partially denied. A claim is rejected if a smoking-related illness existed when the policy was purchased and was not disclosed. Pre-existing conditions must wait two to four years before being covered by health insurance companies. There may be some exclusions for smokers, but the pre-existing disease conditions are the same for smokers and non-smokers.
Standard T&C Apply.
Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.
