Smoking cigars and medicals

[ayepatz]

Finally got my life insurance sorted out. Not too bad, and covered as a smoker.

Looking forward to firing something up later after nearly a month of cigar abstinence!

[yhomas]

Got to have a medical exam on Tuesday for my mortgage insurance policy.

I understand that they now do a mouth swab to see whether or not you are a smoker.

Anyone know about how this works?

My last cigar was on Thursday, and I had a few snus on Friday, but nothing since.

I'm not a regular smoker - quit cigarettes 19 years ago - and normally I only have 2-3 cigars week, and snus only when I see my mate from Sweden once a year.

Are you a smoker--for the purpose which is relevant to an insurance company? That is, do you have a substantially higher risk of disease scientifically demonstrated to be caused by habitual cigarette use? IMO, if you smoke cigars intermittently (2-3 per week) and don't inhale the smoke, the scientific research I have seen suggests that you do not have a significant increase in health risk, which warrants special attention for the insurance company. So therefore, for the purpose for which they are asking the question "are you a smoker", the correct answer is no. (http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/brp/tcrb/monographs/9/m9_4.pdf )

Just my opinion, but I feel that one is only morally obligated to tell the medical community and insurance company about things which are actually relevant to them.

On the other hand, being perfectly honest that you intermittently smoke cigars, and getting categorized as a "smoker" is arguably the honorable thing to do--because no one can find fault with you.

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Specifically with regard to life insurance, at least in the USA, there is something called a "contestability period", which is usually 2 years (depending on state law). The start date of this window is when the policy first goes into effect. Basically, if the policy holder dies within 2 years of initiating the policy, the insurance company has a right to contest the claim. After 2 years, the insurance company can not contest a claim.

For instance, if the policy holder A.) actually was a smoker, who B.) had a non-smoking insurance policy, the insurance company could deny the claim if C.) the policy holder dies within <2 years of initiating the policy, and D.) they find out about the policy holder's smoking status after the death, and E.) the death can plausibly be traced to smoking (lung/mouth/throat cancer, etc.)

http://www.insure.com/life-insurance/life-insurance-contestability.html

http://www.mcmha.org/cigar-smoking-affects-life-insurance/

If you fail to disclose your cigar smoking habit on the life insurance application, and the insurance company fails to detect it, it could lead to the possibility of a nightmare outcome.

If your death is ultimately traced to the use of tobacco products – which you did not disclose on the application – the insurance company may not pay the death benefit to your survivors. The nondisclosure of your cigar smoking habit can be considered insurance fraud, and sufficient legal grounds for the insurance company to deny your family’s claim.

Be sure to disclose any cigar smoking habit that you have. And rather than withholding information, instead work with an insurance agent who can place your application with an insurance company that has a more favorable view of either occasional cigar smoking, or smoking in general.

Ultimately, the best solution is to be able to find an insurance policy which differentiates between intermittent cigar smokers who do not inhale the smoke, from "smokers". I haven't studied this--perhaps there is a business opportunity here for someone.

[skarolla]

Great read guys.

Anyone from Canada have some first hand experience?

[davidl]

Blood tests can detect traces of cotinine in smaller amount than the saliva test. Your genes can also determine how well you metabolize nicotine.

And if you use nicotine patches/gum/sprays, it will definitely come up positive.

Excellent info, thanks. Any idea after how long cotinine could be detectable in blood?

[Fuzz]

Depends on your exposure to nicotine. It can take up to 2 weeks for cotine levels in your blood to fall to that of a non-smoker (provided you don't light up again in the meantime).

[Orion21]

In the USA different companies look at smoking differently. Some companies consider tobacco use of any kind akin to being a cigarette smoker and will charge you 30-100% more in premium. Some companies are more nuanced at how they look at different tobacco. Some companies make distinctions between cigarettes, cigars and even chewing tobacco. Some companies will allow up to 1 cigar per week and consider that person a "non-smoker," while others allow 1 per month. When I bought my insurance I did my homework, disclosed my cigar use to a company who looked kindly on it and qualified to one class under the best possible, even disclosing cigars. Also, in the USA there is a 2 year contestability clause for life insurance. If you lie on your application and something happens within 24 months they can contest the claim and deny benefits. After two years they have to honor the claim.

My best advice to cigars smokers is to use an insurance agent who you can disclose your cigar use to and ask them to find the best company considering your use of tobacco. They have access to the underwriting criteria for all companies and these companies will list their smoker "definitions." Do you homework and protect your families. Cheers!

[sheppsea]

If something happened you now and it turns out they would now class you as a smokier would this void your insurance? Would they say it's down to you to inform them of changes in your lifestyle?

I contacted my insurance company to ask this very question - their response was:

"I can confirm that if somebody on the policy were to start smoking this would not affect your policy in any way. Providing the details you gave during the application process were correct and you keep paying premiums."

I would say its worth contacting your company to check - it is better safe than sorry, especially if you have people you want to make sure are okay if the worse does happen

[earthson]

Mouth swab can detect from 2-10 days past last use of tobacco. Most companies do not currently differentiate between occasional and chronic use. It's a cheap, currently legal way to avoid paying claims.