Life Insurance For Smokers

If you are a smoker who has tried to get life insurance, you know just how difficult the process can be. Since there are several risks associate with smoking and because smoking has been linked to a number of life-threatening diseases and illnesses, insurance companies are often reluctant to provide policies to smokers. When a company does issue a policy, the premiums are generally quite costly.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help bring down your insurance rates so you can keep your family protected at a price you can afford.

Specify the Type of Tobacco Product You Are Using

The first step toward getting better insurance rates is to specify the type of tobacco product you are using. While there is no doubt that all forms of tobacco has a negative impact on a person's health, the type of tobacco you use and the frequency of your use can affect the rates you are quoted. In fact, it is possible to obtain non-smoker rates if you are a cigar smoker, a piper smoker, a social cigarette smoker or even if you chew tobacco. Therefore, it is important for you to be sure to communicate clearly with your insurance agent in order to obtain the best rates possible.

Choose an Agent Who Specializes in Life Insurance for Smokers

In order to have the best chance of getting a great quote, it is a good idea to work with an agent who specializes in obtaining life insurance for smokers. By working with a specialist agent, you can be sure that he or she will know the best insurance companies to contact in order to find the lowest rates. At the same time, make sure to contact several specialist agents. This way, you can obtain quotes from a variety of different sources and will have the greatest chance of obtaining a solid insurance plan at a reasonable rate.

Quit Smoking

An obvious way to get your rates reduced is to simply quit smoking. If you are having trouble with giving up the cigarettes, you might want to consider making an appointment with your doctor. He or she will be able to provide you with information about over-the-counter products so you can make an informed decision on which methods you should try to use. Or, if you aren't having success with these products, your doctor may be able to prescribe a medication that will help you kick the habit.

In some cases, the rates you get will depend upon how long it has been since you quit smoking. So, the sooner you give up the cigarettes, the better your chances of getting a lower rate will be. And, besides, quitting will help you save money while also reducing your chances of suffering from smoking-related illnesses - so, it is truly a win-win situation no matter how you look at it.