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Buy Life Insurance While Smoking Unlimited Cigars (Without Smoker Rates) – Top Quotes in the Market
- mattmims
- 6 hours ago
- 5 min read
Life Insurance for Cigar Smokers: Buy Coverage While Smoking Unlimited Cigars Without Smoker Rates
Most people assume that if you smoke cigars, you will automatically be charged smoker rates when applying for life insurance.
That is not always true.
There are several life insurance companies in the U.S. that allow applicants to smoke cigars and still qualify for non-smoker pricing. In some cases, individuals can smoke unlimited cigars and still avoid being rated as a smoker as long as they meet the carrier’s underwriting guidelines.
This creates one of the best deals for cigar smokers buying life insurance in today’s market.
Instead of paying the extremely high tobacco rates most insurers charge, cigar smokers who apply with the right companies may qualify for standard or preferred non-tobacco pricing.
At LifeStein.com, we shop the entire life insurance market to identify which companies are currently offering the best deal for cigar smokers buying life insurance.
The Best Deal for Cigar Smokers Buying Life Insurance
Smoking cigars does not carry the same underwriting risk profile as smoking cigarettes. Because of this, a small number of insurers treat cigar use differently.
Some companies allow:
Occasional cigar smoking
Regular cigar smoking
In some cases unlimited cigars when buying life insurance
The key factor is whether the applicant uses cigarettes or other daily tobacco products. If cigar use is isolated and the applicant has strong health metrics, certain insurers may still offer non-smoker life insurance rates.
However, choosing the wrong company can immediately trigger a tobacco rating, which can double or even triple the price of a policy.
This is why working with a broker that understands cigar underwriting rules can make a massive difference in the price you pay.
LifeStein compares pricing across 188 life insurance companies to find the carriers that currently offer the most competitive rates for cigar smokers.
2026 Life Insurance Rates for Cigar Smokers (20-Year Term)
Below is a summary of the average monthly cost for men who qualify for non-smoker rates even though they smoke cigars.
These rates represent the top quotes available in the U.S. market for a 20-year term policy.
Age | $1M Coverage | $2M Coverage | $3M Coverage |
25 | $55 | $103 | $154 |
30 | $60 | $114 | $170 |
35 | $71 | $136 | $204 |
40 | $99 | $193 | $293 |
45 | $149 | $292 | $436 |
50 | $232 | $460 | $685 |
55 | $364 | $722 | $1,079 |
60 | $661 | $1,314 | $1,966 |
What the Data Shows
The pricing above highlights several important trends:
1. Age is the biggest pricing factor
A healthy 25-year-old cigar smoker who qualifies for non-tobacco rates may pay roughly $55 per month for $1 million in coverage.
By age 60, the same coverage increases to roughly $661 per month.
2. Avoiding smoker rates creates massive savings
If the same applicant were rated as a tobacco user, premiums could easily double or triple.
For example:
Age 40 Male – $1M Coverage
Non-Smoker Rate $99/month
Typical Smoker Rate $250–$320/month
Over a 20-year policy, avoiding smoker classification could save tens of thousands of dollars.
3. Higher coverage scales proportionally
Many cigar smokers looking for estate planning or family protection purchase larger policies.
Typical pricing examples include:
$2 million policy at age 40: about $193/month
$3 million policy at age 40: about $293/month
This makes high coverage levels surprisingly affordable when you qualify for non-smoker underwriting even with cigar smoking.
Unlimited Cigars When Buying Life Insurance: The Catch
While some companies appear extremely cigar-friendly, there are still underwriting rules.
Most carriers require:
Disclosure of cigar use on the application
A medical exam or lab test
Confirmation that cigarettes are not used
If nicotine levels appear extremely high or cigarette use is detected, the applicant will usually be moved to tobacco rates.
Honesty on the application is critical. Misrepresenting tobacco use can result in policy cancellation or claim denial.
Why LifeStein Finds the Best Deal for Cigar Smokers
Applying directly with a single life insurance company can be risky if you smoke cigars.
If that company automatically classifies cigar users as tobacco, the application may receive a smoker rating immediately.
LifeStein works differently.
We shop pricing across 188 life insurance companies and identify the carriers currently offering the best deal for cigar smokers buying life insurance.
Instead of guessing which insurer will treat cigar use favorably, we identify the companies most likely to offer:
Non-smoker pricing
Competitive premiums
Fast approvals
This allows cigar smokers to obtain the lowest rates available in the market.
Compare the Best Life Insurance Quotes for Cigar Smokers
Cigar smokers often assume life insurance will be expensive.
In reality, many applicants can still qualify for excellent non-smoker pricing, even if they smoke cigars regularly.
The key is working with a broker that understands which insurers offer the most competitive underwriting for cigar use.
LifeStein allows you to compare quotes across dozens of companies to find the best offer.
Start comparing the best life insurance quotes for cigar smokers today at LifeStein.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About Life Insurance for Cigar Smokers
Can you smoke cigars and still qualify for non-smoker life insurance rates?
Yes. Several life insurance companies allow cigar smokers to qualify for non-smoker rates. These insurers treat cigars differently than cigarettes and may still offer standard or preferred non-tobacco pricing if the applicant has strong health metrics and does not smoke cigarettes.
Do life insurance companies test for cigar smoking?
Yes. Most policies require a medical exam and lab work, which includes testing for nicotine. However, many companies understand that nicotine can come from cigars and still allow applicants to qualify for non-smoker pricing depending on their underwriting guidelines.
Can you smoke unlimited cigars and still avoid smoker rates?
Some life insurance companies allow unlimited cigar smoking without automatically assigning smoker rates, especially if the applicant does not smoke cigarettes and has strong health metrics. Each insurer has different rules, which is why comparing companies is important.
Why do some companies rate cigar smokers as smokers?
Many insurers use strict underwriting rules that classify any nicotine use as tobacco use. If you apply with one of these companies, you will automatically receive smoker rates. Other companies are more flexible and treat cigar smoking differently.
How much more expensive are smoker life insurance rates?
Smoker rates are typically 2 to 3 times higher than non-smoker rates. For example, a healthy 40-year-old male buying $1 million of coverage might pay about $99 per month at non-smoker rates, while smoker rates could range from $250 to $320 per month.
What companies are most friendly to cigar smokers?
Several life insurance companies have historically been more flexible for cigar smokers, including:
Banner Life
Protective
Symetra
Pacific Life
Corebridge
Principal
Lincoln Financial
Nationwide
Securian
Cincinnati
Prudential
John Hancock
These companies may allow cigar smokers to qualify for non-smoker life insurance pricing depending on the applicant’s overall health profile.
Should you disclose cigar use on a life insurance application?
Yes. Applicants should always disclose cigar use on a life insurance application. Failing to disclose tobacco use can lead to policy cancellation or claim denial if the insurer later discovers the information.
How can cigar smokers find the best life insurance rates?
The best approach is to compare quotes from companies that offer cigar-friendly underwriting. LifeStein compares pricing across 188 life insurance companies, helping cigar smokers find the most competitive rates available in the market.
Matt Mims
Founder of LifeStein.com
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