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Can I Still Get Life Insurance If I Only Smoke Cigars Occasionally?
- mattmims
- Sep 18, 2025
- 3 min read
Buying Life Insurance with Cigar Use
👉 Quick Solution: If you smoke cigars occasionally, some life insurance companies may still approve you at non-smoker rates. Get started here: Life Insurance for Cigar Smokers. This bring you to a quote form for a free quote from LifeStein.com. We shop you throughout the entire life insurance market and email you the quote for free.
Enjoying Cigars Once in a While – What It Means for Life Insurance
Plenty of people enjoy a cigar here and there — maybe at weddings, on the golf course, or during special occasions. But when it’s time to apply for life insurance, you might wonder:
Does an occasional cigar make me a “smoker”?
Will I have to pay triple the price?
Can I still get non-smoker rates?
The truth is, it depends on the company. Some life insurance carriers automatically classify any tobacco use as smoking. But others are more flexible and may approve you as a non-smoker if you meet certain conditions.
How Life Insurance Companies Classify Cigar Use
When underwriting your application, insurers ask about your tobacco and nicotine use. Here’s how cigar use is usually treated:
Default rule: Most companies will put cigar users in the “smoker” category.
The exception: A handful of carriers allow non-smoker rates if:
You only smoke cigars occasionally (for example, 1 cigar per month or less).
You test negative for nicotine/cotinine in your blood or urine test.
You disclose your cigar use honestly.
This is why choosing the right company matters — not all insurers view cigars the same way.
Why “Occasional” Still Matters in Underwriting
Even if you’re not a daily smoker, insurers want to know the details of your cigar use. During the application process, expect questions like:
How often do you smoke cigars?
Do you inhale, or just puff?
Do you also use cigarettes, dip, or nicotine pouches?
💡 Honesty is crucial. If you lie about cigar use and later fail a nicotine test, your application could be declined or your policy canceled. Answering truthfully can make the difference between paying smoker rates and qualifying for Preferred Non-Smoker pricing.
The Best Life Insurance Companies for Cigar Smokers
LifeStein works with every major life insurance company in the U.S. — including carriers known for being cigar-friendly. These companies sometimes offer non-smoker rates for occasional cigar users:
Legal & General (Banner Life)
Pacific Life
Symetra
Protective
Penn Mutual
Principal
Mutual of Omaha
Corebridge
And many more
Since underwriting rules change often, it’s important to work with a broker like LifeStein that can match your profile to the right company.
Real Story – Andy W. from Texas
Andy enjoyed a cigar a few times a year with friends. His local agent told him he would have to pay smoker rates, which nearly tripled his premiums.
When Andy came to LifeStein, we placed him with a carrier that allows occasional cigar use as long as nicotine tests are clean. He locked in Preferred Non-Smoker rates and saved more than $1,800 per year.
Key Tips for Cigar Users Applying for Life Insurance
If you smoke cigars occasionally and want the best chance at non-smoker rates, here are a few tips:
✅ Be honest about your cigar use — it won’t always disqualify you.
✅ Time your exam wisely — avoid cigars for 2–3 weeks before your life insurance medical exam to test nicotine-free.
✅ Work with a broker like LifeStein that understands cigar underwriting rules.
✅ Compare quotes — the difference between smoker and non-smoker pricing can be thousands per year.
Conclusion: You Can Still Qualify for Affordable Coverage
So, can you get life insurance if you only smoke cigars occasionally? Yes. In fact, you may even qualify for non-smoker rates if you apply through the right company and test nicotine-free.
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