Life Insurance for Cigar Smokers – Occasional Tobacco Use and Your Premiums

Can You Get Life Insurance as a Cigar Smoker?

Yes! If you enjoy an occasional cigar, you can still qualify for life insurance. However, your smoking habits will directly impact your premiums. Insurance companies categorize applicants as either tobacco users or non-tobacco users, and where you fall depends on how often you smoke cigars and how insurers assess your risk.

Quick Answer: Can You Get Non-Smoker Rates as a Cigar Smoker?

Some life insurance companies will offer non-smoker rates to occasional cigar smokers. This is great news if you only indulge in a few cigars per year! The key factors insurers consider include:

• Frequency – How often you smoke cigars (e.g., one per month vs. daily)

• Nicotine Testing – Whether you test positive for nicotine in a medical exam

• Insurance Carrier – Some companies are more lenient toward occasional cigar use

If you qualify for non-smoker rates, you could save 50% or more compared to smoker-rated policies.

Real-Life Example: How Cigar Smoking Affects Life Insurance

John, a 42-year-old business owner, enjoys a cigar once a month with friends. When he applied for life insurance, he was initially quoted smoker rates, which would cost him $140 per month for a $500,000 policy. Knowing this seemed high, he contacted an independent agent at LifeStein.com, who matched him with an insurer that allowed up to 12 cigars per year without classifying him as a smoker. After retaking a nicotine test and confirming his limited cigar use, John qualified for non-smoker rates at just $55 per month, saving nearly $1,000 per year!

How Life Insurance Companies Classify Cigar Smokers

Each insurance provider has its own set of underwriting guidelines for cigar smokers. Below is a breakdown of how they typically classify applicants:

Best Life Insurance Companies for Cigar Smokers

Some insurers are more lenient than others when it comes to cigar smoking. The best companies for occasional cigar smokers include:

• Legal & General (Banner Life) – Allows up to 1 cigar per month without smoker rates

• Pacific Life – Offers non-smoker rates for up to 12 cigars per year

• Protective Life – Occasional cigar use allowed with a negative nicotine test

• Mutual of Omaha – More flexible underwriting for low-frequency cigar smokers

• Lincoln Financial – Can offer non-smoker rates depending on frequency

Each insurer evaluates risk differently, so shopping around is crucial!

How Cigar Smoking Affects Your Life Insurance Premiums

If you’re labeled as a “smoker,” you can expect to pay 2 to 4 times more than non-smokers for the same life insurance coverage. Below is a comparison of estimated monthly premiums:

This demonstrates why getting non-smoker rates as a cigar user can save you thousands over time.

Why Do Life Insurance Companies Charge Higher Premiums for Smokers?

Life insurance premiums are based on risk. Insurers use medical research and mortality tables to determine the likelihood of a policyholder passing away during the policy term. Studies have shown that smoking—even occasional cigar use—can lead to health issues like:

• Increased risk of heart disease

• Higher chances of developing lung or oral cancers

• Elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels

• Reduced lung function over time

Even if you’re otherwise healthy, the presence of nicotine in your system can automatically classify you as a smoker. That’s why choosing the right insurer is essential for cigar smokers who want the lowest rates possible.

How to Get the Best Life Insurance Rates as a Cigar Smoker

If you want to secure the best life insurance rates as a cigar smoker, follow these key steps:

1. Choose the Right Insurer

Not all life insurance companies treat cigar smokers the same way. Some will automatically label you a smoker, while others may offer non-smoker rates if your usage is occasional. Working with an independent agency like LifeStein.com ensures you apply with the right company.

2. Limit Your Cigar Use

If you smoke cigars more than once a week, expect smoker rates. Reducing your frequency to once per month or less can increase your chances of getting non-smoker rates.

3. Test Nicotine-Free

Most insurers require a medical exam, and part of that process includes testing for nicotine. If you test positive, you will likely be classified as a smoker—even if you only had one cigar before the test. Avoiding cigars long enough to test negative can significantly impact your premium.

4. Consider No-Exam Life Insurance

Some life insurance companies offer no-medical-exam policies, which may not test for nicotine at all. While these policies may have slightly higher premiums, they can be a good option for occasional cigar smokers looking to avoid a smoker classification.

5. Work With an Expert

At LifeStein.com, we specialize in finding life insurance for people with unique risk factors, including cigar smokers. We have access to multiple top-rated insurance companies and know which ones will offer the best rates based on your cigar use.

Common Myths About Cigar Smoking and Life Insurance

Myth #1: All Cigar Smokers Pay Smoker Rates

False! Many insurers offer non-smoker rates to occasional cigar smokers if they meet specific criteria.

Myth #2: You Must Quit Cigar Smoking to Get a Good Life Insurance Rate

Not necessarily. If you only smoke a few cigars per year and test negative for nicotine, you can still qualify for non-smoker rates.

Myth #3: There’s No Way to Avoid a Nicotine Test

Wrong. Some life insurance policies don’t require a medical exam, which means no nicotine testing at all.

Get a Life Insurance Quote for Cigar Smokers Today

If you smoke cigars occasionally and need life insurance, don’t assume you’ll be stuck with high smoker rates. At LifeStein.com, we work with top-rated insurers who offer fair pricing for cigar users.

Get started now: https://www.lifestein.com/cigar-smokers-life-insurance

With access to every major life insurance carrier in all 50 states, we’ll help you find the best policy for your needs. Get a free quote today!