Oftentimes, those who have health related ailments don't think they can qualify for life insurance. But this type of insurance is one of the most important options for families. If you were to pass away, your family would potentially suffer financially. If you have a solid life insurance plan in place, though, they would likely have access to the funds they need to maintain their quality of life — even in the event of your passing.
But what if you are a smoker? Can you obtain life insurance?
If you smoke, your chances of dying at an earlier age are higher. This is why many smokers have a hard time qualifying for life insurance policies. It’s not impossible; it’s just more costly to obtain.
If you plan to obtain life insurance as a smoker, here are a few things to keep in mind.
- Term life insurance plans are often available to smokers. These plans are in place for shorter periods of time, but can help to cover you while you have dependents or a high level of debt (like a mortgage) to pay off.
- These policies are more expensive for smokers than non-smokers because you are a higher risk for the insurer.
- You will need to compare policies carefully. You may not qualify for all types of term life insurance, or all policies from all agents.
Another key thing to keep in mind is that you may be able to make a change. If you can quit smoking and remain smoke free for some time, you could to qualify for better insurance policies — including longer term life insurance at lower rates. Not everyone will be able to do this, but you should take into consideration the benefits of quitting.
Take the time to look into term life insurance, even if you are a smoker. Many companies offer these policies, though they might not offer them with the lowest insurance raters. However, if you are in overall good health and relatively young, you may still qualify. Most importantly, be honest with your insurance agent about your health and smoking habits; this way, you won’t pay into a policy only to find out later that your family cannot collect on it.
Find the right coverage today. Call Stastny Insurance Agency at 800-864-2645 for more information on the Baltimore life insurance policies we offer.