| If you're a smoker, you may think that you can't get | | | | you're in good health (as defined by the insurance |
| quality term life insurance coverage. In the highly | | | | company.) If you want quality coverage, be sure to tell |
| competitive insurance marketplace, companies are | | | | the truth on your application. Otherwise, there's a good |
| beginning to realize that smokers are a large market | | | | chance that no benefits will paid if you die. |
| segment who are willing to pay elevated (but not | | | | If you stop smoking, eventually you may be able to |
| excessively so) premiums for term life insurance | | | | qualify for lower non-smoker rates. |
| coverage. Yes, you'll have to admit that you smoke | | | | Your insurance company may have a sliding scale that |
| and yes, you'll have to take a medical exam, but since | | | | reduces premiums according to the amount of time |
| 1 in 4 Americans smoke, you won't be alone. | | | | you've been smoke-free. If it doesn't, it would make |
| The fact that you smoke can be determined by a | | | | sense to shop around for a company that does. At |
| urine test that measures nicotine levels. Depending on | | | | the very least, your company should change your |
| the level, you might be classified as a light, moderate or | | | | status from standard to preferred when you quit |
| heavy smoker and be charged accordingly. Some | | | | smoking. |
| companies, however, do not make this distinction, and | | | | Stopping smoking is the right thing to do for both you |
| smokers are counseled to seek out companies that | | | | and your family. You should be rewarded with better |
| do. Smoking cigars and pipes and chewing tobacco | | | | health, longer life and lower term life insurance |
| don't rule you out, either. In fact, you may be classified | | | | premiums if you do. Be honest, shop around and you'll |
| differently, in a more positive way as a "preferred" | | | | be surprised how low those premiums can be. |
| smoker rather than a "standard" one, especially if | | | | |