skip to Main Content
1-615-376-8899 Email Us

About 12 years ago, I met with John, a 57 year old client who wanted additional life insurance. He was an avid outdoorsman, impressively fit and seemingly the epitome of exceptional health. In the interview I learned that he dipped tobacco and when I quoted him prices, he balked at the tobacco rating. He insisted he was in “excellent” health and was not willing to pay the 50% additional premium that was required of “nicotine users,” so he passed.

Living in the south, it’s not unusual for me to come across folks who enjoy dip, or chewing tobacco as some call it. When I was in high school in the late 70’s it was perfectly acceptable to have a “pinch between your cheek and gum” while in class. I remember 16 year old boys with a half-full spit cup while the teacher lectured. Sounds gross, and to the girls it mostly was. Although things have certainly changed since those days so many years ago, chewing tobacco remains popular in many circles.

So what if you want to purchase life insurance and you like the occasional or even daily use of smokeless tobacco? For most companies, this will result in a tobacco rating. If you check rates on our calculator, you will notice that a tobacco rated policy can carry a substantial increase in price, especially in age brackets 40 and above.

Here’s the good news. I know of two top rated companies in the industry that will now routinely offer a Standard Non-Tobacco rating for dip use. You must disclose that you dip on the application or the non-tobacco rating will not be offered if nicotine is discovered in the exam. This can mean literally thousands of dollars in savings over the course of your term and sometimes can be the difference in one taking the policy or not. I didn’t have this option when I met with John and because he thought the tobacco rates were “unfair and ridiculous for someone as healthy as me,” he did not fill out an application. I kept in touch with John because he became a health insurance client and in 2010 he was diagnosed with Leukemia and passed away a short time after at the age of 65. In hindsight, he would have surely purchased the life policy we discussed, with a tobacco rating, had he only known of his short time left.

At findAterm.com, you will benefit from our nearly 20 years of experience in helping you find the right policy at the right price. We will do our best to match you to a company that offers you the lowest premium for your situation.

Find out how much Life Insurance should really cost!

Free Unlimited Quotes. In Just 10 Seconds!
Back To Top