Term Insurance Plans for Smokers

December 02, 2016

There have been cases wherein customers hide the fact that they smoke from insurance companies. However, a health check-up, which is a pre-requisite for a term insurance plan, is sure to reveal the truth. It will also further complicate your policy claim if the insurer finds this out, once you’ve passed away.

All smokers do not have the same smoking habits and insurance companies understand this. That is why they have categorized smokers into three types:

• Preferred Smoker

  A preferred smoker is someone who apart from smoking is overall fit. The premium for this type of smoker is the least.

• Typical smoker

  This is the kind of smoker with a minor lingering health issue. The premiums charged in this case will be slightly higher as compared to a preferred smoker.

• Table rated smoker

  This is a smoker who has an obvious health condition owing to smoking. The premium this kind of a smoker pays on his term insurance plan is generally the highest among all three types. This is because the person already has a health issue and the insurance company looks to minimize its risks.

A term insurance for a non-smoker and a smoker are significantly different from each other. Here are a few things you should know before you buy term insurance for a smoker:

• Minimum age

  The minimum age to buy a term insurance for a smoker is 18 years.

• Maximum age

  The maximum age until which a smoker may get coverage is 75 years.

• Minimum term

  A smoker’s term insurance policy is a minimum of 5 – 10 years.

• Maximum term

  The maximum term of the insurance policy may span anywhere between 30 – 40 years

• Sum assured

  The minimum sum assured on a smoker’s plan is INR 3 lakh. The maximum may span up to the amount the insured requests.

• Premium payments

  The premiums in a smoker’s term insurance policy need to be paid annually.

• Eligibility

  Such term plans are only valid for Indian citizens who reside within the country.

• Maturity of the plan

  In case the insured outlives the maturity of the policy, the person does not receive any benefits for the same

If you are looking to buy term insurance policy for a smoker, then the HDFC Life Click 2 Protect Life is a great option to consider. It secures your family in case death, disease, or disability strikes you. This plan is a highly cost-effective and comprehensive one, which makes sure that your family is well taken care of when you are gone.