I have a exam scheduled in the next few weeks. I had smoked some cigars and cigarettes during a bachelor party not long ago. Should I postpone the medical exam? I am not a smoker and want the non smoker lower premium. Above that I do not want to be flagged for being one.

 

  • Michael M 1:01 am on November 8, 2009 Permalink

    Most life insurance companies will ask if you’ve used any kind of tobacco in the past X months (usually 12 months). If you explain to them when and why you smoked they make give you the non smoker rate or make you pay the smoker rate for a year, retake the nicotine test and then lower you down to the nonsmoker rate.

    I would advise you not to cover it up because I’ll guarantee you that life insurance fraud is much worse than being branded a smoker. Pay the rate you can get now honestly and then after you’ve been nicotine free for another year then go back and apply for a cheaper rate. If you need the insurance you don’t want to wait because you never know what might happen to you in the next year.

  • nicole s 1:01 am on November 8, 2009 Permalink

    They Absolutely would not be able to tell that you had smoked. You are considered a non-smoker. Even if you were a somewhat regular smoker, they would not be able to prove this without extensive exams, which they do not do. Nicotine leaves the body completely within less than 24 hours.

  • annalyzedgourds 1:01 am on November 8, 2009 Permalink

    You’ll be fine. Tobacco doesn’t show up in tests and there’s no way for anyone to tell if you are a smoker or not.

  • dcsteve2006 1:01 am on November 8, 2009 Permalink

    I am a life insurance broker that compares almost all companies to guarantee the lowest price (insure.com). The fact is that when the paramedic companies complete the physical, they will look for a specific nicotine metabolite called cotinine. Cotinine can stay in your system for up to a month after smoking a cigarette. If it has been less then that, you should either postpone the exam, or purchase a no-exam plan.