Cheapest Life Insurance for Smokers: How to Find the Lowest Rates (2025 Guide)
Last Updated: November 29, 2025 | Written by President of Term Life Online – AU, AAI, ARM
Finding cheap life insurance as a smoker isn’t impossible—you just need to know how insurers think, how pricing works, and where the "loopholes’" are that most smokers never use.
Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, e-cigs, marijuana, or nicotine replacement products, this guide shows you exactly how to secure the lowest possible rates without sacrificing coverage.
Why Life Insurance Costs More for Smokers
Insurance companies charge smokers more because nicotine use is linked to higher long-term health risks. But what most people don’t realize is that…
- Pricing varies wildly from company to company
- Different nicotine types are treated differently
- Some insurers have special smoker-friendly categories
- You may qualify for non-smoker pricing even if you still use nicotine
This guide breaks down every strategy to cut your rates as much as 50%.
The 6 Fastest Ways Smokers Can Get the Cheapest Life Insurance
1. Apply with a "Smoker-Friendly" Insurance Company
Not all insurers price nicotine the same. Some punish smokers heavily; others price fairly. If your goal is lowest cost, your company choice matters more than anything else.
Smoker-friendly insurers typically offer:
- Lower nicotine surcharges
- More flexible underwriting
- Favorable cigar, vape, or marijuana classifications
- Easier approvals
We highlight the cheapest companies later in this guide.
2. Use an Independent Broker—Never Apply Directly
If you apply directly to one insurer, you’re stuck with their rates—even if they're terrible for smokers.
An independent broker can:
- Shop 15–30 insurers at once
- Match you with the one that treats your nicotine type best
- Prevent "over-insurance" that inflates cost unnecessarily
- Guide you to the fastest approval (even same day)
The cheapest quote usually comes from this approach—not DIY shopping.
3. Choose Term Instead of Whole Life If Price Is the Priority
If you're looking for the lowest monthly premium, term life is the cheapest option by far.
Policy Type Best For Cost for Smokers
Term Life Lowest monthly price Cheapest
Whole Life Lifelong coverage + cash value Expensive
Guaranteed Issue High-risk or older people Moderate – High
If budget matters most, term is easily the winner.
4. Avoid "Daily Smoker" Classification if You’re Not One
Many people are surprised that:
- Cigar smokers can qualify for non-smoker rates
- Vapers can get better-than-smoker rates
- Marijuana smokers may be treated as non-smokers
- Nicotine patch/gum users often qualify for non-smoker pricing
You never want to be incorrectly coded as a "daily cigarette smoker" if you aren’t one.
5. Improve Only the Factors That Matter Most for Smokers
You don’t need to overhaul your health—you just need to focus on what insurers weigh heavily for smoker ratings.
Top factors that directly lower your price:
- Height/weight
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- A1C or glucose
- Family history (nothing you can change, but affects insurer choice)
A few small health improvements can drop your premiums by 20%+—even while smoking.
6. Quit for 12 Months (Optional—but big savings)
If you quit smoking for 12 months, most insurers will move you to non-smoker pricing—immediately lowering your premiums 40–60%.
However…
If you’re planning to quit soon, you can:
- Get a policy now while healthy
- Reapply later as a non-smoker
- Cancel the old policy once cheaper rates kick in
This avoids the "wait a year with no coverage" trap.
Top 4 Cheapest Life Insurance Companies for Smokers (2025)
These companies consistently offer the lowest smoker rates based on age, tobacco type, and coverage needs.
1. Mutual of Omaha (Best Overall for Cigarette + Nicotine Users)
Why it's cheap for smokers:
- Very fair pricing for daily nicotine users
- Flexible underwriting for older adults
- Friendly toward occasional cigar use
- Strong financial stability
Best for: smokers who want affordability and reliability.
2. Banner Life (Legal & General)
Why it’s cheap for smokers:
- Some of the lowest term rates for cigarette smokers
- Very competitive for ages 20–55
- Generous underwriting for health conditions
- High coverage amounts available
Best for: smokers shopping for the absolute cheapest term pricing.
3. AIG/Corebridge(Best for Older Smokers)
Why it’s cheap for smokers:
- Excellent rates for smokers 50–70
- Flexible nicotine classification
- Good for applicants with health issues
- Broad policy options
Best for: older nicotine users who want to save more than with standard carriers.
4. Protective Life
Why it’s cheap for smokers:
- Strong pricing for occasional smokers
- Long-term guarantees
- Frequent smoker-friendly underwriting exceptions
- Consistently low premiums
Best for: smokers who want cheaper premiums on longer-term policies.
How Much Does Life Insurance Cost for Smokers?
Pricing depends on age, health, and nicotine frequency, but here’s a general idea for a $250,000 20-year term policy.
Age Non-Smoker Smoker Difference
30 $14-$18/mo $28-$45/mo 2-3x
40 $19-$28/mo $48-$75/mo 2.5-3x
50 $45-$60/mo $110-$180/mo 2-3x
60 $110-$150/mo $250-$400/mo 2-3x
But with smoker-friendly companies, these differences shrink dramatically.
Which Type of Smoker Are You? (This Determines Your Price)
Cigarette Smokers
Most expensive category, but some insurers specialize in lower cigarette rates.
Cigar Smokers
Many insurers offer non-smoker pricing if:
- Use is occasional
- You don’t inhale
No nicotine shows on labs (sometimes optional)
Vapers
Increasingly treated separately from cigarette smokers.
Depending on the insurer, you may qualify for:
- Non-smoker
- "Nicotine user" (cheaper than smoker)
- Smoker (worst-case)
Marijuana Smokers
- Most insurers treat marijuana like alcohol—not tobacco.
- Often eligible for non-smoker pricing.
Nicotine Replacement Users (patch/gum/lozenges)
Many insurers classify this as non-smoker use.
How to Get the Lowest Rates Step-by-Step
Step 1 — Decide on your coverage need
Most smokers choose:
- $100K–$500K coverage
- 10-, 20-, or 30-year term
Step 2 — Compare smoker-friendly insurers
Rates can differ by 200%.
Step 3 — Disclose nicotine accurately
Avoid misclassification—but never over-disclose.
Step 4 — Take the medical exam if you’re healthy
Healthy smokers may get lower rates with an exam.
Step 5 — Lock in your rate now, even if you plan to quit
You can always re-shop later.
FAQs: Cheapest Life Insurance for Smokers
1. Can smokers get affordable life insurance?
Yes—especially by applying with smoker-friendly insurers.
2. What is the cheapest type of life insurance for smokers?
Term life offers the lowest monthly cost.
3. What if I only smoke occasionally?
You may qualify for non-smoker pricing with the right insurer.
4. Do vapers pay smoker rates?
Not always. Many companies use separate pricing.
5. Should I wait to quit before buying coverage?
No—get coverage now, re-shop later after 12 smoke-free months.
6. What if I test positive for nicotine but don’t smoke?
You can still get non-smoker rates if using NRT products.
7. Do marijuana users pay smoker rates?
Usually not; many insurers classify cannabis separately.
Final Thoughts: Smokers Can Still Find Cheap Life Insurance
Being a smoker doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying sky-high premiums. With the right insurer, strategy, and timing, you can secure shockingly affordable rates—often far lower than expected.
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Resources:
- Learn How a Term Life Insurance Policy Works
- FAQs for Smoker’s Term Life Insurance
- Who is Considered a Smoker for Life Insurance?
- How Do Life Insurance Companies Know If You Smoke?
- Do Life Insurance Companies Test for Nicotine?
- Life Insurance for Marijuana Smokers
- Cheapest No Medical Exam Life Insurance for Smokers
- Tips for Buying a Term Life Insurance Policy
- A.M. Best Company: Compare financial strength ratings of life insurance companies
- Life Happens.org: Learn about life insurance and review facts.
- Investopedia: Learn more about financial planning with term life insurance.
About Our Methodology
Reviewed By: President of Term Life Online – AU, AAI, ARM
- 30+ years of experience in insurance planning
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