Outdoor Sports News: E-cigarettes and your life insurance policy

We have known for decades that smoking is bad for our health – research has clearly shown that smoking increases the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung disease, among others.

Clyde Parsons, actuarial director of BrightRock, stated that this is why smoking rates in life insurance are higher than non-smoking rates.

“Smokers can pay more than double the premiums a non-smoker would pay, depending on factors such as age, previous medical conditions such as those mentioned above and how you have structured your policy.”

But did you know that regular e-cigarette users also pay smoking rates for life insurance?

Parsons highlighted why smoking tariffs are charged and what you can do about it.

Why do vapers get smoking rates??

E-cigarettes are battery operated products that deliver nicotine, flavor, and other chemicals. They convert chemicals, including nicotine, into an aerosol that the user inhales.

Most insurers in South Africa, including BrightRock, charge e-cigarette users the same fees as traditional tobacco smokers.

There are mutliple reasons for this. First, e-cigarettes like vapes contain smaller doses of nicotine and other harmful substances like ultra-fine particles, flavorings, and heavy metals.

Although nicotine levels are lower than traditional tobacco products, they still pose some risk to the long-term health of the user.

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However, some e-cigarettes can contain even more nicotine than regular flammable cigarettes.

Second, since e-cigarettes are still relatively new, insufficient research has been done to examine the health risks associated with their use.

However, some of the studies available show that e-cigarette use has been linked to an increased risk of chronic cough, bronchitis, and asthma.

E-cigarette smokers are also believed to be more prone to respiratory infections and poor cardiovascular health.

What if I vape because I want to quit smoking??

The World Health Organization, which has made it clear that e-cigarettes are harmful, said of the 1.1 billion smokers in the world that 60% want to quit.

Many tobacco smokers use e-cigarettes to help quit smoking.

When customers purchase life insurance with BrightRock, they ask if they smoke or use nicotine products other than cigarettes, such as cigars, pipes, hubbly bubblies, e-cigarettes, or even nicotine gum.

If customers have used any of these products in the 12 months prior to using them, they will be charged smoking rates.

This is because smokers – regardless of whether they inhale nicotine from flammable or e-cigarettes – are most likely to relapse within 12 months of quitting.

How do I get the tariffs for the non-smoking life insurance??

If you are one of the 600 million people worldwide who want to quit smoking right now, you will be pleased that this habit is worthwhile not only from a health perspective, but also from a life insurance premium perspective.

If you have not smoked or used nicotine products for 12 months, you can apply for non-smoking life insurance.

Your insurer will ask you to sign a non-smoking declaration and do a cotinine urine test.

If the test fails it can cut your premium by up to half, which is definitely worth considering at a time when everyone is watching their fringes and cents.

What if I have a policy and I start smoking or vaping??

The impact on your insurance coverage and your premiums depends on your insurer. At BrightRock, you don’t need to let them know when you start smoking or vaping, and it won’t affect your premiums or coverage.

If you started smoking after starting your policy, it will not affect your eligibility.

However, it is important to know that many insurers in the market require that you notify them when you start smoking or vaping.

If you don’t, they can reduce your claim or even deny it.

Information: BrightRock