There are many things that will make costs higher in life insurance.  One of the biggest factors of that is smoking. Traditionally, life insurance companies penalized smokers severely, due to their higher rate of mortality.  Because there are many health factors that are involved with smoking, the insurance costs more and makes a person more liable. This meant that if someone was a smoker and needed to purchase a life insurance policy, their life insurance premiums were likely to be as high as three times those of a non-smoker of the same age.

This has changed in recent years, as the life insurance market has grown more and more competitive. Life insurance is going to be needed, no matter what, whether a person is a smoker or not. The important thing is that smokers make such a large chunk of the population; insurance companies have realized that the needs of such a large population could not be ignored. Numerous insurance companies have opted to specialize in smoker life insurance, while others have adjusted their definition of what they define as a "smoker" in order to provide them with as many benefits as possible.  In the end, it means lower rates and costs for the smoker. It is important that a smoker shop around to find the best life insurance rates possible for their needs.

Someone is considered a smoker if nicotine is found in the urine sample at the medical examination required by the life insurance company. It is important to remember, however, that different companies have different classifications for what type of smoker a person might be. Depending on a person's classification, they will get different rate offers on their life insurance policy. These ratings will be affected by each person's general health, but also by how much they smoke. If a person smokes only two or three cigarettes a day, they will get a better offer than if someone that can finish an entire pack in the same time. Not all companies will have this distinction, so it is important that a heavy smoker find the one that matches their situation best.

Depending on the life insurance company, it is possible that one or two have adjusted their definition of a non smoker and that may result in a person being given the non-smoker rates. If a person smokes cigars or a pipe, they can be classified as a non-smoker. Many companies impose a limit on how many cigars per month are considered a non-smoker, so once again, it is best that someone shop around according to their particular needs.

The last factor to take into account is what happens to a person's premiums should they quit smoking. Insurance companies generally have a minimum period during which someone must not have smoked before they are willing to be considered a non-smoker. That period will vary greatly from one life insurance company to another. Some companies will only consider a person a non-smoker after they have stayed away from smoking for five years. Others will have a lower time frame.  It will depend on each person's situation and each life insurance company.