The Global Youth Tobacco Survey by the World Health Organization says that ten lakh deaths occur in India due to smoking. Despite the government's efforts and awareness campaigns, people suffer from many health issues from smoking. Here, health insurance for smokers can provide financial assistance in case of covered medical treatment. In this article, we shed light on things you need to know about health insurance for smokers.
Plans start at just ₹21/day*.
We pay 100% of your hospital bills
From syringes to surgeries
No limit on hospital room rent
No compromises on recovery
Smokers might be under the misconception that they are not eligible to apply for health insurance. Not true! Smokers are eligible to apply for health insurance just like non-smokers provided they meet the criteria set by insurers. For example, clearing the pre-policy check-up requirements.
Smoking causes critical illnesses. Smokers are prone to respiratory diseases such as lung cancer and chronic pulmonary diseases. As health insurance offers financial protection in case of health-related mishaps, smokers can find it useful.
Buying a health policy has several benefits. The following are some of them.
The financial load can be incredibly stressful during times of illness. It can be difficult to cover healthcare expenses out of your funds given their growing costs. Thus, it is crucial to prepare for medical emergencies. The highest benefit of health insurance for smokers is the financial support during a medical emergency as the insurance company takes care of the medical expenses when the smoker becomes ill.
Usually, you must undergo pre-medical tests in order to qualify for health insurance because they play a significant role in evaluating your eligibility. Additionally, the cost of a full-body check-up at a medical facility can cost thousands of rupees. This is an added stress on the finances. However, you can get a free health check-up once a year (depending upon the term of your health insurance policy) to determine your current health status.
Section 80D of the Income Tax Act 1961 allows one to claim tax exemption benefits while buying health insurance plans. The tax benefit can range from Rs. 25,000 to more than Rs. 1 lakh, depending upon the type of health insurance plan and the number of members insured under the policy. Note that the tax calculations are subject to changes.
If your smoking or other forms of tobacco consumption is higher, your insurance premiums might become expensive. The following are facts you should know before applying for health insurance
Smoking e-cigarettes or other forms of vaporisers also fall within the definition of a smoker.
Insurers never ask questions like "How many cigarettes do you smoke in a day?" However, you may have to take medical tests. The test’s results will help the insurance companies to decide on the premium coverage.
Smoking affects your health insurance premium in the following ways.
The cost of health insurance is high for frequent smokers as the risk of insuring them is high for the insurer.
The health insurance premiums of smokers are primarily fixed based on five parameters. They are location, age, number of dependents, plan, and tobacco use.
The difference in policy costs depends on the frequency of smoking. If the buyer smokes many cigarettes in a day or week, they pay higher.
Also, read: Health insurance for family
As per the National Library of Medicine, the health insurance cost for smokers is 30% to 40% higher than that of non-smokers. Because of their higher health risks, smokers must pay a higher premium for health insurance.
Also, according to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), an insurance buyer is categorised as a smoker if they have consumed tobacco in the last 12 years from the date of application.
Smoking will raise the cost of your health insurance premium, but you shouldn't let that deter you from purchasing a policy. Smokers may have a variety of major health problems, making this financial security crucial for them in the event of a medical emergency.
Technically, a smoker is someone who consumes nicotine in any form, according to health insurance providers.
Suppose a smoker has a pre-existing ailment (diabetes or hypertension). In that case, whether or not it is related to their smoking habit, insurers may request further medical testing to disclose any health consequences. The premium will then be determined based on the severity of these health issues. Furthermore, a 1 to 4 year waiting period may be imposed before these pre-existing conditions are covered under health insurance. This period is the same for smokers and nonsmokers. However, smokers may have to pay more premium than non-smokers.
Do not hide your tobacco use details from the insurance provider. Disclose your smoking habits while applying for the insurance policy. Hiding such information may cause legal trouble. The insurance companies find your tobacco consumption habits through the medical examinations they conduct before issuing the insurance. The insurance company will reject your application if you lie about your smoking habits.
Smokers are more prone to health complications. The serious ill effects of smoking are Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and many more. Thus, the cost of insuring smokers is high. You can reduce this cost of insurance by lessening your smoking frequency. The best way to buy an economical health insurance policy is to reduce smoking. This not only improves your finances but also your health
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers on health insurance premiums for smokers.
One of the best ways to develop a strong and reliable financial safety net is through term life insurance the simplest kind of life insurance In addition to basic coverage, many term life insurance policies allow you to add riders for extra benefits. These optional riders can include an accidental death benefit, critical illness rider, and disability income rider.
If you are looking for high coverage, the best term insurance plan for 1 crore is an affordable yet effective option. With this coverage, your family can maintain financial stability and continue to live comfortably even in your absence. You can also use a term policy calculator a valuable tool that simplifies the process of choosing the right plan. This tool allows you to adjust factors like coverage, premiums, and policy term to find the option that best suits your needs and budget.
2.5K Linkedin Followers 
Reviewed by Dr. Harshita Dahiya 
Acko Technology & Services Private Limited
#36/5, Hustlehub One East, Somasandrapalya, 27th Main Rd, Sector 2, HSR Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560102
Products 
Company
Legal
Support
Car Insurance 
Bike Insurance
Health Insurance
Group Health Insurance
Travel Insurance
Life Insurance
