Vaping? Life Insurance for E-Cigarette Users

There has been some debate recently about e-cigarettes, or vaping as it is being called, and what rates the users should pay for Life Insurance. Until recently there have been circumstances where one of the mainstream UK insurance providers would offer non-smoker rates if somebody has solely used e-cigarettes for 12 months or more. A recent press article caused the insurance company to review their process and start charging smoker rates for vapers just like they would for cigarette smokers.

In order to qualify for non-smoker rates you must not have used any tobacco or nicotine products for at least 12 months, one insurance company disregards nicotine products but then asks if you smoke (so e-cigs need mentioning). Regardless of the product you use, e-cigarettes and personal vaporizers (PV) need to be declared as you are still technically smoking. With most insurance providers you are classed as a smoker if you have used any of the following products within the last 12 months:

• Pipe tobacco
• Cigarettes
• E-Cigarettes
• Cigars
• Nicotine gum and patches
• Tobacco use for cannabis smoking
• Snuff or chewing tobacco

There is currently one insurer who will offer non-smoker rates to individuals who have not used tobacco products (or e-cigarettes) within the last 12 months, but have used:

• Nicotine gum
• Nicotine patches

Edit: 01/05/2015 – The insurer who allowed non smoker rates to nicotine users (not using tobacco) has changed their stance and now class all nicotine use the same as smoking.

There is still debate in the industry over what should happen with vaping but we are unlikely to see positive changes from the insurers until the long term health affects of e-cigarettes are seen.

It is still possible for vapers to get good prices for e-cigarette Life Insurance even on smoker rates. To get an quote online please visit our quote page to see how much Life Insurance could cost for you.

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