does anyone know what happens if you have a non smoke policy and die and they find out you smoked. do they refuse to pay out? my policies are non smoke but i smoke occasionally (usually in summer and give up in winter) LOOKED AT CHANGING TO A SMOKER POLICY BUT OBV PRICE SKY HIGH!sorry cap locked. they dont penalise for drinking so why so much for smoking? drinking causes death too- and jellybrain!

>my policies are non smoke but i smoke occasionally (usually in summer and give up in winter)

So really you are a smoker then and have given false details, but hey.............don't worry, they can't take you to court if they found out when you die, cos you'd be dead

Afraid I wouldnt risk it at all.
If you died can you imagine how much pain would be caused to your family trying to deal with you dying and then they got told your policc was obsolete. And have to llok into it to make sure the insurance company isnt scamming them. I wouldnt risk it!!!!!!
Check around, for a new insurance company.
I pay £10/month and get £100,000 if I die!!!!!!
If they found out, they would not pay out.
Lea :)

When we updated our policies I hit a problem and they increased the premium initially quoted.  I have arthritis, smoke and suffered from post natal deprssion after my first child was born so I took it all in good stride.  When the time came to take out something else the same happened so I rang them to see why but they wouldn't tell me because it was personal information abot the client (?) and told me to contact my doctor which I did, made an appointment and paid £10 for a report.  The findings were that I didn't weigh enough to satisfy their guidelines, so now if I have to do anything with insurance I add half a stone to my weight to keep the premium down.

It's quite simple - if you've given any false information then they won't pay up, so it's pointless having the insurance at all.

The cover may be more expensive when you smoke but at the moment you are throwing your premiums away for nothing which is even worse value :)

They will find any excuse not to pay out.  If you've given them false information this is all the evidence they need.  You do pay heavier premiums if you drink more than the recommended amount.  :rolleyes:

Why not give up smoking all together thereby leaving it a little longer for your family to claim on your life insurance.  Why risk the health problems smoking brings?  I watched my father die from a smoking related illness, over three painful years.  I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, let alone a member of my family. 

If you have "gilded the lily" in any insurance policy, then it is null and void - you have paid premiums on a false declaration, therefore the insurance company can keep your premiums and not pay out - same with car insurance, household policies....anything.

It is being discussed in insurance circles, to prosecute people who do falsify information.

Margot

I believe that to be classified as a non-smoker you need to have been a non-smoker for a year or again it is a no-pay situation.  seasonal smokers need not apply for exemption! lol!

A post mortem will show very clearly that you were a smoker, besides the outward signs! You should cancel your insurance if you're not going to be honest, as you are just throwing money away for nothing. As someone else said it would be very upsetting for your family to have to go through all this after your death. Chances are if you smoke you will die of a smoking related illness I'm afraid.

i didnt falsify imformation. for the first 6 years of the policy i didnt smoke at all and i have had it 11 years. i havent smoked since new year but i can feel myself wanting to start now the weathers warm. i dont want to but i seem unable to stop starting again.any advise?

I bet you the policy requires you to notify them of any changes. If you haven't done so then your policy will be void.

Go to your doctor's surgery/health centre - there are lots of schemes out there, to help people kick the habit - from nicotine patches/pills to buddy systems - even hynosis - there are lots of people who really want to help you stop - or in your case not start again.

Just think - hair smelling like an ashtray ......staining on your fingers (not to even contemplate your lungs ) AND the cost of it all.......   You've managed so well for so long, you don't want to drop back.

Good luck - we'll be here for you!

Margot

Have you seen your Doctor about giving up?  People who give up using GP supervision, clinics etc have been shown to have a 40% better chance of succeeding.
I'm afraid if you didn't inform the insurance company that you started again after 6 years you did falsify information because insurance policies always stipulate that you notifiy them of significant changes that will affect cover and not just at the next renewal.

Smoking occasionally and claiming you don't for insurance purposes is FRAUD.  People everywhere who are looking for lower premiums should thank you.  You pay premiums which will probably never be realized in a claim, because of your fraud.  Insurance companies love people like you.  You pay them and they likely will not pay you.  You are helping the rest of us out.  Your premiums will help to pay out on the claims of those who did not commit fraud.

Hi,

I don't know what is an average cost for life insurance, but as a smoker, both myself and OH (who also smokes) pay jointly a few pence over £40 per month for life and critical illness cover.

I don't think that's too steep, but then I don't know what others are paying, but it might be an idea to shop around for quotes, the highest we had was close to £100 a month, for exactly the same cover we have in place now!

Claire