- Guaranteed Acceptance Available: You will not be declined for burial insurance simply because you smoke or use tobacco products.
- No Physical Medical Exam: Policies are approved via simplified health questions with no blood, urine, or nicotine cotinine testing for final expense whole life.
- Pricing Difference: Tobacco users pay approximately 35%–50% more per month than non-smokers.
- 12-Month Non-Tobacco Window: If you quit smoking for 12 continuous months, you can re-apply or request a rate reduction to non-smoker pricing.
Burial insurance for smokers is widely available and fast to secure. While tobacco use increases monthly premiums due to higher actuarial mortality tables, seniors who smoke can easily qualify for permanent whole life protection with locked lifetime rates and no physical checkups.
Smoker vs. Non-Smoker Monthly Rates ($10,000 Whole Life)
Below is a realistic 2026 pricing comparison for $10,000 in level burial insurance between non-tobacco and tobacco users:
| Age | Women (Non-Smoker) | Women (Smoker) | Men (Non-Smoker) | Men (Smoker) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age 55 | $24 – $30/mo | $34 – $42/mo | $30 – $38/mo | $44 – $54/mo |
| Age 65 | $42 – $52/mo | $58 – $72/mo | $54 – $66/mo | $76 – $94/mo |
| Age 75 | $78 – $95/mo | $108 – $132/mo | $98 – $122/mo | $138 – $172/mo |
How Different Nicotine Products Are Categorized
- Cigarettes: Standard tobacco smoker rates apply across all carriers.
- Vapes & E-Cigarettes: Classified as tobacco use by 95% of life insurance underwriters due to nicotine content.
- Cigars & Pipes: Several specialized senior carriers allow non-smoker rates for occasional celebratory cigar or pipe smokers who test negative for regular cigarette use.
- Chewing Tobacco / Snuff: Generally rated as tobacco use, though a small group of carriers offer non-cigarette specialized tiers.
View Tobacco Burial Insurance Rates by State:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can smokers get burial insurance?
Yes. Tobacco users qualify for state-regulated burial insurance just like non-smokers. While smokers pay higher monthly premiums, approval is readily available through simplified-issue whole life policies with no medical exams.
How much more do smokers pay for burial insurance?
Smokers typically pay 35% to 50% more than non-smokers of the same age due to higher statistical health risks. For example, a 65-year-old non-smoker paying $50/month would pay approximately $70 to $75/month as a smoker for $10,000 in coverage.
How long do I need to quit smoking to get non-smoker rates?
Most life insurance companies require that you be 100% tobacco-free for at least 12 consecutive months to qualify for standard non-smoker pricing. If you quit after buying a policy, you can request a rate re-evaluation after 12 months.
Does vaping or chewing tobacco count as smoking for insurance?
Most major life insurers classify e-cigarettes, vaping, cigars, and smokeless tobacco as tobacco use. However, some specialized senior carriers offer non-tobacco rates for occasional cigar or pipe smokers.
Stay updated on senior life & burial rates
Add Senior Rate Registry to your preferred sources in Google Search & AI Overviews.
Ready to Get Your Quote?
Enter your details below to see your estimated rate and lock it in today.
State-Regulated Programs • No Medical Exam
Insurance premiums increase with age. Apply before your next birthday to lock in your lowest possible rate of for life in .
Securing coverage while healthy locks in your rate of for life. Once issued, your rate will never increase even if your health changes.
We're currently expanding coverage in your area.
View Guaranteed Issue Plans