Best Life Insurance Companies and Rates After Quitting Smoking 2023

Brian McHale last updated on March 22, 2024

Have you recently quit smoking cigarettes and are now looking to to find the best life insurance rates?

If so, then you’ve come to the right place.

We will show you the best life insurance companies for former smokers and show you the sample rates to help you find the best policy for your needs.

First, Congratulations! It’s not easy to quit smoking

If you recently quit smoking and are looking for a list of life insurance companies that will offer you the best rates in the country then you came to the right place. This post will go over: the definition of a smoker vs. non-smoker for life insurance purposes, exceptions and list the top life insurance companies companies in the country for those who recently quit smoking and their rates.

Definition of a non-smoker for life insurance

Life insurance companies define a non-tobacco user as someone who has quit smoking cigarettes for 12 months (1 year). That means you cannot have had one cigarette or any nicotine products during that time in order to qualify for a non-tobacco rate with any life insurance company.

Exceptions to receive a non-tobacco life insurance rate

Most companies do allow for the occasional cigar and it will not affect the rate, as long as you disclose it. There are a few companies that even allow unlimited cigars, chew, dip, nicotine gum, vape and can still be eligible for a non-tobacco rate (as long as there were no cigarettes used in the past 12 months).

Important tip

Important Tip: Make sure you disclose any tobacco or nicotine use to your life insurance agent so they can place you with the right life insurance company from the start. Also, disclose all tobacco and nicotine use on the application in order to qualify for the non-tobacco rate. Insurance companies don’t like surprises!

Underwriting after quitting smoking and life insurance

When it comes to underwriting former cigarette smokers, life insurance companies look to see that you have quit for at least 12 months, one full year. Subsequently, each year that you haven’t smoked improves your rate and health class, as seen below.

Let’s take a look at the life insurance companies that offer the best underwriting guidelines for former smokers

12 months (1 year) after quitting smoking

12 months (1 year) after quitting smoking (since you last smoked a cigarette) most life insurers will offer a Standard Plus or Standard health class. These companies include: Banner Life, AIG, Pacific Life, John Hancock, Symetra Life, SBLI, Prudential, Lincoln Financial and the majority of life insurance companies in the U.S.

24 months (2 years) after quitting smoking

24 months (2 years) after quitting smoking (since you last smoked a cigarette) there are several life insurance companies that offer the Preferred rating class. These companies include: Banner Life, Protective Life, Lincoln Financial, John Hancock and Transamerica.

36 months (3 years) after quitting smoking

36 months (3 years) after quitting smoking (since you last smoked a cigarette) Banner Life and Lincoln Financial will offer the top rate class, Preferred Plus, same rate class as if you never smoked.

48 months (4 years) after quitting smoking

48 months (4 years) after quitting smoking (since you last smoked a cigarette) same underwriting as 36 months.

60 months (5 years) after quitting smoking

60 months (5 years) after quitting smoking (since you last smoked a cigarette) most life insurance companies will offer the Preferred Plus rate class. This is the same rate you would be receive if you never smoked.

_{*The Preferred and Preferred Plus rates are available if you would otherwise qualify with build, health, etc.}

Be honest

It’s important to be truthful when it comes to disclosing when you quit smoking, the last time you had a cigarette or nicotine products. Life insurance policies have a two-year contestatinblty clause, meaning if you weren’t truthful on your application the insurance company can deny a claim in the first two years of the policy if they find misrepresentation. It’s not worth putting your family at risk to save a few dollars.

Temporary coverage option

If you recently quit smoking a month or even a few months ago, you can always, many will apply for a 10-year term policy with a tobacco rate (smoker-rate) then reapply for the non-tobacco rate in twelve months after they last smoked a cigarette. Those who use this strategy take advantage of both worlds. They have coverage now to protect their beneficiaries, then they reapply once they are twelve months tobacco free for the non-tobacco rates.

Reapply

At this time you can apply for the longer term such as 20 or 30 years since you will now have non-smoker rates. Since you can cancel a policy anytime without a penalty many will just go month-to-month until they hit the 1 year mark. This a popular strategy for many applicants that just very recently quit smoking but still do want to protect their family now so they are not without insurance protection.

Strategy

By using this strategy, you have life insurance now and are protecting your family at the best price! You pay a higher premium until you hit the one year mark when you last smoked, then you reapply for the non-smoker rates. Some also do the longer term now (15, 20, 30 years) to ‘hedge your bet’ in case their health changes during that time they are waiting to be 12 months tobacco free before they reapply for the non-tobacco rates.

Let’s take a look at the best life insurance companies and their rates after quitting smoking

Best life insurance companies and their rates after quitting smoking 2023

One year quit smoking (12 months) life insurance policy cost

Below are the available rates for someone who quit smoking 1 year ago (hasn’t smoked a cigarette in 12 months or used nicotine). Example rates are for a 50-year old male, D.O.B. 1/15/1973, excellent health for a $250k 20-year term policy.

Life Insurance Company	Premiums	Rating
Banner Life	$61 month	A+
AIG	$61 month	A
John Hancock	$64 month	A+
Pacific Life	$68 month	A+
Protective Life	$68 month	A+
Symetra Life	$68 month	A
Lincoln Financial	$70 month	A+
Prudential	$73 month	A+
Mutual of Omaha	$77 month	A+
SBLI (No-exam)	$78 month	A
State Farm	$126.14 month	A++
Transamerica	$164 month	A

_{One year quit smoking (12 months) life insurance rate} _chart

Two years quit smoking (24 months) life insurance policy cost

Below are the rates for someone who quit smoking 2 years ago (hasn’t smoked a cigarette in 24 months, no tobacco or nicotine use except the occasional cigar). Example rates for a 50-year old male, excellent health for a $250k 20-year term policy.

Life Insurance Company	Premiums	Rating
Banner Life	$45 month	A+
Protective Life	$45 month	A+
Transamerica	$45 month	A
Lincoln Financial	$48 month	A+
John Hancock	$51 month	A+
Mutual of Omaha	$59 month	A+
AIG (Corebridge Financial)	$61 month	A
Pacific Life	$62 month	A+
SBLI	$67 month	A
Symetra Life	$68 month	A
Prudential	$73 month	A+
State Farm	$126.14 month	A++

_{Two years quit smoking (24 months) life insurance rate chart}

Three years quit smoking (36 months) life insurance policy cost

Below are the rates for someone who quit smoking 3 years ago (hasn’t smoked a cigarette in 36 months, an occasional cigar is allowed) ). 50-year old male, excellent health for a $500k 20-year term policy.

Life Insurance Company	Premiums	Rating
Banner Life	$38 month	A+
Lincoln Financial	$39 month	A+
Protective Life	$45 month	A+
AIG	$45 month	A
Pacific Life	$45 month	A+
Symetera Life	$45 month	A
Transamerica	$45 month	A
John Hancock	$51 month	A+
Mutual of Omaha	$51 month	A+
Prudential	$52 month	A+
SBLI	$54 month	A
State Farm	$90.94 month	A++

_{Three years quit smoking (36 months) life insurance rate chart}

Four years quit smoking (48 months) life insurance policy cost

Below are the rates for someone who quit smoking 4 years ago (hasn’t smoked a cigarette in 48 months, an occasional cigar is ok). Example rates for a 50-year old male, excellent health for a $250k 20-year term policy.

Life Insurance Company	Premiums	Rating
Banner Life	$38 month	A+
Lincoln Financial	$39 month	A+
Protective Life	$45 month	A+
AIG	$45 month	A
Pacific Life	$45 month	A+
Symetera Life	$45 month	A
Transamerica	$45 month	A
John Hancock	$51 month	A+
Mutual of Omaha	$51 month	A+
Prudential	$52 month	A+
SBLI	$54 month	A
State Farm	$90.94 month	A++

_{Four years quit smoking (48 months) life insurance rate chart}

Five years quit smoking (60 months) life insurance policy cost

Below are the rates for someone who quit smoking 5 years ago (hasn’t smoked a cigarette in 60 months, an occasional cigar is allowed). Example rates for a 50-year old male, excellent health for a $250k 20-year term policy.

Life Insurance Company	Premiums	Rating
Pacific Life	$38 month	A+
Banner Life	$38 month	A+
Protective Life	$38 month	A+
AIG	$38 month	A
Symetera Life	$38 month	A
Transamerica	$38 month	A
Lincoln Financial	$39 month	A
Prudential	$44 month	A+
SBLI	$47 month	A
John Hancock	$49 month	A+
Mutual of Omaha	$55 month	A+
State Farm	$90.94 month	A++

_{Five years quit smoking (60 months) life insurance rate chart}

Bottom Line

If you have quit smoking cigarettes for at least one year or more and are applying for life insurance, than you can qualify for a non-tobacoo rate which can save you thousands of dollars on your life insurance policy. As seen above each life insurance company has their own underwriting guidelines regarding quitting smoking so it’s important to shop around to ensure you are reviving the best rate.

Life Insurance After Quitting Smoking Time Line- Wrap Up

If you quit smoking cigarettes for just over 1 year (12) months you may qualify for a low rate on your life insurance policy. Most life insurance companies will offer a Standard non-tobacco or health class with a few top insurers that will offer Standard Plus non-tobacco.

After two years since your last cigarette that are several top life insurance companies: Banner Life, Protective Life, Lincoln Financial, John Hancock and Transamerica that will offer Preferred Rates!

If you have quit smoking cigarettes 3 years ago, Banner Life and Lincoln Financial will offer the top health class, Preferred Plus.

If you have quit smoking for 4 years, most life insurance companies will have the same underwriting guidelines as if you quit smoking for three years as seen above.

Once you have quit smoking for 5 years or longer than most life insurance companies will offer their top health class, Preferred Plus, same rates as if you never smoked.

We know the underwriting guidelines. We work with the top companies. We will get you the best rate!

Let us do the shopping for you. We can quote you the rates for the nation’s top life insurance companies.
Our process is that we will ask you a few quick questions then immediately shop the nation’s top companies such as: Lincoln Financial, Banner Life, Pacific Life, AIG (Corebridge), Prudential, Protective Life, Transamerica, SBLI, Symetra Life and more to see which company will offer you the best rates.
Best part is that there is no charge for our services. We are compensated by the insurance company for bringing them the business.
We are completely independent and not tied to any one insurance company. Our only job is to find and get you approved at the best rate in the country from one of the top carriers.

Instant Life Insurance Quotes for Those Who Quit Smoking

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