No Medical Life Insurance for Smokers
It’s common knowledge that with traditional life insurance policies, if you smoke, your insurance premiums are higher. But does this also apply with no medical life insurance for smokers?
To answer that, let’s take a closer look at what No Medical Life Insurance is, how it works, and why it may (or may not) be the right option for you.
What is No Medical Life Insurance?
As the name suggests, No Medical Life Insurance means that there are no medical exams or lab tests required to qualify for coverage. This is different from traditional term life insurance where you may need to complete blood work, blood pressure checks, or even provide detailed medical history.
Instead of tests, eligibility is based on either a simple questionnaire or, in some cases, no questions at all.
Life Insurance and Risk
Life insurance companies want to understand how much risk they’re taking on when insuring you. This is why traditional policies require medical exams and health records.
With No Medical Life Insurance, insurers skip these tests — but that means they’re taking on more uncertainty. To offset the risk:
Premiums are typically higher than with traditional policies.
Coverage amounts are lower.
This trade-off is what makes no medical policies more accessible to smokers or people with health conditions.
Types of No Medical Life Insurance
There are two main types of No Medical Life Insurance: Simplified Issue and Guaranteed Issue.
1. Simplified Issue
Involves answering a short health questionnaire.
The more questions you can honestly answer “no” to (for example, about recent hospitalizations or severe illnesses), the lower your premiums.
Coverage amounts can be as high as $300,000.
A good option if you’re a smoker in average to good health but want to skip the medical exam.
2. Guaranteed Issue
Requires no health questions at all.
Ideal for smokers or people with serious health conditions who might otherwise be declined.
Coverage is limited — usually up to $25,000.
Typically used for final expenses, like funeral costs.
Most policies include a two-year waiting period, meaning if you pass away within two years (non-accidental causes), the policy may only return the premiums paid, not the full death benefit.
For smokers, Guaranteed Issue can be a reliable option since:
Premiums never increase.
Coverage never decreases.
The policy cannot be cancelled as long as you pay premiums.
Smoking and Life Insurance: What You Should Know
When applying for life insurance, you’ll usually be considered a smoker if you’ve used any tobacco or nicotine products (including cigarettes, cigars, vaping, chewing tobacco, and sometimes even nicotine replacement therapy) within the last 12 months.
This is true for both traditional and no medical policies. Being classified as a smoker almost always means higher premiums, but the exact increase depends on:
Your age
The type of policy
The insurance provider
If you quit smoking, many insurers allow you to apply for non-smoker rates after you’ve been tobacco-free for at least 12 months.
Two Reasons to Consider No Medical Life Insurance
No Medical Life Insurance may be right for you if:
You’ve been declined for a traditional policy due to smoking or other health issues.
You have serious health conditions that make it difficult to qualify elsewhere.
That said, just because you’re a smoker doesn’t automatically mean you’re limited to no medical policies. An experienced life insurance broker can help you compare options from different insurers and possibly find you traditional coverage at better rates.
How Maple Bay Financial Corp. Can Help
At Maple Bay Financial Corp., we’re life insurance experts with access to policies from all major Canadian insurance companies. Whether you’re looking for simplified issue life insurance, guaranteed issue coverage, or exploring other life insurance options for smokers, we’ll guide you through the process and help you find the right fit.
Bottom line: If you’re a smoker, you can still get life insurance coverage in Canada. The key is knowing which type of policy suits your situation — and having the right advisor on your side.
Fill out our form to receive a free, no obligation Life Insurance quote today.