Impact of non-disclosure of smoking habit while buying health insurance policy

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While buying health insurance one thing that primarily determines premium rates is the status of your health. If the customer is in good health then it is likely to get standard premium rates. If the health status of the person does not align with the standard parameters then one may have to pay higher premiums or in some cases policy may even be declined. It is therefore very important that all the health-related questions are answered honestly to ensure that risks are assessed correctly at the time of taking the policy and there is no risk of claims being rejected due to misrepresentation or non-disclosure of material facts.

One of the habits that people are generally shy to disclose is their smoking habits. But if you smoke you should clearly disclose it at the time of buying a policy to avoid claim rejection chances at a later stage. The insurance company may ask customers to undergo medical tests to consider all risks before offering a health insurance policy. If the health status is not fit then the insurer may ask for a higher premium from customers.

What happens if you lie about smoking habits?

If the insurer asks you to undergo a medical test and the tests reveal your smoking habit, then your application may be rejected. If you already have a policy and you did not disclose it at the time of buying the policy, future claims may be rejected by the insurance company, particularly for illnesses arising out of the consumption of tobacco or nicotine. It is always advisable to disclose smoking habits at the time of buying even if it leads to a higher premium. Remember, whether you smoke one or more cigarettes if you consume nicotine you are classified as a smoker in the eyes of an insurance company.