Last Updated: October 22nd, 2025
Most life insurance companies treat vaping the same as cigarette smoking, charging tobacco rates that can be 2-3 times higher than non-smoker premiums. Foresters Financial offers one of the only term life insurance products that provides non-smoker rates to vapers through their YourTerm policy, as long as you haven’t used traditional cigarettes in the past 12 months.
If you vape, you’ve probably noticed that most life insurance companies charge you the same rates as cigarette smokers. It’s frustrating because many people switched to vaping specifically to quit smoking traditional cigarettes.
The reality is that the vast majority of insurance carriers don’t distinguish between vaping and smoking when it comes to underwriting. They classify all nicotine users as tobacco users, which means significantly higher premiums.
This guide explains how vaping affects your life insurance rates in 2025, which company actually offers non-smoker rates to vapers, and what to do if you can’t qualify for those preferred rates.
How Insurance Companies View Vaping in 2025
Life insurance underwriting is based on risk assessment. Companies look at mortality data to determine how long people with certain habits are likely to live. The challenge with vaping is that it’s a relatively new phenomenon, and long-term health data simply doesn’t exist yet.
Most insurance carriers take a conservative approach. Without decades of mortality data showing vaping is definitively safer than smoking, they default to treating all nicotine users the same way. From their perspective, it’s better to err on the side of caution than to underprice risk.
The FDA officially classified e-cigarettes and vaping devices as tobacco products in 2016. This regulatory classification gave insurance companies additional justification for grouping vapers with traditional smokers in their underwriting guidelines.
Studies show that approximately 90% of life insurance companies consider vaping equivalent to smoking. This means if you vape, you’ll typically be offered tobacco rates that cost 200-300% more than non-smoker premiums at most carriers.
Why Vaping Costs More: The Risk Assessment
Insurance companies price policies based on life expectancy. Traditional cigarette smoking reduces life expectancy by an average of 10 years, which is why smokers pay dramatically higher premiums.
With vaping, the long-term health impacts remain uncertain. While early research suggests vaping may be less harmful than smoking combustible tobacco, insurance underwriters face several concerns.
Lack of long-term data: E-cigarettes have only been widely available since 2008. There isn’t enough time to have comprehensive mortality data on vapers. Insurance companies need decades of information to confidently price risk.
Dual use patterns: Many vapers also smoke traditional cigarettes, either regularly or occasionally. This “dual use” pattern makes it difficult for insurers to isolate the specific risks of vaping alone.
Product inconsistency: The vaping industry lacks standardization. Different devices, liquids, and nicotine concentrations make it hard to assess uniform risk. What one person vapes might be significantly different from another person’s usage.
Nicotine addiction: Whether delivered through cigarettes or vaping devices, nicotine remains an addictive substance. Insurance companies view nicotine dependence as a health risk factor regardless of the delivery method.
These factors combine to keep vaping in the high-risk category for most insurers.
The One Company Offering Non-Smoker Rates to Vapers
After reviewing current underwriting guidelines across major carriers, Foresters Financial stands out as offering non-smoker rates to vapers through their YourTerm term life insurance product.
Foresters Financial YourTerm requirements:
- No cigarette use for at least 12 months
- Vaping e-cigarettes with or without nicotine is allowed
- Must qualify for non-tobacco health classification in all other respects
- Standard underwriting and medical exam required
Foresters Financial is a fraternal benefit society that has been providing life insurance since 1874. They’re rated A by AM Best, indicating strong financial stability.
Their YourTerm product is a level term life insurance policy available in 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-year terms. Coverage amounts range from $100,000 to $5 million depending on age and health qualifications.
The key distinction is that Foresters evaluates your overall health profile and cigarette-free status separately from your vaping. If you’re otherwise healthy and haven’t smoked traditional cigarettes in 12 months, you can potentially qualify for their non-tobacco rate classes.
It’s worth noting that even with non-tobacco rates, you may not qualify for their absolute best rate classes (Preferred Plus or Preferred) if you vape. However, you’ll still pay significantly less than tobacco rates at other companies.
What This Means for Your Premium
The difference between smoker and non-smoker rates is substantial. Let’s look at realistic examples.
A 40-year-old male in good health applying for a 20-year, $250,000 term life insurance policy would pay approximately:
Non-tobacco rates (Foresters for vapers): $40-55 per month
Tobacco rates (most other companies): $95-125 per month
Over the 20-year policy term, qualifying for non-tobacco rates saves approximately $13,200-$16,800. For a $500,000 policy, the savings roughly double.
A 35-year-old female with the same coverage would see similar percentage differences:
Non-tobacco rates: $35-45 per month
Tobacco rates: $80-105 per month
The older you are when you apply, the larger the dollar amount of savings becomes, though the percentage difference remains consistent.
Applying for Life Insurance as a Vaper
If you’re applying for the Foresters YourTerm product or any life insurance policy as a vaper, here’s what to expect.
Be completely honest on your application. You’ll be asked specific questions about all tobacco and nicotine use, including vaping. The medical exam includes blood and urine testing that detects cotinine, a nicotine metabolite. Trying to hide your vaping is considered fraud and can result in claim denial.
Document when you quit cigarettes. If you switched from traditional cigarettes to vaping, be prepared to provide the exact date you last smoked. Some underwriters may ask for medical records or a physician’s statement confirming you’re cigarette-free.
Prepare for the medical exam. In addition to the nicotine test, your exam will include blood pressure, cholesterol, height, weight, and other health measurements. Your overall health profile affects what rate class you qualify for, even within non-tobacco categories.
Time your application strategically. If you recently quit cigarettes but haven’t hit the 12-month mark yet, you might consider waiting. The difference between tobacco and non-tobacco rates justifies the wait in most cases.
Consider working with an independent agent. Independent agents can access multiple carriers and know which companies offer the most competitive rates for your specific situation. They can also help position your application for the best possible outcome.
What If You Don’t Qualify for Foresters YourTerm?
Not everyone will meet Foresters’ underwriting requirements, and you might need coverage from a different carrier for various reasons. Here are your alternatives.
Accept tobacco rates at another company. If you need coverage immediately or don’t meet Foresters’ health requirements, you can apply for traditional term life insurance and accept tobacco rates. While more expensive, it’s still better than having no coverage if your family depends on your income.
Use an annual renewable term policy temporarily. If you’re close to the 12-month cigarette-free mark but haven’t reached it yet, consider a one-year renewable term policy. These policies cost less than long-term tobacco rates and can bridge the gap until you qualify for non-tobacco rates. Once you hit 12 months cigarette-free, you can apply for Foresters YourTerm and drop the temporary coverage.
Quit vaping completely. If you stop all nicotine use for 12 months, you’ll qualify for non-tobacco rates at virtually any insurance company. Most carriers require 12 months nicotine-free, though some require 24-36 months depending on your age and health history.
Explore guaranteed issue policies cautiously. Guaranteed issue life insurance doesn’t require health questions or exams, but coverage amounts are typically limited to $25,000-$50,000, and premiums are significantly higher than traditional policies. These should only be considered if you can’t qualify for traditional coverage due to serious health conditions.
Can You Switch From Tobacco to Non-Tobacco Rates?
If you currently have a life insurance policy with tobacco rates and you’ve switched to vaping only (or quit nicotine entirely), you might wonder if you can reduce your premiums.
Some insurance companies allow policy rerating after you’ve been tobacco-free for a specified period. You’d need to complete a new medical exam and questionnaire proving you haven’t used cigarettes or other tobacco products. The company would test for cotinine to verify your nicotine status.
Other carriers don’t permit rerating on existing policies. In these cases, you’d need to apply for a new policy with a vaper-friendly or non-tobacco carrier, get it issued and in force, then cancel your old policy. Never cancel existing coverage until new coverage is approved and delivered.
The math on whether to rerate or replace depends on several factors: your current premium, how long you’ve had the policy, your current age and health, and whether you’d qualify for better rates today. An independent agent can help you analyze whether making a change makes financial sense.
Other Factors That Affect Your Life Insurance Cost
While your vaping status is important, it’s not the only thing determining your premium. Improving your overall health can help you qualify for better rate classes.
Maintain healthy blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the most common reasons applicants receive higher rates than expected. If you’re on medication, make sure your blood pressure is well-controlled before your exam. Normal readings typically should be below 130/80.
Manage your weight. Insurance companies use height-to-weight ratios to assess risk. Being significantly overweight can bump you to a lower rate class. Even losing 10-20 pounds before applying can sometimes make a difference.
Control cholesterol levels. Your total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels all factor into underwriting. If your cholesterol is borderline high, talk to your doctor about whether dietary changes or medication might help before you apply.
Schedule your exam strategically. Fast for 8-12 hours before your exam (water is fine). Avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand. Try to schedule morning appointments when most people’s vitals are most stable. Don’t exercise heavily the day before, as this can affect protein levels in your urine.
Avoid caffeine before your exam. Coffee and energy drinks can temporarily elevate blood pressure. Skip the morning coffee on exam day.
The better your overall health profile, the more likely you are to qualify for preferred or preferred plus non-tobacco rates, even as a vaper with Foresters.
If You’re Trying to Quit Nicotine Completely
Some people use vaping as a temporary step toward quitting nicotine entirely. If that’s your goal, here’s what you need to know about qualifying for standard non-tobacco rates at any insurance company.
Most carriers require 12 months completely nicotine-free before they’ll classify you as a non-tobacco user. Some companies require 24 months, and a few require 36 months depending on your age and how long you previously smoked.
Keep in mind that nicotine replacement products like patches, gum, and lozenges will show up on the cotinine test just like vaping does. If you’re trying to qualify for non-tobacco rates, you need to be completely free of all nicotine products for the required period.
During that waiting period, you have a few options. You can apply for annual renewable term insurance to cover the gap. You can delay getting insurance until you qualify for better rates. Or you can get a policy with tobacco rates now and apply to have it rerated after you’ve been nicotine-free for the required time.
From a financial planning perspective, it’s usually better to get some coverage now rather than wait, even if it means paying tobacco rates temporarily. Life insurance protects your family from financial hardship if something happens to you. That protection is valuable even if the premiums are higher than you’d prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will all insurance companies charge me tobacco rates if I vape?
Almost all companies will charge tobacco rates for vaping. Foresters Financial’s YourTerm product is one of the few options that offers non-smoker rates to vapers who haven’t used cigarettes in 12 months. Approximately 90% of carriers treat vaping the same as smoking for underwriting purposes.
How long do I need to be cigarette-free before qualifying for non-smoker rates?
Foresters requires 12 months without cigarette use for vapers to qualify for non-tobacco rates. If you quit all nicotine products including vaping, most companies require 12-24 months nicotine-free before offering non-tobacco rates. Some carriers require up to 36 months depending on your age and smoking history.
Will the insurance company find out if I vape even if I don’t tell them?
Yes. The medical exam includes blood and urine testing that detects cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine. This test reveals nicotine use from vaping, smoking, or nicotine replacement products used within the past few days. Always be honest on your application, as misrepresentation can result in claim denial or reduced benefits for your family.
Can I vape nicotine-free products and get better rates?
Most insurance companies still classify users of nicotine-free vaping devices as vapers. Even though these products don’t contain nicotine, underwriters view the act of vaping itself as a potential health risk. You won’t necessarily get better rates for using zero-nicotine liquids at most carriers.
What happens if I start vaping after I get approved for non-tobacco rates?
Once your policy is issued, your rate is locked in. If you’re approved as a non-tobacco user and later start vaping, you don’t need to notify your insurance company. Your beneficiaries will still receive the full death benefit regardless of lifestyle changes after the policy is in force, as long as you didn’t misrepresent your status during the application process.
Is guaranteed issue life insurance a good option to avoid the vaping question?
Probably not. Guaranteed issue policies don’t require medical exams or health questions, but they’re significantly more expensive than traditional policies and typically offer limited coverage amounts (usually $25,000 or less). If you’re in reasonably good health, you’ll save money by applying for traditional coverage and accepting either tobacco rates or finding a vaper-friendly carrier.
Key Takeaways
Most life insurance companies charge tobacco rates to vapers, typically 200-300% higher than non-smoker premiums. This reflects insurance industry uncertainty about the long-term health impacts of vaping and the lack of decades of mortality data.
Foresters Financial offers one of the few term life insurance products that provides non-smoker rates to vapers through their YourTerm policy. You must be cigarette-free for at least 12 months and meet their other underwriting requirements.
The difference between tobacco and non-tobacco rates can save you $10,000-$20,000 or more over a 20-year policy term. It’s worth seeking out vaper-friendly options if you qualify.
Always be honest about your vaping and tobacco history on your application. Medical exams include nicotine testing that will detect any use, and misrepresentation can have serious consequences for your beneficiaries.
If you don’t qualify for Foresters YourTerm or need coverage immediately, accepting tobacco rates at another carrier is still better than having no life insurance for smokers protection for your family. You can always explore rerating or replacement options later if you quit vaping entirely.
Need help finding the best life insurance rates as a vaper? We specialize in helping e-cigarette users find affordable coverage and work directly with Foresters Financial and other carriers. Use the quote form on this page to see what you qualify for.
