Updated: April 13, 2025
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Allstate offers the cheapest life insurance for smokers, with a monthly rate of $26.57 for a 10-year term. Transamerica offers the second cheapest rate for the same policy at $27 per month. While life insurance premiums tend to be higher than average for people who smoke, affordable coverage options are available.
For smokers under age 35, GEICO offers the cheapest option with rates starting at just $21 per month for a $250,000, 10-year term policy. Seniors over 65 who smoke will also find GEICO provides the best rates, though premiums are significantly higher due to age-related risk factors.
If you stop smoking, you can often renegotiate your life insurance policy to get a cheaper rate. Most insurance companies offer significantly lower premiums for non-smokers, and they typically consider you a non-smoker after being tobacco-free for at least 12 months (though this timeframe can vary by insurer).
Finding cheap life insurance for smokers can be difficult but MoneyGeek has made it easy.
While life insurance premiums tend to be higher than average for people who smoke, affordable coverage options are available. Allstate offers the most affordable life insurance for smokers, with an average monthly rate of $26.57 for $250,000 of coverage over 10 years.
| Allstate | $26.57 |
| Transamerica | $26.81 |
| GEICO | $28.07 |
| Protective | $29.14 |
| Nationwide | $36.33 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $36.66 |
| Prudential | $37.44 |
| AAA | $37.50 |
| Fidelity | $45.28 |
| Haven | $48.62 |
| State Farm | $48.64 |
| Bestow | $59.76 |
| Progressive | $68.39 |
A+ AM Best financial stability rating
Wide range of term lengths (10-40 years)
24/7 online chat support available
Higher-than-average customer complaints
Doesn't issue its own life insurance policies
We found Allstate tops our rankings for affordable smoker life insurance. In our analysis, they consistently offer lower premiums for tobacco users compared to competitors for most age groups.
MoneyGeek likes their transparency about tobacco use—they clearly explain how smoking affects rates and outline pathways to premium reductions after quitting (typically 12 months tobacco-free). We found that if you bought Allstate life insurance at smoker rates but have since quit, you can often ask Allstate to reassess your premiums at a non-smoker level. This involves a waiting period plus a brief medical exam or tests. If Allstate’s new rates aren’t ideal, you can also shop around for a better policy now that you’re considered a non-smoker.
Their 92-year history brings reliability, with coverage ranging from $100,000 to $50 million and flexible 10-40 year terms. We tested their 24/7 chat support and found representatives helpful and non-judgmental about smoking status. Their online resources provide valuable information specifically for smokers.
GEICO has an average monthly cost of $21.14 for young adults. These rates make Geico MoneyGeek's most affordable choice for both young adults and seniors seeking the best life insurance rates for smokers. Getting life insurance at a young age as a smoker can result in much cheaper policy compared to waiting until you are older.
Remember, if you are young and quit smoking in the future, most companies will renegotiate your policy and offer you a cheaper rate after you have quit tobacco for more than 12 months
| GEICO | $21.14 |
| Protective | $21.81 |
| Transamerica | $22.12 |
| Allstate | $22.14 |
| Nationwide | $26.15 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $26.66 |
| AAA | $29.71 |
| Prudential | $32.37 |
| Haven | $34.41 |
| Fidelity | $35.65 |
| Progressive | $35.65 |
| State Farm | $39.01 |
| Bestow | $47.14 |
As a smoker, waiting til you are a senior means much higher premiums. GEICO offers the cheapest life insurance for smokers but at a cost of $389 per month for $250,000 of coverage for 10 years. This can make sense if you really need the coverage.
| GEICO | $389.08 |
| Transamerica | $389.08 |
| Allstate | $389.66 |
| Protective | $452.38 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $473.15 |
| State Farm | $480.59 |
| Prudential | $484.31 |
| AAA | $550.88 |
A++ AM Best financial stability rating
Low rate of customer complaints
No-exam products available through partners
Doesn't issue its own life insurance policies
Limited payment options
No whole or universal life products
At MoneyGeek, we found Geico offers the lowest rates for both seniors and young adults. With 85+ years of industry experience, they deliver age-specific benefits that stand out in our analysis:
Our research shows seniors appreciate Geico's straightforward online application, while younger customers highlight their intuitive mobile app experience.
For former smokers, our research shows Geico typically requires you to be tobacco-free for at least 12 months before qualifying for non-smoker rates. Despite slightly longer approval times for seniors needing medical underwriting, our analysis confirms Geico as the top choice for both the youngest and oldest insurance shoppers.
Transamerica is the cheapest life insurance company for smokers looking for a high coverage amount. The average monthly cost of a Transamerica 10-year term life insurance policy with a $1 million coverage amount is $61.91.
| Transamerica | $61.91 |
| GEICO | $62.03 |
| Allstate | $68.26 |
| Protective | $73.35 |
| Nationwide | $77.23 |
| AAA | $99.43 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $107.69 |
| State Farm | $112.73 |
| Prudential | $148.63 |
| Haven | $165.48 |
| Bestow | $206.60 |
| Fidelity | $218.11 |
| Progressive | $218.11 |
A AM Best financial stability rating
Comprehensive product diversity
No-exam option for high coverage
Higher-than-average customer complaints
No 24/7 online chat support
Mobile app limited to retirement
At MoneyGeek, our analysis found Transamerica offers the most competitive rates for smokers seeking $1 million or more in coverage. With over 100 years in the insurance industry, they provide exceptional value for tobacco users needing substantial protection.
Our research identified several standout benefits:
We appreciate Transamerica's transparent approach to tobacco use classification. In our interviews with policyholders, smokers reported fair treatment during the application process without feeling excessively penalized for their tobacco use.
For former smokers, our research shows Transamerica typically requires a 12-month tobacco-free period before qualifying for non-smoker rates, which aligns with industry standards. However, we found their reconsideration process well-documented and straightforward compared to many competitors.
Our research shows most insurers classify you as a smoker if you've used any of these products within the past 12 months:
Importantly, nicotine replacement therapies (patches, gum, lozenges) are generally NOT classified as tobacco use, as they're viewed as cessation aids.
Companies verify tobacco use through questionnaires and medical tests that detect nicotine/cotinine, typically identifying use from the past week. Most require a 12-month tobacco-free period before qualifying for non-smoker rates.
See these resources to help calculate your coverage needs and to get personalized life insurance quote estimates.
Different companies have varying rate structures for smokers. Also, companies classify smokers in different tobacco use categories. At MoneyGeek, we found companies like Allstate and Transamerica often offer more competitive rates for tobacco users.
Your age can also affect the cost of your life insurance, so signing up as early as possible helps lower the cost of an expensive premium due to your smoking history. When buying, comparing life insurance quotes for smokers from multiple providers can help you find the best rates and coverage options tailored to your situation.
Maintaining healthy weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can qualify you for "preferred smoker" rates, which can save 15-20% on premiums.
The best way to lower your rates permanently is to quit smoking altogether. Some life insurance providers allow you to retake the nicotine test after a year and re-negotiate your rates. You can also switch between providers, which could give you a standard rate when you are smoke-free for more than 12 months.
If you stop smoking you can save about 40-60% on your policy costs. While the average cost for a $250,000 policy over 10 years is between $26 and $40 per month for a middle aged person, you can get a policy as low as $12 per month if you quit smoking. See our list of the cheapest life insurance policies and companies.
Our research shows most insurers allow policyholders to request rate reconsideration after 12 tobacco-free months. The process typically requires a health questionnaire and medical tests to verify nicotine absence. We recommend contacting your insurer once you've reached the 12-month milestone to initiate this straightforward.
If you recently purchased a policy and quite smoking, you could also cancel your policy and shop other insurers to buy a non smoker policy.
No, you should never lie on a life insurance application. This is a terrible idea for several important reasons:
Being honest about your smoking status is always the best approach, even if it means paying higher premiums in the short term.
Yes! At MoneyGeek, we've found smokers can get no-exam term life insurance. Our research shows:
We recommend comparing multiple insurers, as their definitions of "smoker" vary significantly. Be honest about tobacco use—companies still check medical records.
While convenient, our analysis suggests smokers who are otherwise healthy might save by choosing policies with medical exams, as these assess overall health beyond just smoking status.
MoneyGeek answers the most frequently asked questions about getting life insurance for smokers.
Yes, smoking significantly impacts life insurance, with smokers typically paying 100-200% higher rates than non-smokers due to increased health risks associated with tobacco use. Former smokers can qualify for lower rates after remaining tobacco-free for 12 month or more, providing financial incentive to quit.
The cheapest life insurance company for smokers depends on certain factors, including age, gender, location and coverage amount. MoneyGeek's analysis found that Allstate is the overall cheapest insurer for the average smoker, with a 10-year term and a $250,000 coverage amount.
There is life insurance available for smokers in all 50 states. You can get affordable life insurance quotes even if you are a smoker. You should expect your premiums to be more expensive than those offered to nonsmokers.
Smoker vs nonsmoker life insurance rates can vary significantly. For instance, nonsmokers may pay an average monthly premium of $18.39, whereas smokers often see premiums averaging $40.71 per month. This equates to smokers paying about 121% more.
Cigarette smoking is probably the most popular form of smoking. But someone who vapes or smokes e-cigarettes, cigars and pipes could also be considered a smoker, as could someone who chews tobacco or uses other nicotine- and tobacco-replacement products like gum and patches.
You may be wondering how life insurance companies know if you smoke. When you buy a policy, life insurance companies test for nicotine use through a paramedical test. This test detects the presence of nicotine and cotinine and how long it has been in your system. Lying about tobacco use when you buy life insurance is considered fraud. It could be a reason for insurance providers to cancel your policy or deny your benefits claim.
No Obligation to Report: We've found that most life insurance policies don't require you to report lifestyle changes like starting to smoke after your policy is in force. The rates you locked in at policy issuance typically remain unchanged regardless of new tobacco use.
Some insurance providers offer to re-evaluate your smoking history and lower your original premiums if you’ve refrained from smoking for more than 12 months.
Yes, life insurance typically covers cancer even if you smoke. However, smokers’ life insurance rates may be higher. Being honest about smoking status is vital, as lying about smoking on life insurance can lead to claim denial.
Yes, if you need the financial protection, it's the right move even at a higher cost. Smokers can still find affordable life insurance and get cheaper rates after quitting.
Why Trust MoneyGeek? We analyzed 1,488 of life insurance quotes to determine the cheapest life insurance companies for smokers.
Coverage costs and company information for life insurance providers were updated in 2025.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
