Health Insurance Plans for Smokers
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Health Insurance For Smokers in India
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Health Insurance for Smokers

In India, almost 35% of the total population are smokers. Varying from our health habits and lifestyle, smoking can cause deadly health complications. Therefore, securing health insurance for smokers can be very difficult. Either they will get less overall coverage, reduced rewards and benefits or have to pay higher premiums.

Read below to cut down on the confusion and myths about health insurance for smokers.

Can a Smoker get a Health Insurance Policy?

Yes, a smoker can buy a health insurance policy. According to the mandate of IRDAI, every individual has the right to apply for it.

However, it depends upon the insurance company to keep your medical tests intact before providing you with a plan. But the premiums or the maximum amount of sum insured largely depends on the plan you're going with.

Why do premiums increase in the case of a Smoker's Health Insurance?

Smoking is hazardous to health, it can even cause a person's death. So smokers are widely prone to critical illnesses or several diseases including- cancer, lung dysfunction, infections, Crohn's, and many more.

Hence the more times they get ill, the more they tend to make insurance claims. So insurance companies charge them almost double the premiums of a non-smoker. Thus, they're a subject of risk for an insurer, leading them to pay hefty premiums.

Health Insurance Plans for Smokers in India

Star Family Health Optima Policy

The plan is ideal for the families who want to get covered under single sum insured.

Unique Features

  • Automatic Restroration of SI
  • Instant Recharge UPTO 30% of SI
  • New born baby cover from 16th day

Family Health Optima Policy (Pros)

  • No Pre-Policy Check-up
  • Lifelong Renewability
  • High SI available
  • COVID-19 cover
  • OPD covered

Family Health Optima Policy (Cons)

  • PED cover not available
  • Obesity Treatment Unavailable
  • Hazardous Activities
  • HIV/AIDS not covered
  • Cosmetic Surgery unavailable

Family Health Optima Policy (Other Benefits)

  • Long term discounts
  • Premium Payment flexibility
  • Health Check-up Cover
  • Domiciliary Hospitalization
  • Modern Treatment Cover

Family Health Optima Policy (Eligibility Criteria)

  • Entry Age - 18 Years
  • Max Entry Age - 65 Years
  • SI - 1 L to 25 L
  • Waiting Period - 30 Days

HDFC ERGO Optima Restore Policy

Provides comprehensive medical coverage to individuals and families with different budgets by offering SI options ranging from 5 Lakhs to 50 Lakhs.

Unique Features

  • Free health checkup
  • 2X multiplier benefit
  • 100% SI restoration

Optima Restore Policy (Pros)

  • Daily Hospital Cash
  • Ambulance Cover
  • Modern Treatment
  • Lifetime Renewal
  • Pre and Post Hospitalization

Optima Restore Policy (Cons)

  • No Dental Cover
  • No Maternity Cover
  • No Non-Allopathic treatment
  • Pre-Existing Diseases after 3 yrs
  • Alcoholism not covered

Optima Restore Policy (Other Benefits)

  • Sum Insured Enhancement
  • Tax Benefit
  • E-Opinion
  • 10% Family Discount
  • 7.5% discount on 2 years premiums

Optima Restore Policy (Eligibility Criteria)

  • Entry Age - 91 Days
  • Max Entry Age - 65 years
  • SI - 3 L to 50 L
  • Waiting Period - 30 Days

HDFC ERGO my:health Suraksha

Offers 360 degrees protection to you and your family with multiple SI options of 3 to 75 Lakhs. Comes with EMI and lifelong entry option.

Unique Features

  • Fitness discounts during renewal
  • Room rent capping and co-pay
  • Loyalty discounts

my:health Suraksha (Pros)

  • Renewal Benefit
  • Wellness Benefit
  • Premium Payment Options
  • Reduced Premium Benefit
  • 1,2,3 Years policy Period Option

my:health Suraksha (Cons)

  • No Return Transportation Cost
  • Suicidal Injuries
  • No Non-Allopathic treatment
  • Adventure Sports Injuries
  • Alcoholism

my:health Suraksha (Other Benefits)

  • Pregnancy Complications Covered
  • Newborn Complications Covered
  • Loss of Job Covered
  • Post Diagnosis Support
  • 41 Critical Illness Covered

my:health Suraksha (Eligibility Criteria)

  • Entry Age - 18 Years
  • Max Entry Age - 65 Years
  • SI - 3 L to 75 L
  • Waiting Period - 30 Days

Bajaj Allianz Health Guard

A plan with 3 variants offering up to 1 Cr SI. It covers expenses incurred during hospitalization resulting from serious illness or accident.

Unique Features

  • Avail Discounts
  • Maternity cover available
  • Organ Donor expenses covered

Bajaj Allianz Health Guard (Pros)

  • Convalescence benefit
  • Super Cumulative bonus
  • Daily cash benefit
  • New Born Baby Cover
  • Pre & post hospitalization

Bajaj Allianz Health Guard (Cons)

  • No Global Coverage
  • No Dental Treatment
  • No Parkinson's Cover
  • HIV/AIDS not covered
  • No Obesity/Weight Cover

Bajaj Allianz Health Guard (Other Benefits)

  • Health prime rider
  • Non-medical expense rider
  • Wellness benefits
  • Bariatric surgery cover
  • SI reinstatement benefit

Bajaj Allianz Health Guard (Eligibility Criteria)

  • Entry Age - 18 Years
  • Max Entry Age - 65 Years
  • SI - 1.5 L to 1 Cr
  • Waiting Period - 30 Days

Care Plan

A comprehensive health plan for individual and family with SI of 3 lacs to 6 Cr. with global coverage.

Unique Benefits

  • In-built maternity cover
  • No upper age limit for enrollment
  • Coverage for modern treatments

New India Premier Mediclaim Policy

The plan comes in 2 different variants offering a sum assured up to 1 Cr. The policyholder can cover his/her entire family under one policy.

Unique Features

  • Critical illness covered
  • AYUSH treatment covered
  • AYUSH treatment covered

What are the benefits of getting Health Insurance for Smokers?

Buying a health insurance policy for smokers is a blessing. As it has multiple layers of protection, some of them are listed below:

  • Zero-cost health assessments

     Going through a full-fledged check-up regularly or say in six months can be very costly. Being a smoker, a health insurance policy will cover all your medical bills and help you avoid out-of-pocket expenses of thousands of rupees.

  • Monetary support

     At times of critical illness or an unforeseen emergency, you might not be able to bear all the medical expenses. That's where an insurance company puts its foot forward. It can benefit and take care of you in such circumstances by providing you with funds.

  • Tax benefits

     Depending upon your plan's terms and the number of members who are insured; you can get the benefits of tax exemptions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act 1961.

  • Health and longevity

     Not only for a financial purpose but quitting that extra pair of cigarettes and cutting off nicotine from your life can have a great impact on your life. The average life span could be increased if you stay alive with a healthy lifestyle.

Health Insurer Network Hospitals

Star Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Care Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Aditya Birla Health Insurance Network Hospitals

HDFC Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Niva Bupa Health Insurance Network Hospitals

TATA AIG Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance Network Hospitals

SBI Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Manipalcigna Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Reliance Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Iffco Tokio Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Future Generali Health Insurance Network Hospitals

New India Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Universal Sompo Health Insurance Network Hospitals

Bharti AXA Health Insurance Network Hospitals

How to Reduce your Health Insurance Premium if you're a Smoker?

Following different methods, you can save more on health insurance premiums, like:

  • Choose a higher deductible plan
  • Opt for a family floater plan
  • Purchase a multi-year health insurance policy
  • Compare different insurance providers online. You can check out different plans on Policyx.com as well

Quick tips to consider before buying Health Insurance

  • Provide accurate information to your insurer about how long or how much you smoke to get a routine health assessment.
  • Ensure transparency between you and your insurance providers to get maximum benefits
  • Compare before settling down for a health plan if you're a smoker
  • Check coverage specifications, such that you can get a clear picture of what's covered or what's excluded from your policy
  • Go with affordable options as they can hugely impact your premium amount and the amount insured

Thoughts to Rest Upon

Seeking a health insurance plan for smokers might feel a challenging yet essential part as they're more resistant to a healthy lifestyle. So it's always a good idea to stay fit and healthy. Prioritizing your health in the first place can give you the freedom to live more healthily and for a long.

Also, don't let these challenges deter you from taking a healthy path forward. Withstanding the right coverage of health insurance, this task can become a lot easier to help you embrace a happy life afterward.

Health Insurance for Smokers: FAQs

1. Can I quit smoking even after buying a health insurance policy?

Quitting smoking will provide you with multiple health benefits in the long run. It can absolutely tend to a premium reduction over a period of time.

2. What will happen if I hide my smoking habit from the Insurance company while applying for a policy?

If a smoker tries to withhold his smoking habit from their insurer, this tempts a negation in your policy. It may lead your claims to be rejected and/or you can get into legal trouble as well.

3. Are smoking-related pre-existing health issues covered in a policy?

Like non-smokers, if smokers are found with any pre-existing conditions like hypertension or diabetes, the insurer may ask for multiple medical tests. After this only it'll be decided whether you'll get a policy or not.

4. I'm a smoker, will the premium of my health insurance be higher?

Yes definitely. Smokers have a broader risk of health and they're more prone to deadly diseases. So premiums in their case are typically higher than non-smokers.

5. Is it possible to switch from a smoker to a non-smoker's premium after quitting smoking?

Most of the insurance companies in India, don't allow to change the status of a smoker to non-smoker in their policy.

6. Can I get health insurance if I have smoked vape?

Yes, whether you prefer smoking cigarettes or vaping, health insurance is available. But, the premiums will be high in both cases.

7. What happens if you start smoking after getting health insurance?

You need to inform the insurer during the time of renewal.

8. How long does nicotine stay in the body?

Generally, nicotine will leave the blood within 1 to 3 days.

Health Insurance Companies

Star Health Insurance

Care Health Insurance

Aditya Birla Health Insurance

HDFC ERGO Health Insurance

Apollo Munich Health Insurance

Niva Bupa Health Insurance

ICICI Lombard Health Insurance

Tata AIG Health Insurance

Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance

SBI Health Insurance

Royal Sundaram Health Insurance

ManipalCigna Health Insurance

Reliance Health Insurance

IFFCO Tokio Health Insurance

Future Generali Health Insurance

National Health Insurance

United India Health Insurance

New India Health Insurance

Navi Health Insurance

ACKO Health Insurance

Digit Health Insurance

ZUNO General Insurance

Universal Sompo Health Insurance

Liberty Health Insurance

Kotak Mahindra Health Insurance

Magma Health Insurance

Cholamandalam MS Health Insurance

Oriental Health Insurance

Raheja QBE MS Health Insurance

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Simran Nirala

Written By: Simran Nirala

Simran has an experience of 3 years in insurance content writing. She transitioned from hospitality to the insurance industry after her emerging interest in how vast insurance is. With her ability to write complex insurance concepts in a simple, relatable manner she keeps her audience hooked and solves their doubts smoothly.