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Lifestyle choices are not merely a personal health matter when someone applies for health insurance. Insurers also use them to assess the likelihood of future illness and of a claim.
Smoking, tobacco use and alcohol consumption are among the details commonly sought in the proposal form. Depending on the applicant’s age, medical history and the extent of the habit, the insurer may charge a higher premium, ask for medical tests or apply specific underwriting conditions.
Why Smokers May Pay More
Smoking is linked to a higher risk of ailments involving the heart, lungs and blood vessels, apart from several forms of cancer. An insurer may therefore treat a smoker as carrying a greater health risk than a non-smoker of the same age seeking similar coverage.
1 July 2026
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There is no single premium increase that applies to every smoker. The insurer may consider how often the person smokes, the type of tobacco used, the duration of the habit, and whether any related health condition has already developed.
How often a person smokes, and for how many years, can affect the insurer’s assessment. Age and existing health conditions may also influence the insurer’s decision. In some cases, the policy may be issued only after medical examination and evaluation of test results.
Alcohol Use Is Assessed Differently
Drinking alcohol does not automatically mean that the applicant will pay more. Insurers generally look at the frequency and quantity of consumption and whether it has caused, or may contribute to, a medical condition.
Regular or excessive drinking can increase the risk of liver disease, cardiac problems and other complications. If the insurer considers the risk significant, it may revise the premium or decide the terms on which the cover will be offered.
Applicants should not decide on their own that occasional drinking is too minor to mention. The proposal form must be answered accurately according to the questions asked. The insurer, rather than the buyer, decides whether a disclosed habit affects underwriting.
Non-Disclosure Can Create Claim Problems
Smoking or consuming alcohol does not, by itself, mean that a future health insurance claim will be rejected. The more serious concern is the concealment or misreporting of a material fact when purchasing the policy.
During claim assessment, an insurer may review the proposal form, medical records, and treatment history. The insurer may question the claim if hospital records refer to smoking or drinking that was not disclosed earlier.
It is better to mention smoking or drinking when buying the policy. A higher premium or a medical test is easier to deal with than a claim dispute later.
Read the proposal form before signing it and save a copy. If you spot an error later, ask the insurer to update its records straight away.
FAQs
1. Can smoking or drinking increase health insurance premiums?
Yes. Insurers may charge more or ask for medical tests after considering the frequency of use, age, medical history, and related health risks.
2. Will a claim be rejected merely because the policyholder smokes or drinks?
Not necessarily. Problems may arise if the habit was concealed or incorrectly reported while buying the policy.
3. Should occasional smoking or drinking be mentioned in the proposal form?
Answer every question truthfully. The insurer will decide whether the disclosed habit affects the premium or policy terms.
