Smoking is the single biggest lifestyle factor that raises life insurance premiums in India. Insurers treat smokers as a significantly higher mortality risk — and the data supports that assessment. But "higher premium" doesn't mean "unaffordable" or "unavailable," and many smokers who assume they can't get decent cover are wrong.
The premium difference between a smoker and non-smoker for the same term plan, age, and sum assured is typically 50–120% higher for the smoker. A 32-year-old non-smoker might pay ₹9,000 a year for ₹1 crore cover. The same person who smokes might pay ₹14,000–₹19,000 for identical cover. Still affordable — just significantly more expensive.
The disclosure question: Many smokers are tempted to declare themselves non-smokers on the proposal form. This is the most dangerous mistake possible. If a claim is ever investigated — and insurers do investigate — and undisclosed smoking is discovered, the claim can be rejected on grounds of material non-disclosure. The premium saving is not worth that risk.
One genuinely useful planning point: if you quit smoking and remain smoke-free for 12 months, most insurers will reassess your premium at the lower non-smoker rate. So quitting has an immediate financial benefit beyond the obvious health one. Some insurers allow a formal re-rating application after 12 smoke-free months.
If you currently smoke: disclose it, pay the correct premium, and get covered. Your family's protection matters more than a few thousand rupees annually.