There are several requirements you must meet when obtaining any kind of insurance. Taking out term life insurance is no exception. For the most part, insurance companies want to make sure you start out healthy before issuing you a policy. Premiums are based on your lifestyle and what your medical history is like. The cost of your premium is based on your age, gender and even occupation. Tobacco use has always been of concern when you are applying for term life insurance .

Tobacco use in any form already sets you apart from non-users. Some insurance companies do not distinguish between the form and frequency of your tobacco use. If you are a person who smokes an occasional cigar you are treated the same as a person who smokes two or three packs of cigarettes per day. Despite this unfair categorization, there are some companies that do make the distinction. The key is to find these select insurance companies that individualize their rates. These select companies base their premiums upon the type of tobacco and frequency of usage. They make a clear distinction between the use of cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, pipes, smokeless tobacco, nicotine gum, marijuana or a nicotine patch to quit your smoking habit. If you smoke marijuana, you must also disclose that you use drugs on your application form.

Lifestyle Discrimination?

While automatic higher premiums set for smokers are seemingly unfair and may even be viewed as lifestyle discrimination, it is also important to understand the perspective of insurance companies. Generally, smokers miss work more often than non-smokers due to respiratory problems. It is believed, although not clinically proven, that smoking lowers the immune system defenses, therefore causing smokers to be more susceptible to certain smoke related illnesses than non-smokers. Smoking has also always been believed to cause premature death. Ailments such as lung cancer, high blood pressure, heart attacks, emphysema, severe asthma, stroke, and other forms of cancer are all associated to nicotine use. Current studies have also found a connection between heavy tobacco use and Alzheimer’s disease. Certainly one can compare the consistent use of a known carcinogen to someone who is employed at a job considered to be “hazardous duty.” Both are subject to higher premiums due to higher risk for insurance companies to carry you.

Tobacco Use and Low Cost Term Life Insurance

If you are smoker who has tried to obtain term life insurance in the past, you have probably been disappointed by the high premiums quoted to you. In recent years some insurance companies have opted to offer low cost term life insurance for tobacco users. Smokers or nicotine users are now eligible for 10, 15, 20 or 30 year term periods at low rates. For example, as long as a smoker is in otherwise excellent health and is at a reasonable weight, he or she may obtain $250,000.00 worth of coverage for about $40 per month over a 10 year period.

The best thing to do would be to research out companies and their policies for tobacco users. By shopping out the different insurance companies, you are sure to find one that does not penalize you excessively for tobacco use. Doing an internet search is the fastest way to obtain a quote online as many companies are now doing “Insta-quotes” that only take minutes. Tobacco users can now afford to protect their families at much more affordable rates and doing due diligence in shopping out your quotes will save you money in the long run.

By: Sharon Taylor

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Kansieo.com

Accidents and hazards are part of our day to day life, and they are sometimes related to our occupation as well. You may suffer from an accident while performing your job. Such accident may result in your untimely loss of life, or temporary or permanent disability. While most hazards can be foreseen, accidents occur without warning. Therefore, it is proper to be prepared for any such accident, and its consequential affects. An occupational accident insurance might just be the answer you need. It is an accident insurance for your protection.

An occupational accident insurance covers you against medical expenses, disability, accidental death, and dismemberment that you may suffer due to accident without any of your fault. It is therefore in the interest of natural justice that you be suitably compensated for your loss or damage, by the person whose negligence caused such damage, or the company under whom you are insured. To take out such an insurance policy, you will need to pay a monthly premium. But the advantages you derive largely outweigh the small setback of paying a regular premium. Such premiums are is mostly affordable.

If you suffer an accident in course of performance of your duties, the insurer will bear your medical expenses to the limit as prescribed in your insurance policy. In case of your death, your policy claim would support your family. On the other hand, in case of dismemberment or disability, it will provide you with a sustained livelihood. Accident insurance is the only way you can protect yourself and your family.

The occupational accident insurance policy is however not without any drawback. The insurance policy is limited in nature, and covers you only in case of accident. Therefore, most people prefer it as an addendum to the original policy that they are holding. Many a times you will find that the benefits promised under the occupational accident insurance scheme are already well covered by your main insurance policy. Therefore, there are quite a few who do not prefer to add an extra premium burden by enrolling under this plan.

However, there is a reason as to why you should have an occupational accident insurance policy. Those who are not covered under the workers’ compensation plan for any reason, should have the occupational accident insurance. It is also an ideal scheme where you cannot afford to pay high cost, but desire to have the best protection. Occupational accident insurance is not only for the workers, but also covers the entrepreneurs. Some of the policies have the advantage that they cover round the clock incidents. The insurance plan is similar to that of Worker Compensation insurance. Learn more about accident insurance plans at http://www.topaccidentinsurance.com

Certain aspects need attention before you take out a policy under the occupation accident insurance plan. First of all, you must know the period of validity of the insurance terms. You should also check up the duration of the scheme benefit, and whether they automatically lapse after certain period, say your attaining 65 years of age. There are quite a few options that are offered, and you must choose only the best suited to you. Another aspect to look for is, whether there is any pre-existing condition limitation to the policy. Once these few issues are resolved, you can safely purchase a policy under the occupational accident insurance policy.

By: Dean Forster

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