Life insurance for smokers.
Learn about life insurance for smokers. And find out what your options are with Tesco Life Insurance.
Published: 17 March 2026
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Can I get life insurance if I smoke?
You can still take out life insurance if you smoke. But smoking will affect the price you pay.
Smoking increases your risk of serious health conditions. This includes:
- cancercancer
- heart diseaseheart disease
- respiratory problemsrespiratory problems
So, you will pay more for life insurance to cover the increased risk of you making a claim.
When you apply for cover with Tesco Life Insurance, you’ll need to answer some questions about your health. This includes whether you’re a smoker or not. It’s important to answer these questions accurately and honestly to make sure your policy’s valid.
Does vaping count as smoking?
Aviva, our life insurance provider, treats vaping the same way as smoking. That’s because it still comes with health risks. Smoking also includes:
- pipes or cigarspipes or cigars
- nicotine replacements, like patches, gum or lozengesnicotine replacements, like patches, gum or lozenges
It also doesn’t matter if you only smoke or vape occasionally. Your premiums are still likely to be higher than for non-smokers.
We explain what some of the key terms - like premiums - mean in our life insurance glossary.
What counts as a non-smoker for life insurance?
Aviva counts you as a previous smoker if you haven’t smoked or used nicotine replacements for 12 months or more. But your premiums might still be higher than if you’ve never smoked.
You’ll be classed as a non-smoker if you haven’t smoked or used nicotine replacements for at least 5 years.
Do I have to tell my insurer that I smoke?
You’ll need to let Aviva know you smoke when you apply for life insurance. It’s important to be as honest with the information you give about your health.
If your answers aren’t complete and accurate, it might mean:
- your policy start date is delayedyour policy start date is delayed
- the cost of your cover has to go upthe cost of your cover has to go up
or
- your policy is cancelled altogetheryour policy is cancelled altogether
How much is life insurance for smokers?
Life insurance is usually higher for smokers. For example, a 35-year-old who wants £150,000 of life insurance for 25 years with Tesco Life Insurance would pay:
- from £11.22 a month if they were a non-smokerfrom £11.22 a month if they were a non-smoker
- £21.18 a month if they were a smoker*£21.18 a month if they were a smoker*
You can learn more about things that might affect the cost of your policy in our guide - How much does life insurance cost?
What if I start smoking after I get life insurance?
If you start to smoke after your cover starts, your policy usually won’t change. That’s because it’s based on your health at the time you took out the policy, it is important to give the correct information at the point of taking cover out. So, you should continue to pay the same amount each month.
What if I quit smoking after I get life insurance?
If you quit smoking while you have a life insurance policy, this won’t automatically change the price you pay.
However, if you don’t smoke or use nicotine replacements for 5 years or more, you might want to consider getting a new quote.
Bear in mind, if you cancel your policy, you won’t get any money back from the policy you’ve been paying so far. And your history as a smoker might still affect the cost. But you might pay a lower premium on a new policy.
Where can I get help with quitting smoking?
Giving up smoking is not only good for your health. It can also lower your life insurance premium.
The NHS offers free, local stop smoking services across the UK. You can also get advice to help you quit smoking online.
Why get Tesco Life Insurance?
At Tesco Insurance, we want to help you with the things that matter most. That’s why Tesco Life Insurance comes with a Big Win and lots of Little Helps.
- Clubcard Prices - Get an exclusive discount on Tesco Life Insurance with your Clubcard.Clubcard Prices - Get an exclusive discount on Tesco Life Insurance with your Clubcard.
- Your Big Win - Get a welcome gift after you've paid 6 months' premiums. Available on policies with a 3‑year minimum term. T&Cs apply.Your Big Win - Get a welcome gift after you've paid 6 months' premiums. Available on policies with a 3‑year minimum term. T&Cs apply.
- Your Little Helps - Get a full year of coupons in your Tesco grocery app to help you shop at Tesco. Available on policies with a 3‑year minimum term, Clubcard app required and must be opted in to Tesco marketing. T&Cs apply.Your Little Helps - Get a full year of coupons in your Tesco grocery app to help you shop at Tesco. Available on policies with a 3‑year minimum term, Clubcard app required and must be opted in to Tesco marketing. T&Cs apply.
As well as your Tesco benefits, you’ll also get access to health and wellbeing services with the Aviva DigiCare+ app, provided by Square Health and other selected partners.
Tesco Life Insurance is provided and administered by Aviva, who have a 5-star rating from Defaqto for life insurance and pay out on 98.8% of claims.
About our data
*Price based on Aviva Life Insurance figures from July 2024.
Important information
About Tesco Life Insurance
Tesco Life Insurance is arranged, administered and underwritten by Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited.
Tesco Personal Finance Ltd acts as an introducer to Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Member of the Association of British Insurers. Firm Reference Number 185896.
Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited. Registered in England & Wales No. 3253947. Registered Office: Aviva, Wellington Row, York, YO90 1WR. Tesco Personal Finance Ltd and Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited. are not part of the same corporate group.
About Tesco Insurance
Tesco Insurance is a trading name of Tesco Personal Finance Ltd, Registered Office: 2 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9FQ (registered in Scotland, no SC173199) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (register no. 186022).
Aviva DigiCare+ app
With the Aviva DigiCare+ app, you can start using a range of health and wellbeing services when you take out your policy.
Members of your family can use it too, as long as they're eligible.
The Aviva DigiCare+ app is provided by Square Health. The services are provided by Square Health and other selected partners.
You'll find full details about the services in the app, along with the terms and conditions, residency restrictions and privacy policy.
Aviva DigiCare+ is a non-contractual benefit that could be changed or withdrawn by Aviva at any time. So, it won't appear in any contract you've signed, or in any terms and conditions.
Life Insurance policy booklets
Please check the policy documents to make sure the cover you’ve chosen meets your needs.
The policy booklet and product information documents tell you about the benefits, limitations and exclusions that’ll apply to your cover.
Tesco Life Insurance is provided, administered and underwritten by Aviva Life & Pensions UK Limited.
Aviva have a 5-star rating for life insurance from Defaqto. And they pay out on 98.8% of life insurance claims*.
*Aviva UK individual claims report 2025, based on claims paid in 2024.
Learn more about Life Insurance
Find the right cover to give financial support to your family after you’ve gone. Tesco Life Insurance comes with Clubcard Prices, some great Tesco shopping benefits and Aviva DigiCare+.