How smoking raises insurance costs

Smoking causes a lot of health complications and can lead to premature death. Individuals that smoke are twice as likely to visit the doctor more and they take 2 times the amount of sick days as non-smoking employees. People have heard that smoking and obesity are the reasons why health insurance costs are higher. This statement is not only true, it can also be said of other types of insurance like dental, life, and home owners insurance.

When a person smokes, they are at an increased risk of developing high blood pressure, cancer, strokes, lung disease, and other serious complications. Insurance companies recognize these problems and severe conditions and they will automatically place a smoker into a high risk pool. Companies are finding it harder to get cheaper insurance premiums if they have employees that smoke or are obese. To combat the higher rate, several employers are passing this amount onto the employees. Smokers will pay about 15 to 20 percent more for medical coverage than their non-smoking co-workers.

The American Lung Association has done several studies on smoking; recently they found that one in five deaths is caused from smoking. People that smoke will have a 7 year reduction in their life expectancy. Since smoking causes problems for several people, other insurance companies have started cracking down on it. Life insurance companies will charge more money to cover a smoker and they don't always give them the amount of coverage as their co-workers, especially if they have existing health conditions.

Rental and home owners insurance companies also charge more money if a smoker is employed at a company. The reason why they charge more money is because smokers increase the risk of accidents and fires. Even auto insurance companies will charge smokers more money because they tend to smoke while driving. Smoking is considered a distraction and they place smokers in a higher risk category for getting into auto accidents.

Another type of insurance you will pay more for is dental insurance. People that smoke have a handful of dental problems from bad breath to discolored teeth. Dental insurance companies won't cover some of the procedures the dentist may have to perform because the individual is a smoker. It may even be difficult to get dental insurance to start with.

With all the additional costs of smoking, it is a wonder why people still do it. Smoking alone costs you over $1,200 a year just to purchase the cigarettes. Then you need to pay for the trips to the gas station or grocery store to buy the cigarettes. In addition to the costs just to buy the cigarettes, you will decrease the value of your assets. Trying to sell your home will be hard because the smell of cigarette smoke will be embedded in the walls, even if you try not to smoke in the home.

Your car is another thing that will be difficult to sell because the smell of smoke sticks to the upholstery. Even the best cleaning company may not be able to get the smell of cigarette smoke out of your car and you will end up losing a lot of money on the car when you try to sell it.

People that smoke are often discriminated against when it comes to getting a job. Employers now have the right to refuse to hire a smoker because of the increased medical costs they bring to the company. The best option you have for your career and your wallet is to quit smoking. Your employers will respect you for it and you will have more money to spend on the important things in life.

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Employee Health and Fitness

How smoking raises insurance costs