Answer to Readers Question: You may want to ask your agent or company about your policy specifically. However, what typically happens is that if you have had a policy with the rate of a non-smoker for more than two years and need to file a claim, and the insurance company discovers that you are and have been a smoker, the company may take part of the death benefit to pay the difference in back premium between a smoker and non-smoker. So, in essence, the death benefit will be smaller to pay the back smoker premiums. The reason two years makes a difference is because the incontestability clause may play a part in how the death benefit is paid or not-paid. In this case, it may not play a role. I would ask either a company representative anonymously or maybe even your agent.

Remember there is a two year contestability period on all life insurance. If you die before then they don’t have to pay. The life insurance company is stuck with the policy and must pay the full claim, as long as the applicant did not lie during the application process.