Affordable Life Insurance Protection for Your Family Frequently Asked Questions and Answers to Life Insurance for Smokers Do Life Insurance Companies Test for Smoking? Yes, they do check for nicotine in your system. Life insurance carriers charge a higher rate for smokers because smoking increases your risk of health problems that increase your risk of dying at an earlier age. How Do Life Insurers Test for Smoking? There are several ways a life insurance company can determine if you smoke: How Long Does Tobacco Stay in Your System? Signs of tobacco use may stay in your system for up to a week or more; however, some doctors state that nicotine remains in the body for a day or two. A 1988 Surg... [Read more]