Insurers prefer hard smokers and serious diseases

The German insurer, Quantum Leben, is marketing new insurance policies proposing additional retirement for hard smokers. For equal contributions, the guarantees offered may be 15% higher than those granted to individuals in good health. Only those people who are really addicted to smoking will be eligible for the cover. This addiction has to be verified by clinical evidence such as tests by the insurer before underwriting occurs.

Another German insurer, Munchener LV 1871, is proposing retirement supplement to the insured who are suffering from declared serious diseases, with compensations also higher than those disbursed to people in good health. These insurers are counting on the shorter life expectancy for individuals with high risks.