Does chewing tobacco increase life insurance rates?

Most insurance companies consider tobacco use a very negative factor and usually they won’t differentiate use of particular types.  They don’t care if you inject it, inhale it, eat it, wear it, or just chew nicotine based gum.  If you have nicotine in your blood when you submit to the exam—you’re penalized as a tobacco/nicotine user and given a rate consistent with that. 

There are a few exceptions though.  Prudential Life Insurance Company and Midland National Life Insurance Company happen to be two carriers that are somewhat kind to users of smokeless tobacco.  Someone who chews tobacco and is otherwise in excellent health may be eligible for a “non-smoker plus” rate at Prudential.  If  a smokeless tobacco user is looking for a permanent plan, Midland will be kind to chewers when put through the underwriting process.  Prudential opens the door much wider though and is usually the “go-to” carrier when a broker is asked to help someone who uses nicotine products but doesn’t smoke.  Their entire product line is pretty much fair game for chewers and, since their rates are very reasonable at the non-smoker plus rates, they’re a wise choice.