Know this key health insurance rule: Smoking and alcohol habits could cost you more; avoid claim rejection.
Siddhi Jain July 16, 2026 06:15 PM

Health Policy Tips: It is essential to provide accurate information about habits like smoking and alcohol consumption when purchasing health insurance. Providing incorrect information can lead to higher premiums and the risk of future claim rejection.

Health Insurance Premium: People often focus solely on premiums, coverage, and the list of cashless hospitals when buying new health insurance. However, did you know that insurance companies also assess your lifestyle and health-related habits before issuing a policy? Consequently, if you smoke or consume alcohol, it can impact everything from your premium to the processing of future claims.

If you are considering purchasing health insurance, disclose all details regarding your health-related habits accurately. Providing incorrect or incomplete information could cause your policy to get stalled or even rejected during future claim settlements. Therefore, it is crucial to be transparent about your habits when buying the policy to avoid any complications later.

How do smoking and alcohol affect premiums?

Smoking increases the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, and various lung ailments. For this reason, insurance companies may charge smokers higher premiums compared to non-smokers.

Similarly, if you consume alcohol regularly in large quantities and a medical assessment indicates a higher health risk, your premium may be increased. In some instances, the company might also require you to undergo a medical test.

Can a claim get rejected?

If you are worried that your claim might be rejected simply because you smoke or consume alcohol, rest assured—that is not the case. Problems arise only if you concealed these habits at the time of purchasing the policy. If you have provided accurate information about your habits during the application process and adhered to all the terms and conditions of the policy, you will not face any issues with claim settlement.

How can you avoid claim rejection?

Provide accurate information in the health insurance form.
Do not conceal your medical history.
Be sure to disclose details regarding smoking and alcohol consumption habits.

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