A. If you have smoked in the past 12 months, most health insurance companies will increase your rates. Humana, United, and Celtic increase rates 20 to 25% for smokers. Other companies, such as Aetna, might allow a smoker to get health insurance at a preferred rate, but it might be more difficult if the smoker has other health conditions. However, if you decide to quit smoking after you have started your policy, most companies will allow you to reapply and get a lower rate if you are nicotine free for 12 months.

A pack-a-day smoker spends about $1600 a year in cigarette costs alone. If the detrimental health costs of cigarettes are not enough of an incentive to quit smoking, then think about the potential savings in health insurance costs alone. By proving that you are nicotine free for 12 months, you will save hundreds of dollars on your annual premium. This, in addition to the $1600 saved in annual cigarette costs, is enough to pay for most if not all of an individual's annual health insurance costs.