Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 1:29 am Post subject: tobacco
I was talking to a client that I submitted a life app on. He wanted to know about rates for his brother, who had recently quit using dip tobacco. In the course of the conversation, he essentially disclosed to me that he quit using tobacco about the same time. Now, I'm going to have to call underwriting and let them know that he in fact did NOT quit using over a year ago.
It's no question that I'm going to notify underwriting, but I am kind of curious on something.
He had an oral swab, urine sample, and blood sample taken. I'm wondering if guys like this would have beaten the system had I not caught this.
Just how long ago would tobacco have to be used to show up these tests?
For example, this guy ACTUALLY quit about 3 months ago. Would it have shown up? _________________ Register Now to have your Insurance queries solved.
Hello Anon,
Great job!! Too many agents I've dealt with would have just jokingly told the guy not to die of a tobacco related illness until the contestability period expired. Talk about leaving your E&O carrier's tail out on a limb.
Tobacco acts a lot like THC; the length of time it remains in your system depends on the proposed insured's frequency of use, physical make-up, build, diet, metabolism, and a few other things. I'm surprised that the phlebotomist missed it during the paramed - that doesn't usually happen.
You said he had an oral swab, urine, and blood specs taken. How did these results come back, or have they yet?
Most of the underwriters I know keep a file on agents who are not always as forthcoming as they should be. Keeping track of such things keeps their decisions from being questioned and ultimately saves the company money.
I can guarantee you that once your name is in "the book" your underwriting will take longer and very few (if any) questionable items
will be overlooked.
Keep up the good work!!
Anon, all I want to add is another 'Great job'. I know only very few agents that would offer up this new found information to their underwriter. Most (as InsInvestigatorins stated) would just keep quiet about it. Isn't it a shame that 'honesty and integrity' are the rarity today?
I would have thought that all those tests would have caught it, at least one of them should have anyway. So, are you going to tell your client that you are letting the underwriter know about this? He may backlash and cancel the policy on you. I am curious as to what you are going to tell the insured?
