Securian - Underwriting Updates for Non-Combustible Tobacco Use and Recreational Marijuana

11-04-2022

Securian Financial has developed a reputation for improving underwriting standards through ongoing research and development. Many factors go into an underwriting decision. The below guidelines are for non-combustible tobacco use and recreational use of marijuana.

Non-combustible tobacco use and non-tobacco exceptions

Based on research and development and the ability to test for a marker of tobacco combustion, we can improve ratings for clients who use non-combustible tobacco, such as chewing tobacco and snuff, as well as e-cigarettes and other nicotine delivery devices.

  • To qualify for this mortality credit program, a client must meet the following: - Non-combustible tobacco use such as chewing tobacco, snuff and nicotine delivery devices - No use of cigarettes or cigars in the past 10 years - Thiocyanate (tobacco combustion marker) is negative
  • If client meets all of the criteria above, we will improve from tobacco to non-tobacco rates but assess a one-class downgrade:
    • Preferred Tobacco to Standard Non-Tobacco
    • Standard Tobacco to Table B Non-Tobacco
    • Table B Tobacco to Table C Non-Tobacco

Examples

  • Male, 45 years old, qualifies for Preferred Tobacco rates before applying non-combustible guidelines:
    • Uses two tins of chewing tobacco per week but hasn’t used cigarettes in 20 years.
    • Lab tests confirm positive nicotine marker but negative thiocyanate marker.

Rating improvement: Can offer Non-Tobacco Plus rates. Drops from Preferred Select (what he would qualify for if he had no tobacco use history) to Non-Tobacco Plus rates.

  • Female, 28 years old, qualifies for Standard Tobacco rates before applying non-combustible guidelines:
    • Uses e-cigarette on weekends.
    • Lab tests confirm positive nicotine marker but negative thiocyanate marker.
    • Aside from the tobacco history, she would otherwise qualify for Non-Tobacco Plus rates.

Rating improvement: Can offer Standard Non-Tobacco rates. Drops from Non-Tobacco Plus (what she would qualify for if there were no history of tobacco use) to Standard Non-Tobacco rates

 

Recreational marijuana use guidelines:

Recreational marijuana use guidelines apply to applicants over age 18 and for marijuana that is ingested, inhaled or administered topically. Marijuana that is inhaled whether for medicinal or recreational purposes is considered as recreational marijuana use.

Usage Underwriting Class

Up to 3 times per month

  • Negative marijuana marker
  • Negative cotinine test
Preferred - Select

12 or less uses per month

  • Negative marijuana marker
  • Negative cotinine test
Preferred Non-tobacco
12-16 uses per month Non-tobacco Plus
More than 16 uses per month

Table B Tobacco

  • Tobacco rates apply with inhalation use

 

Additional considerations:

  • Medicinal Marijuana – Use frequency of use ratings above in addition to rating for impairment being treated
  • CBD oil – No additional rating and eligible for Preferred Select

Please give us a call at 1-800-792-6795 if you have any questions about these updates.