Last Updated: November 5, 2026
Put two 35 year olds side by side. Same city, same job, same ₹10 lakh policy. One has smoked since college and hasn’t exercised in years. The other walks every morning and has never touched tobacco. Their quotes won’t be the same, and the gap can be bigger than either of them expects. Insurers price a policy on how likely you are to claim, and the way you live is a big part of that picture.
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Why Insurers Ask About Your Habits
An insurer has no way of knowing who will fall ill next year. What it does have is years of claims data, and that data shows clear patterns. People who use tobacco, drink heavily, or carry a lot of extra weight tend to be admitted to the hospital more often and for costlier treatment. So the proposal form asks about these things. The questions are there to price that risk.
How Much Does Tobacco Push Up the Premium?
More than anything else on the form, usually. Tobacco is tied to heart disease, stroke, lung problems, and several cancers, which are some of the most expensive conditions to treat. Insurers generally charge tobacco users noticeably more than non-users for the same cover, and some ask for a medical test before they’ll issue the policy.
In India, “tobacco” means a lot more than cigarettes. Bidis, gutka, khaini, and paan with tobacco all count, and the form usually asks about them. If you quit a while ago, ask whether the insurer will treat you as a non-user. Some will review the premium once you’ve been tobacco-free for a year or more.
Alcohol Is About How Much, Not Whether
A drink at a wedding or a beer on the weekend won’t change much. Regular heavy drinking is a different story, because it’s linked to liver disease, high blood pressure, and accidents. Expect questions about how often you drink and roughly how much. Answer them straight. And read the exclusions too, since most policies won’t pay for treatment of conditions caused directly by alcohol or drug abuse.
Does Weight Affect What You Pay?
It can. Insurers don’t usually penalize a few extra kilos, but a body mass index well above the healthy range raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and joint trouble. That might mean a higher premium or a request for tests before the policy is approved. If you already have a weight-related condition like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s treated as pre-existing, which brings its own waiting period.
Your Job and Weekend Hobbies Count Too
A software engineer and a construction supervisor face different risks of getting hurt, and some insurers factor that in. Hobbies matter as well. Trekking at high altitude, scuba diving, paragliding, or bike racing are often excluded from standard health cover. If your weekends involve something like that, check the exclusions list before you assume an injury would be paid for.
What Happens in a Family Floater?
Everyone’s details go on the same proposal form, so each person’s habits are taken into account. One smoker in the house, or someone with poorly controlled diabetes, can raise the premium for the shared policy. When you’re comparing health insurance plans for family, fill in each member’s habits carefully. It’s tempting to rush through the other names after doing your own, but that’s exactly where mistakes creep in.
Why You Should Never Fudge the Form
Ticking “no” on the tobacco question might save a little on the premium. It can also cost you the policy. Say you’re later admitted with a heart problem and the hospital notes mention you smoke. The insurer can reject the claim for nondisclosure and may cancel the cover altogether. Paying a bit more each year is far cheaper than losing your cover at the moment you need it most.
Can Healthy Habits Bring the Premium Down?
With a growing number of insurers, yes. Some plans link to a fitness app or band and give you points for hitting step counts or activity goals. Collect enough and you get a discount at renewal. Others offer a free annual health checkup, discounts at gyms or diagnostic labs, or access to diet and fitness coaching. The rewards vary a lot, and some come with conditions, so read how the program works before you count on the savings. If you already walk or exercise most days, though, the discount is a nice bonus for a habit you already have.
Small Changes Add Up Over Time
Your habits aren’t the only thing that sets your premium. Age, city, and cover amount all play a part. But they’re the part you can actually change. Quitting tobacco, staying active, and keeping your weight in a healthy range can bring the cost down over the years and make a claim less likely in the first place. When you compare health insurance plans, look for ones that reward healthy living, and be completely honest about the habits you’re still working on.
