Nonsmokers to Get Cheaper Insurance

Domestic life insurance companies are offering discounts in insurance premiums to customers who do not smoke.

Samsung Life Insurance Co. is selling a whole-life policy with a 10 percent discount to clients who have not smoked for more than one year before buying the product. Those with a normal blood pressure, electrocardiogram and body shape are eligible for discounts of up to 12 percent.

Other life insurers, including Kyobo, Tong Yang, Prudential and New York Life, are offering nonsmokers similar discounts.

Experts said that policyholders who begin smoking after buying insurance will have their premiums raised. Policyholders who later suffer from smoking-related illnesses such as lung cancer can be tested to find out whether they have smoked, they added.