Take a Look from an Insurance Perspective
Given the health risks listed above, vapers are classified as smokers and are usually risk rated the same way. A vaper/smoker is deemed more at risk of prolonged infection, so sickness cover is highly advisable. Vapers need to declare to prospective insurers how frequently a substance is used, how much of it is used, and whether anything else is consumed alongside it – like alcohol or substances of abuse.
Dr Weber concludes, “Reinsurers and insurers like Sanlam have always applied a scientific, rational and fair approach in underwriting substance use and this remains unchanged in the context of vaping or any other substance:
We underwrite based on: (1) frequency of use, (2) history of any addiction and treatment thereof, (3) use of a single substance in combination with other substances, (4) a person’s age, (5) occupation, (6) the financial services products being applied for and (7) existing medical conditions that may impact the use of the substance.
The risk rating that is calculated considers these factors in conjunction with clinical evidence and claims experienced both nationally and internationally. Any claim will be assessed on its own merits and general exclusions on substance use will still apply to your specific plan.
This means that we have a ‘philosophy’ about smoking e-cigarettes that we review and adapt over time as new evidence comes to the fore. This allows us to remain objective and open to new research. These deaths and respiratory complaints need to be monitored and should a direct scientific link be proven, we will adjust our approach in terms of risk rating these clients accordingly.
Right now, there are lots of grey areas. We are still gathering scientific evidence about the long-term side effects of vaping but we await the final outcome of these cases in the US to determine whether an exact causal relationship to vaping could be established with these cases.”