Manulife removes need for nicotine testing for some life insurance applicants

By Canadian Press

Published: February 7, 2017 at 5:56 PM

PARIS - JANUARY 31: An unidentified man smokes a cigarette in the street outside his office on January 31, 2007 in Paris, France. France introduces a smoking ban in public places from February 1, 2007. Bars, restaurants, hotels and night clubs will follow from January 1, 2008. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)Stock photo of a person smoking. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Manulife is removing the need for nicotine testing for some of its life insurance applicants as part of its efforts to streamline the process.

The company says nicotine tests will no longer be required for individual policies for eligible applicants aged 18 to 40, on policies that pay up to $1 million in benefits.

The company (TSX:MFC) says data analytics allow it to predict the likelihood that somebody is a smoker based on application forms, without meeting with a paramedical professional who tests for nicotine.

Manulife announced last May that it was removing the need for blood and urine tests on Manulife term life products.

Tuesday's announcement expands that to all individual life insurance paying up to $1 million, including whole life and universal life policies.

Manulife said it's also reducing electrocardiogram testing requirements for older age groups applying for up to $5 million in coverage.