The Santa Index 2012: St. Nick's Efforts Worth About $135,000 This Year

Here's how cigar smokers see the best life insurance rates drift away.

The lowest five life insurance quotes for that 20-year, $250,000 level-premium term life policy range from $3,700 to $4,838 if we say the 215-pound Santa has never smoked. Once we enter the information about his pipe puffing, the lowest five rates range from $3,700 to $9,210.

Risky occupation

We can't say for sure how much Santa's job would drive up his life insurance premiums, but we imagine piloting a sleigh in the dark of night in all kinds of weather is bound to raise some red flags at the life insurance company offices.

If you fly airplanes, some insurers, before issuing a policy, will want to know how many hours you fly each year and the type of aircraft you use. Santa's annual all-nighter driving a toy-laden sleigh is probably not going to put risk-averse minds at ease. Nor are the eight tiny reindeer, who, according to eyewitness accounts, must be called by name and constantly cajoled to dash away, whether it's to the top of the porch or to the top of the wall.

Of course there is the shiny red-nose guidance system, a safety precaution in foggy weather. But consistent reports of pawing and prancing on snowy and icy rooftops remain troubling.

Here are more risky adventures that'll freak out your life insurance company.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol

Santa's bowl-full-of-jelly belly has us worried. Doctors say people who carry extra weight around the middle are more at risk for serious health problems, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol, than people who carry extra weight in the hips and thighs. Both types of unhealthy readings put people in high-risk categories for life insurance.

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