It's not worth lying on a life insurance policy, as tests by companies are too sophisticated now.
Rockwell Finance Managing Director Robert Whelan was speaking as a new survey found more than one-in-10 45 to 54 year olds have been economical with the truth about their smoking or drinking habits to get cheaper life insurance.
The survey from Peopl Insurance also found that more than one-in-20 of those who sought life or serious illness cover have struggled to get the insurance due to a health issue, with women and those aged 25 to 34 most likely to struggle.
Mr Whelan told Newstalk Breakfast it's simply not worth it.
"If people are needing life insurance for a bank to get a mortgage, it's the pressure that they're under to make sure that they actually get that life insurance - because it's the one thing holding up the move to their dream home," he said.
"Some people in desperate times will resort to desperate measures".
'They'll find the evidence'
Mr Whelan said no insurance company will hand over any lump sum without doing their own research.
"You'll always find evidence of alcohol consumption in the liver," he said.
"With regard to smoking... their tests on smoking habits are so sophisticated now, it's extraordinarily difficult.
"Even if you stopped smoking 10 or 15 years ago, they'll find the evidence.
"Whether you smoke one cigarette or 30 a day, you're a smoker".
'It's not worth it'
Mr Whelan said people need to be truthful for their own benefit.
"It's not worth it - why are you paying a premium if it's never going to pay out?" he said.
"Just disclose everything; modern underwriting has allowed insurance companies to take a pragmatic view, more so than it was even 10 years ago.
"There's been a move by the industry which successfully has gotten cancer survivors the ability to get life insurance with the Irish Cancer Society.
"From the 6th of December, someone who has finished their cancer treatment over seven years ago can now apply and get life insurance," he added.
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