Diabetes is one of the most common health conditions I encounter when helping clients apply for life insurance. Many people with diabetes assume they cannot get coverage, or that the cost will be prohibitively expensive. Neither of those things is necessarily true.
The reality is that most people with diabetes can get life insurance. The type you have, how well it is managed, and whether you have developed complications all affect what carriers will offer you. But with the right approach and the right agent guiding the process, coverage is very much within reach.
How Insurers View Diabetes
Life insurance carriers evaluate risk. When you apply with a diabetes diagnosis, they want to understand how your condition affects your long-term health outlook. They are looking at several factors.
Type of diabetes. Type 1 and Type 2 are evaluated differently. Type 1 diabetes typically develops early in life and requires insulin management from the start. Type 2 often develops later and may be managed with oral medication, lifestyle changes, or insulin. Carriers generally view well-managed Type 2 as a more favorable risk than Type 1, though coverage is available for both.
A1C level. Your A1C is a key metric that shows your average blood sugar control over the past two to three months. Carriers want to see this number within a manageable range. Lower A1C levels signal good control and lead to better offers.
Age at diagnosis. When you were diagnosed matters. A person diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at age 50 may be viewed differently than someone diagnosed at age 25, because the duration of the condition affects cumulative health risk.
Medications. Carriers want to know what you are taking and whether your treatment plan has been stable. Consistent use of prescribed medication signals that you are managing your condition responsibly.
Complications. This is where things get more nuanced. Diabetes can lead to complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and cardiovascular system. If you have experienced complications, carriers will weigh the severity and how well they are being managed. Mild complications may result in a rated policy. Severe complications may limit your options to simplified or guaranteed issue products.
What to Expect: Type 2 Diabetes
Most of my clients with diabetes have Type 2, and the majority of them qualify for traditional coverage. Here is what the process typically looks like.
If your Type 2 diabetes is well-controlled with medication, your A1C is in a favorable range, and you have no significant complications, carriers will offer you a standard or slightly rated policy. You will pay more than someone without diabetes, but the premium is often reasonable, especially for term life insurance.
If your control is moderate, your A1C is somewhat elevated, or you have had minor complications, you may receive a table-rated policy. Table ratings add a percentage to the standard premium, increasing in steps. The better your numbers, the lower the rating.
If your diabetes is poorly controlled, you experienced serious complications, or you have been inconsistent with treatment, traditional underwriting becomes more difficult. In these cases, simplified issue or no-exam policies provide alternatives with less scrutiny but higher premiums.
What to Expect: Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes presents a higher underwriting challenge than Type 2 because it requires lifelong insulin management and carriers view it as carrying more long-term risk. However, coverage is still available.
If your Type 1 diabetes is well-managed, and your A1C is within an acceptable range, and you have not developed significant complications, some carriers will offer standard or rated coverage. The number of carriers willing to underwrite Type 1 is smaller than for Type 2, which is why working with an independent agent who knows the market is especially important.
If traditional coverage is not available or the premiums are too high, simplified issue and guaranteed issue policies ensure you can still put protection in place for your family.
Tips for Getting the Best Rate
Your preparation before applying can make a real difference in the offer you receive. Here is what I recommend to every client with diabetes.
Get Your A1C Tested Before Applying
Know your numbers before the carrier tests them. If your A1C is trending downward or is within a favorable range, that works in your favor. If it is higher than you would like, talk to your doctor about strategies to bring it down before you apply. Even a modest improvement can affect your rating.
Keep Your Medical Records Current
Carriers will request your medical records as part of the underwriting process. Make sure your recent visits, lab results, and treatment plan are documented. Gaps in your medical history can raise red flags, even if there is nothing wrong.
Be Completely Honest on Your Application
Never downplay or omit your diabetes diagnosis on a life insurance application. Carriers verify your medical history through the MIB (Medical Information Bureau), prescription databases, and your attending physician's statement. If they discover a discrepancy, it can result in a decline or, worse, a denied claim down the road.
Honesty also helps me, as your agent, find the right carrier. If I know exactly what we are working with, I can target companies that have a track record of offering competitive rates to applicants with diabetes.
Follow Your Treatment Plan Consistently
Carriers look for evidence that you are actively managing your condition. Consistent medication use, regular doctor visits, and adherence to dietary and exercise recommendations all signal responsible management. If your records show gaps in treatment or frequent changes in medication, carriers may view that as higher risk.
Work With an Independent Agent
This is the single most important step. Different carriers have very different tolerance levels for diabetes. One company might decline an applicant that another company would rate as standard. An independent agent who works with multiple carriers knows which companies are diabetes-friendly and can steer you toward the best option without wasting time on applications that are likely to be declined.
Policy Types for People with Diabetes
Fully Underwritten Term or Whole Life
If your diabetes is well-managed, a fully underwritten policy is almost always the best value. You will get the most coverage per premium dollar, and you will have access to the full range of term lengths and permanent options. Term life is the most affordable choice, while whole life provides lifelong coverage with cash value.
Simplified Issue
Simplified issue policies require health questions but no medical exam. They are a good fit if your diabetes management falls in a gray area that makes traditional underwriting unpredictable. Coverage amounts are typically lower and premiums higher than fully underwritten policies.
Guaranteed Issue
Guaranteed issue policies accept everyone within a specified age range, no questions asked. They are the safety net for people who cannot qualify for any other type of coverage. Premiums are the highest, coverage is usually limited, and there is a graded benefit period during the first two or three years. But they guarantee that you can put some level of protection in place.
The Cost of Waiting
If you have diabetes, waiting to apply works against you in multiple ways. Your A1C could worsen. Complications could develop. You age into higher premium brackets. And if a secondary condition appears, your options become even more limited.
The best time to apply is when your diabetes is well-controlled and you are in the best health possible. Locking in a rate now protects you against future changes in your health that could make coverage more expensive or harder to get.
Get Your Free Quote
If you have diabetes and are not sure where to start with life insurance, I am here to help. I work with people in your situation regularly and know which carriers are most likely to offer you the best rate based on your specific health profile.
I will review your situation, explain your options clearly, and guide you through the process from start to finish.
Get your free quote today and let's find the right coverage for you.