Life Insurance for Diabetics

If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, you may have heard that getting life insurance is impossible — or that the premiums will be so high they're not worth it. That's simply not true.

Millions of Americans with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes carry life insurance policies. The landscape has improved significantly in recent years as insurers have become more sophisticated in evaluating diabetic applicants. Better medications, continuous glucose monitors, and improved management protocols mean that many diabetics live long, healthy lives — and insurance companies know it.

The real question isn't whether you can get life insurance with diabetes. It's how to get the best coverage at the best rate. This guide walks you through what insurers look for, how diabetes affects your premiums, which policy types work best, and practical strategies to improve your chances of approval.

Yes, You Can Get Life Insurance With Diabetes

Let's start with the most important point: a diabetes diagnosis does not disqualify you from life insurance. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics can get coverage. The key factors are how well your condition is managed, whether you have complications, and which insurer you apply with.

Insurance companies evaluate risk on a spectrum. They don't simply approve or deny — they assign you a rating class that determines your premium:

• Preferred Plus / Preferred — The best rates, reserved for excellent health. Rarely available for diabetics, but well-managed Type 2 diabetics have occasionally qualified.
• Standard — Average rates. Achievable for Type 2 diabetics with good A1C levels, no complications, and a healthy lifestyle.
• Substandard / Table-rated — Higher than standard rates, applied when the condition presents elevated risk. Common for Type 1 diabetics and Type 2 diabetics with complications.
• Decline — The insurer won't offer coverage. This happens with poorly managed diabetes, severe complications, or recent diagnosis with insufficient treatment history.

Each insurance company has its own underwriting guidelines. One insurer may decline you while another offers standard rates. This is why working with an independent agent who shops multiple carriers is critical.

How Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes Affects Your Rates

Insurers treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes differently because they represent different risk profiles.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is far more common (roughly 90-95% of diabetes cases) and is generally viewed as less risky by insurers — especially when well-managed.

Favorable factors for Type 2 applicants:

• A1C below 7.0 — This is the single most important number insurers look at.
• Managed with diet, exercise, or oral medication (metformin, for example) rather than insulin.
• Diagnosed after age 40 — Later onset is viewed more favorably.
• No complications — No neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, or cardiovascular issues.
• Healthy BMI — Being at or near a healthy weight shows active management.
• Regular doctor visits — Consistent monitoring demonstrates responsibility.

A well-managed Type 2 diabetic can often secure a standard rating, meaning premiums that are close to what a non-diabetic applicant would pay.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition typically diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood. Because it requires lifelong insulin therapy and carries a higher risk of complications, insurers are more cautious.

What insurers evaluate for Type 1 applicants:

• A1C levels — Below 7.5 is generally viewed favorably. Below 7.0 is excellent.
• Age at diagnosis — How long you've managed the condition matters.
• Insulin management — Pump users who demonstrate tight control may receive better consideration.
• History of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) — Frequent DKA episodes are a red flag.
• Complications — Any organ damage significantly increases premiums or causes a decline.

Type 1 diabetics should expect substandard (table-rated) pricing at minimum, but many carriers will still offer coverage. A healthy 35-year-old Type 1 diabetic with an A1C of 6.8 and no complications can absolutely secure a policy.

What Insurers Look For on Your Application

When you apply for life insurance with diabetes, the underwriting team examines several key data points:

A1C Levels

Your A1C (glycated hemoglobin) measures your average blood sugar over the past 2-3 months. This is the most important number for your application.

• Below 7.0 — Excellent. Opens the most options and best rates.
• 7.0 to 7.5 — Good. Most carriers will offer coverage, though at slightly elevated rates.
• 7.5 to 8.0 — Moderate. Expect table-rated premiums. Fewer carriers available.
• Above 8.0 — Challenging. Many traditional carriers will decline. Simplified or guaranteed issue may be your best route.

Medications

Insurers want to know what you're taking and whether your treatment plan is stable. Oral medications (metformin, glipizide, etc.) are viewed more favorably than insulin for Type 2 diabetics. For Type 1 diabetics, insulin is expected — the focus shifts to how well you're managing with it.

Complications

Diabetes-related complications dramatically affect your insurability:

• Cardiovascular disease — Heart disease is the leading concern for diabetic life insurance applicants.
• Neuropathy — Nerve damage, especially in the extremities.
• Retinopathy — Eye damage or vision loss.
• Nephropathy — Kidney damage or reduced function.
• Peripheral artery disease — Reduced blood flow, particularly to the legs.

If you have no complications, your application is significantly stronger. If you do have complications, it doesn't mean coverage is impossible — but your options narrow and premiums increase.

Other Health Factors

Insurers don't evaluate your diabetes in isolation. They also look at your blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, smoking status, family history, and overall health. A diabetic applicant with excellent cardiovascular health and no other risk factors will fare better than one with multiple comorbidities.

Policy Options for Diabetics

You have several paths to coverage, each with different trade-offs.

Traditional Underwritten Policies (Best Rates)

If your diabetes is well-managed, a fully underwritten term or whole life policy offers the lowest premiums and highest coverage amounts. You'll complete a medical exam (blood work, urine sample, height/weight), and the insurer reviews your medical records.

This is the best option if you qualify, and it's worth pursuing first. Browse available life insurance options to understand the types of policies available.

Simplified Issue Policies (No Medical Exam)

Simplified issue policies skip the medical exam but still ask health questions on the application. Coverage limits are typically lower (often $50,000 to $500,000), and premiums are higher than fully underwritten policies.

These work well for diabetics who:

• Want faster approval (often within days).
• Have moderately managed diabetes that might not pass full underwriting.
• Need a smaller coverage amount.

Our guide on no-exam life insurance covers these options in detail.

Guaranteed Issue Policies (No Questions Asked)

Guaranteed issue life insurance accepts everyone regardless of health. No medical exam, no health questions. Coverage is typically limited to $5,000 to $25,000, premiums are the highest of any policy type, and there's usually a 2 to 3 year waiting period before the full death benefit kicks in (if you die during the waiting period, the insurer returns your premiums plus interest instead of paying the death benefit).

This is a last-resort option for diabetics who cannot qualify for any other type of coverage.

Life Insurance for Cancer Patients

While this guide focuses on diabetes, many readers also ask: can you get life insurance if you have cancer?

The answer is yes — with important caveats:

• Active cancer treatment — Your options are limited to guaranteed issue policies during active treatment. Most traditional carriers won't offer coverage until you've completed treatment.
• In remission, less than 1 year — Very few carriers will consider you. Some simplified issue products may be available.
• In remission, 1-3 years — More carriers open up, though expect substandard (table-rated) pricing. The specific cancer type, stage at diagnosis, and treatment all matter.
• In remission, 5+ years — Many carriers will offer standard or near-standard rates, depending on the type and stage of cancer.

Early-stage cancers (Stage 0 or Stage 1) with successful treatment and clean follow-ups are viewed much more favorably than advanced-stage cancers.

The same principle applies as with diabetes: every insurer underwrites differently. A carrier that declines a breast cancer survivor at 3 years may approve her at another company. Working with an independent agent who knows which carriers are most favorable for cancer survivors is essential.

For more on policy exclusions and limitations, see our article on what life insurance does not cover.

Tips to Get Better Rates as a Diabetic

You can take concrete steps to improve your chances of approval and lower your premiums.

1. Get Your A1C Below 7.0

This is the single highest-impact action you can take. If your A1C is currently 7.5, working with your doctor to bring it down before applying could save you thousands of dollars over the life of your policy.

2. Apply When Your Health Is Stable

Don't apply immediately after a medication change, hospitalization, or new complication. Wait until your numbers are stable and your medical records reflect consistent management.

3. Work With an Independent Agent

Captive agents (who work for one company) can only offer you that company's underwriting. An independent agent shops your application across dozens of carriers and knows which ones are most diabetic-friendly. This alone can be the difference between a decline and an approval.

Contact our team to work with independent agents who specialize in placing coverage for clients with pre-existing conditions.

4. Bring Documentation

Have your most recent A1C results, medication list, and doctor's notes ready. The more information you provide upfront, the smoother the underwriting process.

5. Don't Smoke

If you smoke and have diabetes, your premiums will be dramatically higher — sometimes 3 to 4 times what a non-smoking diabetic would pay. If you can quit before applying, you'll see a significant reduction. Most insurers require 12 months of being tobacco-free to qualify for non-smoker rates.

6. Consider a Graded Approach

If you're currently not in ideal shape for underwriting, consider securing a smaller guaranteed or simplified issue policy now for immediate coverage while you work on improving your health markers. Then apply for a larger, fully underwritten policy in 6 to 12 months.

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost for Diabetics?

Cost varies widely based on your age, health, coverage amount, and rating class. To give you a general sense, here's how life insurance costs might look for a well-managed Type 2 diabetic compared to a standard non-diabetic applicant:

$500,000, 20-year term policy, male, non-smoker:

| Age | Standard (non-diabetic) | Standard (Type 2, well-managed) | Table 2-4 (moderate risk) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 35 | $25-30/mo | $35-50/mo | $60-90/mo | | 45 | $45-55/mo | $65-95/mo | $110-160/mo | | 55 | $100-130/mo | $150-220/mo | $250-380/mo |

These are rough estimates to illustrate relative pricing. Your actual premiums depend on the carrier, your complete health profile, and your specific rating class.

The most important takeaway: the premium difference between a standard rating and a table rating can be 50% to 200%. That's why it's worth investing time in managing your condition and shopping multiple carriers.

Final Thoughts

Having diabetes doesn't mean you can't protect your family with life insurance. Millions of diabetics carry policies, and the insurance industry has become increasingly sophisticated at evaluating and pricing diabetic applicants fairly.

Your path to coverage depends on three things:

1. How well your diabetes is managed — particularly your A1C level and absence of complications.
2. Which insurer you apply with — underwriting guidelines vary dramatically between companies.
3. Who helps you navigate the process — an experienced independent agent can make all the difference.

Don't let a diabetes diagnosis stop you from getting the coverage your family needs. Reach out to our team for a confidential review of your health profile and a personalized quote from diabetic-friendly carriers.