Life Insurance for Diabetics
Millions of Americans with diabetes carry life insurance. With well-managed type 2 diabetes, many people qualify for standard rates on term or day-one final expense coverage. Type 1 diabetes and complications make it harder, but rarely impossible.
What insurers ask about
- Type 1 or type 2
- Type 2 is generally rated more favorably. Type 1 often starts at a table rating, depending on age at diagnosis and control.
- A1C
- The most important number. Many carriers' best offers go to A1C readings under about 7 to 7.5. Readings above 8 or 9 often lead to higher ratings or simplified issue products.
- Age at diagnosis
- Being diagnosed at 55 is viewed more favorably than at 25, because there are fewer years for complications to develop.
- Treatment
- Diet only, oral medications like metformin, non-insulin injectables, or insulin. Insulin isn't an automatic decline, but some final expense plans ask about it specifically.
- Complications
- Neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney disease, amputation, heart disease or diabetic coma. These have the biggest impact.
- Other factors
- Weight, blood pressure, cholesterol and tobacco use combine with diabetes in the overall rating.
Which policy is realistic?
| Your situation | Likely options |
|---|---|
| Type 2, A1C under 7.5, oral meds, no complications | Fully underwritten term or whole life, often Standard rates; level final expense |
| Type 2 on insulin, good control, no complications | Term with a table rating; level final expense with many carriers |
| Type 1, diagnosed as an adult, good control | Term or permanent with a table rating |
| Any type with one complication (e.g. mild neuropathy) | Higher table rating, or graded final expense |
| Multiple complications, kidney disease or amputation | Graded or guaranteed issue final expense |
Tips before applying
- Know your last two or three A1C results and dates
- List all medications and doses, including insulin units
- Get regular check-ups; carriers like to see consistent care
- If your A1C is trending down, a few more months of improvement may earn a better offer
- Ask about carriers that are known to be lenient on diabetes, since guidelines vary a lot
Final expense and diabetes
For people 50 to 85, many simplified issue final expense plans accept diabetes controlled by pills or insulin for full, day-one coverage, as long as there are no serious complications listed on the application. Some ask whether insulin was started before a certain age, or whether there's been diabetic coma or amputation. Different carriers draw these lines differently, which is why comparing makes a real difference.
Example
A 64-year-old man with type 2 diabetes on metformin and a once-daily insulin shot, A1C of 7.8, no complications and no tobacco, could often qualify for a level-benefit $15,000 final expense plan with no waiting period. A fully underwritten $250,000 term policy might come back at a table rating with some carriers and be declined by others.
Questions people ask
Will I have to do a blood test?
For larger, fully underwritten policies, possibly. For simplified issue and final expense, no. Those rely on health questions and prescription records.
Should I mention prediabetes?
Yes, if asked. Prediabetes is usually rated much more favorably than diabetes, and a prescription record for metformin will raise questions if it isn't explained.
Diabetes and still need coverage?
We'll match your A1C, medications and history with carriers that treat diabetes most fairly, so you get the best rate you qualify for.
This guide is general education, not tax, legal or financial advice. Product features, issue ages and prices vary by carrier and state and change over time.