Can you get life insurance with diabetes? In almost all cases, yes. However, life insurance companies vary drastically in how they underwrite diabetes. If you are diabetic, understanding what insurance companies look for makes it much easier to find the most competitive and affordable policy.
If you have a history of diabetes, there is a very good chance of being approved for life insurance at a reasonable rate. The information below provides an overview of diabetes, its impact on life insurance rates, and helpful tips to improve your chances of getting the best possible insurance rate.
Key Takeaways
- Having Type 2 diabetes does not exclude you from getting insured. A well-controlled type 2 diabetic with no significant complications can qualify for Standard rates, or possibly better.
- Your A1C level is the single most important number in your application. It reflects your average blood sugar over the prior three months, and most carriers set Standard eligibility around an A1C between 7.0 and 7.5.
- The underwriting review period for Type 2 diabetes applicants typically runs four to eight weeks. It can be faster for well-controlled applicants with clean, consistent records.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that disrupts the way our bodies use digested food for growth and energy.
To fully understand diabetes, it helps to first understand how food is broken down and how glucose is used in the body. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose, a form of sugar in the blood. This is an important process because glucose is the body’s main source of fuel.
After food is digested, glucose passes into the bloodstream, where it is used by our cells for growth and energy. Insulin must be present in our bodies for glucose to enter cells. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach.
When we eat and digest food, the pancreas automatically produces the right amount of insulin to move glucose from the blood into our cells. Those who have Type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin, while those with Type 2 diabetes are resistant to the insulin their body produces. Glucose will build up in the blood, overflow into the urine, and pass out of the body. Therefore, the body loses its primary fuel even though the blood contains large amounts of glucose.
Many of these questions will be carefully considered by life insurance underwriters. Have you experienced any or all of the following?
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Blurry vision
There are two forms of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune disease. It occurs when the body’s immune system, which fights infections, turns against a part of the body. The immune system attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, destroying them. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. A person who has Type 1 diabetes will have to take insulin daily to live.
- Type 2 diabetes: This form of diabetes is associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and ethnicity. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Unfortunately, this type of diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents.
Of the 40 million Americans with diabetes, over 90% have Type 2. Type 2 diabetes is viewed more favorably by underwriters than Type 1. The primary reason is that Type 2 is often managed through diet, oral medication, or a combination of both, and the average complication profile is less severe. Underwriters see it as a condition that can be meaningfully controlled, and they price it accordingly when the evidence supports that.
How Type 2 Diabetes Impacts Your Insurance Premiums
This is probably top of mind for you: How will insurers view your condition?
Your ability to get insured and the price of your policy will depend on risk factors that the insurance underwriters will review thoroughly. We’ll walk through that process next.
How Insurers View Type 2 Diabetes and Risk Factors
In order to assess the severity of your condition, insurance underwriters will review a variety of factors. Life insurance companies are especially interested in these risk factors and how they impact each individual case.
Can You Still Qualify for Coverage if You Have Type 2 Diabetes?
Yes. Having Type 2 diabetes by no means excludes you from getting insured. In fact, A well-controlled type 2 diabetic with no significant complications can qualify for Standard rates, or possibly better, at a handful of carriers, meaning they pay the same baseline rate as a non-diabetic applicant with an average health profile.
For example, a well-controlled diabetic can get a similar rate to someone taking blood pressure and cholesterol medication who is 25 pounds overweight.
The range of underwriting outcomes is real, though. A well-managed type 2 diabetic in their 50s who applies with a recent A1C below 7.5 and no complications will look very different to an underwriter than a 35-year-old with an A1C above 9.0, insulin dependence, and early nephropathy. Both have type 2 diabetes. Their rates will not be remotely similar. Knowing where you fall in that range, and which carriers are most favorable for your specific profile, is exactly where an experienced life insurance broker earns their value.
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Before applying for life insurance, it is wise to review your recent lab results to assess how well your diabetes is controlled. By taking the extra step to check these numbers, you can ensure the best results. You may even postpone applying for coverage for 3 months to attempt to improve your A1c.
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How Much More Will Coverage Cost?
Ultimately, this depends on your age, risk factors, and the severity of your condition.
We’ll cover the rate classes below, but for a quick answer, you can expect:
- Best case: You can get a Standard Plus rate with some carriers.
- Typical case: In most typical cases, you can expect a 50–100% premium increase.
- Worst case: You may be declined.
Diabetes is a disease that is mainly self-managed and monitored. In order to stay healthy, a person with diabetes must self-test on a daily basis using test strips, meters, and insulin or medication. People with diabetes are usually able to get their medications and supplies covered through their health insurance policies.
Please know that making lifestyle changes can significantly affect your chances of a favorable outcome when applying for an insurance policy. These changes include:
- Exercising regularly
- Eating the right foods
- Losing weight
- Lowering your cholesterol
Among others.
What To Expect When Getting Coverage With Type 2 Diabetes
Underwriters do not simply check whether you have diabetes and assign a rate.
They evaluate a specific set of factors that together tell them how well the condition is being managed and what the long-term risk looks like. For Type 2 diabetes life insurance applications, these factors carry the most weight.
- A1C level. This is the single most important number in your application. A1C reflects your average blood sugar over the prior three months and gives underwriters a clear picture of how controlled your diabetes is. Most carriers set Standard eligibility around an A1C between 7.0 and 7.5. An A1C above 9.0 will typically result in Table ratings (higher-than-standard premiums) or, in some cases, a decline.
- Age at diagnosis. A Type 2 diabetes diagnosis at age 50 or later is viewed more favorably than a diagnosis in your 30s or 40s. An earlier diagnosis means more years of potential complications, and underwriters factor that into the long-term risk assessment.
- Medication type. Diet-controlled Type 2 diabetes carries the fewest underwriting concerns. Applicants managing with oral medication, most commonly metformin, are generally eligible for Standard rates when other factors are favorable. Insulin dependence in a Type 2 applicant triggers more scrutiny. Some carriers are more lenient here than others; this is one of the more significant areas where carrier selection affects your outcome.
- Complications. The absence of diabetes-related complications is one of the strongest positive factors in your application. Neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular complications each increase your rate class significantly and can result in a decline if multiple are present. If you are early in managing Type 2 diabetes and have no complications, applying sooner rather than later works in your favor.
- BMI and overall health. Underwriters evaluate the full health picture. A Type 2 diabetic applicant who is also a current smoker, significantly overweight, or managing other chronic conditions will face compounding rate increases. These factors are evaluated together, not independently.
As you can see, there is some variance here. That is why it is important to work with a professional with years of experience navigating these factors to help you get the best policy at the best possible price.
The Questions Insurers Will Ask
You should expect insurers to ask the following questions when assessing the severity of your Type 2 diabetes:
- What was your age at diagnosis?
- Are you taking insulin, medications, or diet-control pills?
- How often do you consult a physician?
- Do you test for blood sugar? What are the results?
- Have you had any of the following disorders?
- Eye problems
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Poor circulation
The purpose of these questions is to help insurers better understand your condition, risk factors, and properly assign your rate class.
Is “No Exam” an Option?
Historically, an insurance exam has been required for all diabetics applying for life insurance. This still holds true in almost all cases. However, there are a few companies that may waive the insurance exam requirement if you have had a complete physical, including blood and urine work, within the last 6 to 12 months. The reason is that diabetics should have routine lab work to monitor blood sugar levels and A1C. Insurance companies want to review current lab results to gauge your level of control and evaluate related health markers such as kidney function, creatinine, and protein levels. Learn more about your options for a no-exam or accelerated underwriting process in our insurance underwriting guide.
How Long Will It Take to Get Coverage?
For most diabetics, the application process involves a few standard steps worth knowing before you begin.
Most carriers require a paramedical exam as part of underwriting. A licensed examiner comes to your home or office, records your height, weight, and blood pressure, and collects blood and urine samples. Those samples are tested for A1C along with a full metabolic panel. This allows carriers to verify the health information in your application and establish your current health markers.
In addition to the exam, underwriters typically order your medical records from your treating physicians. For a Type 2 diabetes applicant, this generally includes records from your primary care physician or endocrinologist covering your diagnosis history, A1C trends, medications, and any complications or specialist referrals. Having your records organized and providing complete information can help speed up the process.
The underwriting review period for Type 2 diabetes applicants typically takes three to four weeks, depending on how quickly medical records are received. It can be faster for well-controlled applicants with consistent medical records. Applications with gaps, inconsistencies, or complications requiring additional review often take longer. There is no benefit to rushing the process; presenting a complete and accurate picture of your health is what matters most.
Rate Classes for Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes
As we’ve shared above, your rate class ultimately depends on your age, risk factors, and the severity of your condition.
Life insurance carriers generally place applicants into health classes such as:
- Preferred Plus / Preferred: Out of reach for most diabetics.
- Standard or Standard Plus: A realistic goal for many with well-managed Type 2 diabetes.
- Table Ratings (A–H or 1–8): Additional risk-based pricing tiers. Most diabetics fall into a mild-to-moderate Table rating, which adds a percentage cost to your base premium.
Pulling from Principal’s underwriting guidelines, they break down the following scenarios. Note that, aside from the worst-case scenarios, applicants are generally approved for coverage at a higher premium, with rates typically increasing by approximately 25% for each numerical or alphabetical Table rating step.
| Severity | Rating Class / Underwriting Decision |
|---|---|
| Best case | Standard Plus Non Tobacco to Standard Non Tobacco |
| Typical case | Table 2–4 — a 50% to 100% increase in premiums above the standard rate |
| Uncontrolled Diabetic Worst case | Depending upon the severity, Table 4 or higher, with severely uncontrolled diabetics declined. |
- Cigarette Smokers and Vapers: The best-case scenario is Standard Smoker. In most cases, Standard Smoker Table 2 will be the ultimate rate.
What Are The Best Insurance Companies For People With Type 2 Diabetes?
As mentioned, diabetes is one of the most common medical impairments impacting Americans today. However, from a risk standpoint, not all life insurance companies view diabetes the same way. The following is a breakdown of how some of the top term life insurance companies underwrite diabetes, along with the details.
If Well-Controlled
Banner Life is the most aggressive insurance company for well-controlled diabetes. They routinely offer Standard Plus Non-Tobacco rates. This assumes onset after age 40, with an A1C under 7.0, reasonable height and weight, normal blood pressure, and no other significant health concerns.
Pacific Life can be a strong option if diagnosed after age 50, with an A1C under 7.0, and you are otherwise in excellent health. This includes very low cholesterol, normal blood pressure, and a healthy height-to-weight ratio. To qualify for Standard Plus Non-Tobacco rates, all other health factors must also be optimal.
Prudential will also consider Standard Plus Non-Tobacco rates for applicants with good diabetes control. However, in most cases, their rates are less competitive than those offered by Banner Life or Pacific Life, making Prudential a less common first choice even for very well-controlled diabetes.
Most other providers, such as Protective Life and Cincinnati Life, generally offer Standard Non-Tobacco rates as their best-case scenario for well-controlled diabetes. Since these rates are typically higher, these companies are less commonly selected in these situations.
| Age | Banner Life | Pacific Life | Prudential | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | Male | Female | Male | Female | |
| Age 50 | $814.76 | $644.88 | $814.85 | $644.91 | $930.00 | $790.00 |
| Age 60 | $1,984.76 | $1,344.76 | $1,984.75 | $1,344.85 | $2,230.00 | $1,520.00 |
| Age 70 | $6,085.35 | $3,489.99 | $6,085.46 | $3,484.81 | $7,015.00 | $4,550.00 |
There are only a handful of life insurance companies that are truly underwriting diabetes aggressively. If you’re not applying with one of the companies. You are assured to overpay. Doing your due diligence will save you time and money.
If your blood sugar levels are reasonably controlled, but not optimal, these same companies are generally your best options. Banner Life, Pacific Life, Principal, and in some cases Prudential, are the go-to carriers. Reasonable control is typically defined as an A1C between 7.0 and 8.0, with normal kidney function and stable results over the past couple of years. In these situations, Standard Non-Tobacco is the best-case scenario. With many providers, however, you can expect a Table 2 rating, or approximately a 50% increase above Standard rates.
Higher rates generally apply if your A1C exceeds 8.0 or if you have diabetes-related complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, or impaired kidney function.
Case Study
How We Saved Someone Nearly $3,000/Year on a $2,000,000 Policy
The following is an actual case. The details are as follows:
- Male
- Age 55
- Applied for $2,000,000 15-year level term
- Height 6’2″
- Weight 230
- Type 2 diabetic diagnosed at age 50
- Takes Metformin and Insulin as well as blood pressure and cholesterol medications
- A1C was 6.8 on the last exam and has been stable at 7.0 or less for the last year
- Kidney function is normal
- No cardiovascular history
We applied with Banner Life, and the case was approved at the Standard Plus Non-Tobacco health class. The annual rate was $5,924.40.
IF….
We use the same criteria above, but change the A1C to 7.1, the offer from Banner Life would have been Standard Plus Non-Tobacco Table 2. The annual rate in this case would have been $8,841.60.
As you can see, the specifics of each case are vital to determining the best life insurance company if you have diabetes. A careful review of your latest lab work before applying for coverage will go a long way to create realistic expectations. Working with an insurance professional who understands the underwriting nuances of diabetes will assure you get the best result.
Trying to Find a Life Insurance Policy With Type 2 Diabetes? Get an Instant Quote
A Type 2 diabetes diagnosis may seem like it can complicate the insurance process, but this condition is extremely common and does not mean you cannot get the right insurance policy at the best price possible.
You can take the first step today by requesting a free quote. Click the button below and answer a few questions to get an insurance quote in seconds to start your policy journey.
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