Can I Get Life Insurance If I Have Diabetes?
A diabetes diagnosis may change the life insurance application process—but it does not automatically prevent you from qualifying for coverage.
Many people with Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes histories can obtain life insurance. Your eligibility, premium and available policy options will depend on factors such as how your diabetes is managed, your overall health and the underwriting requirements of the insurance company.
Why does diabetes affect life insurance?
Life insurance companies evaluate the likelihood of an applicant developing serious health complications that could shorten their life expectancy.
Diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, vision problems and other health conditions—especially when blood sugar remains uncontrolled over time. However, regular medical care, medication adherence, blood-sugar monitoring and healthy lifestyle choices may help reduce the risk of complications. SingleCare’s medically reviewed diabetes guide explains that diabetes management plays an important role in preventing or delaying many complications.
Life insurance companies therefore consider more than the diagnosis itself. They look at the applicant’s overall health and how the condition is being managed.
What information may the insurance company request?
Depending on the policy and insurer, an applicant may be asked about:
- The type of diabetes
- Age and date of diagnosis
- Recent A1C readings
- Medications or insulin use
- Blood-sugar monitoring
- Frequency of medical appointments
- Blood pressure and cholesterol
- Height and weight
- Tobacco or nicotine use
- Related hospitalizations
- Kidney, heart, eye, nerve or circulation complications
- Other medical conditions
Some applications may require medical records, laboratory results or a medical examination. Others may use simplified underwriting with fewer health questions.
Does the type of diabetes matter?
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes generally requires lifelong insulin treatment. Because it often begins earlier in life and can carry long-term health risks, applications may receive additional underwriting review.
That does not mean coverage is unavailable. The insurer may look closely at blood-sugar control, treatment consistency and whether complications are present.
Type 2 diabetes
Applicants with well-managed Type 2 diabetes may have several coverage options, particularly when the condition is controlled and there are no significant complications.
Rates can be affected by insulin use, A1C history, age at diagnosis, tobacco use, weight and other cardiovascular risk factors.
Gestational diabetes
A history of gestational diabetes may also appear on a life insurance application. The insurer may want to know whether blood-sugar levels returned to normal after pregnancy or whether the applicant later developed Type 2 diabetes.
Will life insurance cost more?
Possibly—but not always by the same amount.
Life insurance pricing is based on the complete underwriting picture, including:
- Age
- Coverage amount
- Policy type
- Diabetes management
- Overall health
- Family medical history
- Tobacco use
- Driving history
- Other lifestyle factors
One insurance company may evaluate an applicant differently from another. That is why receiving an offer with a higher premium—or even being declined by one company—does not necessarily mean every insurer will reach the same decision.
What types of life insurance may be available?
Fully underwritten life insurance
Fully underwritten policies generally require detailed health information and may include medical records, bloodwork or an examination.
The process can take longer, but applicants who qualify may receive more coverage choices and potentially better pricing than they would with limited-underwriting products.
Simplified-issue life insurance
Simplified-issue policies usually require answers to health questions but may not require a traditional medical examination.
These policies can be convenient, although premiums may be higher and coverage amounts may be lower than with fully underwritten coverage.
Guaranteed-issue life insurance
Guaranteed-issue coverage generally does not require medical questions or an examination. It is often designed for older adults or people with significant health conditions who have difficulty qualifying elsewhere.
These policies commonly have lower coverage limits, higher costs per dollar of coverage and a graded benefit period during the policy’s early years.
Guaranteed issue may be an option, but it should not automatically be the first option explored.
Be complete and honest on the application
Never leave diabetes or related treatment off an application because you are worried about the outcome.
The insurer may review prescription histories, medical records and other authorized information. Missing or inaccurate information could delay underwriting, change an offer or create problems when a beneficiary files a claim.
Providing complete information allows the insurance company to evaluate the application accurately.
How can you prepare before applying?
Having the following information available may make the process easier:
- Your most recent A1C result
- Current medication list
- Contact information for your physicians
- Date of diagnosis
- Dates of recent medical appointments
- Details about any diabetes-related complications
- Current height and weight
- Information about other health conditions
Continue following your healthcare provider’s recommendations. Do not change medication or treatment solely to influence an insurance application.
Should you wait until your health improves?
Waiting may occasionally make sense when a healthcare professional is actively adjusting treatment or recent test results are unusually high. However, waiting also means becoming older, and age is another major factor in life insurance pricing.
There is no universal answer. An independent agent can help determine whether applying now or waiting for updated medical information may be more appropriate.
The bottom line
Diabetes does not automatically place life insurance out of reach.
Your options may depend on the type of diabetes, how long you have had it, how it is managed and whether complications are present. Even if you believe you will not qualify, it may be worth exploring your options before making that assumption.
At Kannonball Insurance Solutions, we can help compare available options and identify companies whose underwriting guidelines may better fit your health history. Exploring your options is free, and there is no obligation to purchase a policy.
Policy availability, approval, premiums and benefits depend on individual underwriting and state availability. This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical, legal or tax advice.
Health information source: SingleCare’s medically reviewed article, “Your Guide to Diabetes Complications—and How to Avoid Them.”