Getting Approved for Life Insurance with Diabetes

Reading time: ~14 minutes | Updated: July 2026

Getting life insurance with diabetes is absolutely possible, and more common than most people realize. According to the CDC, over 38 million Americans are living with diabetes, and plenty of them carry substantial life insurance. The key factors that determine your approval and rate are your A1C level, the type of diabetes you have, and how well it’s managed. This guide walks through exactly what underwriters look at, what it actually costs, and how to put your best application forward.

How Underwriters Evaluate Diabetes

Every carrier looks at the same handful of factors when they rate a diabetic applicant:

• A1C level — your single biggest factor. This is the three-month average of your blood sugar and it drives the rate class more than anything else.
• Type and duration — Type 1 vs. Type 2, and how long you’ve had it.
• Complications — neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, or cardiovascular disease significantly affect approval.
• BMI and blood pressure — secondary health factors that compound diabetic risk.
• Consistency of medical care — regular endocrinologist visits and lab work signal good disease management.

What Rates Can Diabetics Expect?

Rates vary widely depending on control and complications. Here’s a general framework:

• Well-controlled Type 2, A1C under 7.0, no complications — Standard or Table 1-2 rates. Very competitive premiums.
• Type 2, A1C 7.0-8.5, minor complications — Table 2-4 ratings. Higher but still affordable.
• Type 1 or Type 2, A1C above 8.5, significant complications — Table 4-8 or possible decline from preferred carriers. Simplified issue may be the better path.
• Poorly controlled diabetes with major complications — Traditional coverage unlikely. Guaranteed issue policies available with limited face amounts.

In dollar terms: well-controlled Type 2 diabetics sometimes pay only 10-30% more than someone without diabetes. Type 1 diabetics or those with complications may pay 50-100% more. That’s a wide range, which is exactly why shopping multiple carriers matters — different carriers rate diabetes very differently, and the right fit makes a real difference in your premium.

Type 1 vs. Type 2: Key Differences for Underwriting

Type 2 diabetes is generally viewed more favorably by underwriters — it typically develops later in life and is more often managed without insulin. Type 1, particularly with insulin dependence and a longer duration, typically results in higher premiums, but coverage is still available from many carriers. Age at diagnosis matters too: a Type 1 diagnosis in childhood with decades of well-managed control tells a very different underwriting story than a recent diagnosis with an unstable A1C.

The 3 Types of Life Insurance for Diabetics, Explained Simply

1. Term Life Insurance (The Most Popular Choice)

Think of this like renting an apartment. You pay a set amount every month for a set number of years (10, 20, or 30). If you pass away during that time, your family gets a lump sum. If the term ends and you’re still alive, the coverage stops. Best for: most diabetics with reasonably controlled A1C — this is where the majority of people start.

2. Whole Life Insurance (Coverage That Lasts Forever)

This is like buying a house — you pay premiums forever, but you own the coverage permanently. It also builds cash value over time, like equity. More expensive, but it never expires. Best for: older diabetics looking for permanent protection, or those wanting a financial asset to borrow against.

3. Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance (No Questions Asked)

This is the no-matter-what option. No medical exam, no health questions. Available to nearly everyone, though face amounts are typically capped at $10,000-$25,000 and premiums run higher. It’s a safety net, not a first choice — most diabetics qualify for something better.

How to Get the Best Possible Rate as a Diabetic

• Get your A1C as low as possible before applying. Even a small improvement, say from 8.0 to 7.5, can mean a significantly lower table rating and hundreds of dollars a year in savings.
• Document your care. Regular endocrinologist visits and consistent lab work show underwriters you’re actively managing the condition.
• Shop with an independent agent. An independent agent can submit your profile to dozens of insurers at once and find the carrier that views your specific health profile most favorably — this is the single biggest tip on this list.
• Don’t smoke. Diabetes plus smoking is one of the most expensive combinations in life insurance underwriting. Quitting, and documenting it, can dramatically lower your premium.
• Share your CGM data. If you use a continuous glucose monitor, some carriers (like John Hancock’s Aspire program) will use that real-time data to offer discounts of up to 25%.
• Be honest on your application. Non-disclosure is never worth it. Insurers cross-check medical records, prescriptions, and the MIB database, and misrepresenting your health can void your policy when your family needs it most.

What If You Can’t Qualify for Traditional Coverage?

If your diabetes is poorly controlled or you have significant complications, a traditional fully-underwritten policy may decline you. You still have options:

• Simplified issue life insurance — no medical exam, just a short health questionnaire. Many diabetics qualify, often at reasonable rates.
• Guaranteed issue life insurance — no health questions at all, though face amounts are typically capped at $10,000-$25,000.
• Group life insurance — through an employer or association, usually with no individual underwriting, so diabetics qualify on the same terms as everyone else.

And if you’ve already been declined once: a denial from one company is not a life sentence. Every insurer uses different underwriting guidelines, and it’s common for someone to get denied by one carrier and approved by another within the same week.

Diabetic and need life insurance? Tom Hinerman works with diabetic clients across all 50 states and knows which carriers offer the best rates for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics. He’ll shop your case to find the best fit for your specific health profile. Get a free quote →

Frequently Asked Questions: Life Insurance with Diabetes

Can you get life insurance if you have diabetes?

Yes. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics can qualify for life insurance. Approval and rates depend on how well your diabetes is controlled, your A1C level, age at diagnosis, whether complications are present, and which medications you take. Well-controlled diabetes with a low A1C can often qualify for standard or even preferred rates.

Does Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes affect life insurance rates differently?

Yes. Type 2 diabetes is generally viewed more favorably by underwriters because it typically develops later in life and is more often managed without insulin. Type 1, particularly with insulin dependence and longer duration, typically results in higher premiums, but coverage is still available from many carriers.

What A1C level do I need to get life insurance?

Most carriers look for an A1C below 7.0-7.5 for the best rates. Levels between 7.5 and 9.0 may still qualify, just at higher table ratings. Above 9.0-10.0 will likely mean traditional carriers decline, though simplified or guaranteed-issue options remain available.

How much more does life insurance cost with diabetes?

It varies widely based on your A1C, type of diabetes, age, and complications. Well-controlled Type 2 diabetics sometimes pay only 10-30% more than someone without diabetes. Type 1 diabetics or those with complications may pay 50-100% more. That range is exactly why shopping multiple carriers matters.

Will my life insurance pay out if I die from diabetes complications?

Yes, as long as you disclosed your diabetes honestly when you applied. Standard life insurance policies cover death from any cause, including diabetes-related complications like heart disease, kidney failure, or stroke. That’s exactly why you have the policy.

What options exist for diabetics who can’t qualify for traditional coverage?

Simplified issue (no exam, short health questionnaire) and guaranteed issue (no health questions, limited face amount) policies are both available. Contact Tom to find out which option fits your situation.

What if I was already denied life insurance because of diabetes?

A denial from one company is not a life sentence. Every insurer uses different underwriting guidelines, and many people with diabetes get denied by one carrier and approved by another within the same week. An independent agent who specializes in high-risk life insurance is your best next step, not giving up.

See also: term life insurance for diabetics over 50, life insurance with other health conditions, or life insurance basics.