If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, you may wonder whether life insurance is still possible — especially if you've heard stories about people being declined or paying extremely high premiums.
The good news is this: many people with diabetes can still qualify for life insurance coverage today. Underwriting for diabetes has improved significantly over the last several years as insurance companies have become more familiar with modern treatment options, better medications, and improved long-term diabetic management.
Understanding diabetes and life insurance
Life insurance companies look at diabetes as a medical risk factor — not necessarily an automatic decline. When someone applies for coverage, the insurer wants to understand:
- What type of diabetes they have
- How well the condition is controlled
- What medications are being used
- Whether there are additional complications
- Overall health stability
Type 1 vs. Type 2 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 is generally viewed as higher risk because it often begins earlier in life and usually requires insulin management from diagnosis onward. People with Type 1 can still qualify for life insurance, but underwriting may be stricter and premiums may be higher depending on:
- Age at diagnosis
- A1C levels
- History of complications
- Overall stability
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 is far more common and often easier to underwrite — especially when it is well-controlled through medication, diet, exercise, weight management, and regular doctor visits. Many insurers today actively cover applicants with Type 2 diabetes, and some carriers have developed specialized programs specifically for diabetic applicants.
What insurance companies look at
1. A1C levels
A1C reflects average blood sugar over the previous few months and helps insurers determine how well diabetes is being managed. Lower, stable A1C readings are viewed more favorably; extremely high or unstable readings may increase premiums or reduce options.
2. Medication use
Insurers review what medications you take, how long you've been taking them, and whether treatment appears stable. Metformin alone, for example, may be viewed differently than multiple medications combined with insulin.
3. Age at diagnosis
Someone diagnosed later in life with controlled Type 2 diabetes may often receive more favorable consideration than someone diagnosed very young with long-term complications.
4. Overall health
Insurers also evaluate other factors, including:
- Blood pressure
- Weight
- Cholesterol
- Tobacco use
- Heart health
- Kidney function
If diabetes has led to complications such as neuropathy, kidney disease, vision issues, or heart disease, the underwriting process may become more difficult.
Can you get term life insurance with diabetes?
Yes — many diabetics still qualify for term life insurance. Term policies provide coverage for a set period of time, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. Applicants with controlled Type 2 diabetes may still qualify for:
- Traditional fully underwritten term policies
- Simplified issue policies
- No-exam term options in some cases
Can you get whole life insurance with diabetes?
Whole life insurance is often one of the most accessible options for diabetics — particularly seniors. Whole life policies:
- Never expire as long as premiums are paid
- Build cash value
- Have fixed premiums
- Are commonly used for final expense planning
Depending on the situation, applicants may qualify for immediate, modified, or guaranteed issue coverage.
What if you've been declined before?
Being declined once does not necessarily mean you cannot get coverage elsewhere. Different insurance companies have very different underwriting guidelines. One company may decline an applicant while another may offer standard rates, rated coverage, simplified issue approval, or final expense options.
Guaranteed issue life insurance
For applicants with more serious complications, guaranteed issue life insurance may still provide an option. These policies typically ask no health questions, cannot decline applicants for medical conditions, usually have smaller coverage amounts, and often include a waiting period.
How to improve your chances of approval
- Stay consistent with medical care — regular doctor visits demonstrate responsible management.
- Take medications as prescribed — stable medication histories help.
- Improve A1C levels — even modest improvements may help underwriting.
- Avoid tobacco use — smoking + diabetes significantly raises premiums.
- Work with an independent agent — carriers specialize in different conditions.
- Document your progress — bring recent labs; proof of stability matters.
Common misconceptions
"I'm automatically declined." Not true. Many diabetics qualify today.
"It will be too expensive." Premiums may be higher, but affordable options often exist.
"I have to take a medical exam." Not always — many simplified issue and final expense policies require no exam.
"I'm too old." Many seniors obtain coverage well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond.
Final thoughts
If you have diabetes, there is a strong possibility that life insurance options still exist for you. Modern underwriting has evolved significantly, especially for applicants with controlled Type 2 diabetes. Even applicants who have been declined before may still qualify elsewhere — whether you're looking for term, whole life, final expense, or simplified issue protection.