Can Diabetics Get Life Insurance?
Yes — and the majority of applicants with diabetes are approved. Type 2 diabetes is one of the most frequently seen chronic conditions on life insurance applications across major U.S. carriers, and underwriters have well-developed frameworks for evaluating it. Being diagnosed with diabetes is not a disqualifier; it is a risk factor that gets weighed alongside your A1c, medications, complications, and overall health profile.
Type 1 diabetes is a more complex underwriting picture, but it is also not uninsurable. Applicants with Type 1 who maintain a good A1c, have no serious complications, and can demonstrate consistent medical management do get approved — often at Standard rates, and occasionally at better classifications depending on the carrier.
The critical variable in almost every diabetic application is glycemic control. Underwriters are not simply asking "do you have diabetes?" They are asking "how well is your diabetes managed, and is it causing downstream damage?" Those are very different questions, and your answers — documented in your medical records — determine whether you get Standard rates, Table Rated premiums, or a decline.
Type 1 vs. Type 2: Very Different Underwriting Outcomes
Insurers do not treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes identically. The underlying mechanism, typical age of onset, and complication profile differ, and underwriting reflects that.
Type 2 diabetes (the more common scenario)
Type 2 diabetes accounts for roughly 90–95% of all diabetes diagnoses in the United States. Underwriters see it constantly and have calibrated guidelines for it. A well-controlled Type 2 applicant — A1c under 7.5, on oral medications such as metformin, no neuropathy, no retinopathy, no kidney involvement — can qualify for Standard rates at most major carriers. Some will reach Standard Plus with a particularly clean profile and an A1c under 7.0. Type 2 applicants with complications will face Table Ratings or, in severe cases, a decline.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 applicants are underwritten more conservatively at most carriers. The autoimmune nature of the condition, the longer typical duration of disease, and the insulin dependence all factor in. That said, a Type 1 applicant with a well-controlled A1c and no complications will generally receive a Standard classification at most carriers. Some insurers place Type 1 applicants at Substandard (Table Rated) regardless of control, so carrier selection matters significantly. Working with a broker who knows which carriers are most favorable for Type 1 is especially important.
What Underwriters Look At
Every diabetic application is evaluated across the same core variables. Understanding them helps you apply at the right time and from the strongest possible position.
- A1c level — the single most important number. The A1c reflects average blood glucose over the prior two to three months. Most carriers require an A1c below 8.0 for any approval; Standard rates typically require below 7.5; Standard Plus or better requires below 7.0. According to the American Diabetes Association, an A1c below 7.0% is the general clinical target for most adults with diabetes.
- Duration of diagnosis — a longer history with well-controlled A1c readings is favorable. A newly diagnosed applicant with an elevated A1c creates more uncertainty than someone with 10 years of stable readings.
- Current medications — oral-only regimens (metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 agonists) are viewed more favorably than insulin. Insulin-dependent Type 2 is not automatically a problem, but it signals more advanced disease and is underwritten more carefully.
- BMI and blood pressure — commonly elevated in Type 2 applicants and evaluated alongside the diabetes.
- Kidney function (creatinine, GFR) — diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication that can significantly increase table ratings or result in a decline.
- Diabetic complications — neuropathy (nerve damage), retinopathy (eye damage), peripheral vascular disease, or a history of diabetic ketoacidosis are all significant adverse factors. Applicants with multiple complications face the highest table ratings and the greatest risk of decline.
Rate Impact: $500K 20-Year Term for a 45-Year-Old Male with Type 2 Diabetes
The table below illustrates estimated monthly premium ranges for $500,000 of 20-year term coverage for a 45-year-old male at different levels of Type 2 diabetes control. These are realistic planning ranges benchmarked against 2026 market conditions — actual quotes will vary by carrier, state, and the full underwriting picture.
| Control Level | A1c / Profile | Likely Rate Class | Est. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-diabetic (reference) | N/A — Standard health | Standard | $90 – $120/mo |
| Well-controlled Type 2 | A1c 6.5, metformin, no complications | Standard | $100 – $145/mo |
| Moderately controlled Type 2 | A1c 7.5, oral meds, no major complications | Table 2–3 | $155 – $220/mo |
| Poorly controlled Type 2 | A1c 9.0+, any combination of oral meds / insulin | Table 4–6 or Decline | $260 – $380/mo (if approved) |
| Type 2 with complications | Any A1c, plus neuropathy / retinopathy / CKD | Table 6+ or Decline | $380+/mo or decline |
A1c is the single most important number in a diabetic life insurance application. An A1c of 6.8 and a 45-year-old with 5 years of Type 2 history on metformin will often get Standard rates. An A1c of 9.5 with the same profile will likely face Table 4 or higher — or a decline.
Which Carriers Are Most Favorable for Diabetics
Not all life insurers price diabetic risk the same way. Some carriers have developed actuarial models and underwriting guidelines that allow them to offer more competitive rates for well-controlled diabetic applicants, while others remain conservative across the board.
Carriers historically recognized as more favorable for diabetics — particularly well-controlled Type 2 — include:
- Protective Life — consistently competitive for standard diabetic profiles with clean A1c history
- Banner Life — known for favorable underwriting on Type 2 with oral medications and controlled A1c
- Pacific Life — strong track record for diabetic applicants who have stable readings and no complications
- Principal Financial — frequently cited as favorable for applicants with well-managed Type 2 and good metabolic profiles
These carriers are starting points, not guarantees. The most favorable carrier for your specific profile depends on your type of diabetes, A1c history, medication regimen, age, BMI, and any comorbidities. Rate differences between carriers for the same diabetic applicant can exceed 30–40% — which makes working with an independent broker who specializes in impaired-risk underwriting one of the highest-value steps you can take. That broker will know which carrier's current underwriting guidelines best fit your specific numbers.
See Your Coverage Options
Our free calculator helps you understand costs and coverage amounts — a useful starting point before you work with a broker on your full application.
Run the Calculator →Steps to Improve Your Rate Before Applying
Because A1c is weighted so heavily, a meaningful window exists to improve your underwriting outcome before you apply. Underwriters review the A1c at the time of your medical exam, and the test reflects roughly the prior 90 days of blood glucose control. That means three to six months of improved management can directly translate into a better rate class.
- Get your A1c under control before applying. If your current A1c is above 7.5, work with your physician on tighter management for three to six months before you submit an application. A drop from 8.2 to 7.1 can be the difference between a Table 3 rating and a Standard classification.
- Document physician compliance. Underwriters look for regular medical supervision. Consistent annual or semi-annual visits with your endocrinologist or primary care physician, with labs in your chart, signal that your condition is being actively managed.
- Document medication compliance. A documented history of taking prescribed medications as directed — without gaps — supports the narrative that your diabetes is under control.
- Address comorbidities. If your blood pressure or BMI is elevated alongside your diabetes, bringing those metrics into a healthier range before applying can lift your overall underwriting classification.
- Work with a broker who knows impaired-risk underwriting. This is not an application type where a single online quote is sufficient. A broker who regularly places diabetic cases will know which carrier's current guidelines are the most favorable match for your specific profile — and can often pre-screen your case with underwriters before a formal application is submitted.
What About Insulin-Dependent Type 2 Diabetes?
Insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes is more complex to underwrite than Type 2 managed with oral medications alone. The use of insulin in a Type 2 context typically signals more advanced disease progression, which underwriters treat with additional caution. However, insulin dependence is not a barrier to coverage at many carriers.
The same core criteria apply: if your A1c is controlled — most carriers want to see it below 8.0 for any approval — and you have no major diabetic complications (no nephropathy, no significant retinopathy, no peripheral vascular disease), many insurers will approve an insulin-dependent Type 2 applicant. The rate class will often be Table 2 or higher rather than Standard, but affordable coverage remains accessible in most cases.
Type 1 applicants, who are by definition insulin-dependent from diagnosis, face a similar evaluation framework: A1c, duration of diagnosis, complications, and overall metabolic stability are the drivers. Carrier selection is especially important for Type 1 and insulin-using Type 2 applicants, as underwriting guidelines vary more widely across insurers for these profiles.