Life Insurance for Diabetics With Complications
Over 100 Carriers to Quote From. Here are a few of them!
Life Insurance for Diabetics With Complications
Living with diabetes plus complications—like neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney disease, prior DKA, or cardiovascular issues—can make buying life insurance feel daunting. The good news: approvals are still possible. The outcome usually hinges on control and stability, the specific complications present, and choosing a carrier that underwrites diabetic risks fairly.
At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we shop 75+ carriers and place impaired-risk cases every week. If you want a fast overview of our approach to tough approvals, start with our high-risk life insurance options and then run an instant quote below.
Can You Get Life Insurance With Complicated Diabetes?
Yes—many applicants do. Underwriters look far beyond a diagnosis. They weigh A1C trends, medication adherence, specialist follow-ups, and the severity of any complications. Favorable files typically show steady A1C, routine care with endocrinology, and well-managed blood pressure and lipids.
- A1C trajectory: Stable or improving values over 12–24 months help.
- Complication details: Neuropathy severity, retinopathy stage, micro/macroalbuminuria, CKD stage, or prior cardiac events.
- Treatment plan: Consistent medications (e.g., metformin, GLP-1s, insulin), CGM use, documented lifestyle changes.
- Hospitalizations: Dates and outcomes for DKA, hypoglycemia events, or infections.
- Co-morbid factors: Hypertension, lipids, BMI, tobacco use, and sleep apnea compliance all influence pricing.
Best-Fit Policy Types for Diabetics With Complications
- Term life insurance: Most cost-effective for income protection (10–30 years). Underwriting can be tighter with advanced complications, but many carriers still consider.
- Whole life or GUL: Permanent protection with level premiums, useful for lifelong coverage, legacy goals, or final expenses.
- Simplified issue life: Limited health questions, no exam, faster decisions—helpful when labs aren’t ideal.
- Guaranteed issue life: No health questions at all; graded benefits for the first 2–3 years. A reliable backstop after declines.
If traditional underwriting isn’t a match today, we can bridge coverage using alternatives and revisit later. For ideas outside the usual routes, compare options on our life insurance alternatives page.
Life Insurance Quoter
How to Improve Your Approval Odds
- Provide trend data, not snapshots: Share A1C history, CGM time-in-range, and recent office notes to show consistency.
- List specialists and follow-ups: Endocrinology, ophthalmology, and nephrology documentation strengthens the file.
- Tackle co-morbid risks: Show blood pressure control, lipid management, and CPAP adherence when applicable.
- Right-size face amount: Start with what you need most, then ladder or improve coverage as health metrics stabilize.
- Target the right carriers: Some insurers are more flexible on neuropathy or retinopathy—our job is to find them.
What Affects Pricing the Most
Pricing reflects control and complexity. Well-managed type 2 with mild neuropathy might see moderate table ratings; a history of DKA, stage 3 CKD, or coronary disease could push toward higher tables or simplified/guaranteed issue. If budget is tight, we can structure a blend—core term coverage now, with the option to add permanent coverage later.
When Final Expense Makes More Sense
For applicants facing repeated declines, guaranteed issue final expense can quickly protect against funeral costs and small debts. It isn’t a substitute for full income replacement, but it’s often the fastest way to secure at least some protection while we continue pursuing better options. If caregiving support is also on your mind, read more about long-term care insurance planning to round out your safety net.
Get Personalized Diabetic Life Insurance Quotes
We’ll match your history to favorable carriers, compare pricing, and help you secure coverage that lasts.
How We Advocate for Complex Cases
We’re an independent, family-owned agency licensed in all 50 states. Our impaired-risk team builds strong submissions, clarifies medical context for underwriters, and pivots quickly if a carrier isn’t the right fit. If you already have coverage, we’ll review it for gaps and see whether improvements are possible without sacrificing guarantees.
Book a Free Coverage Review
Bring your latest A1C, medication list, and any specialist notes—we’ll benchmark carriers and map a practical path to approval.
FAQs: Life Insurance for Diabetics With Complications
Can I be approved if I use insulin and have neuropathy?
Often yes. Approval depends on overall control, stability, and severity of complications. We’ll target carriers that align with your profile.
Will a high A1C automatically disqualify me?
No. Underwriters consider trends, treatment adherence, and physician follow-ups—not just a single reading.
Do I have to take a medical exam?
Fully underwritten policies often require labs, but simplified or guaranteed issue policies can skip exams.
What if I was declined before?
We’ll review the decline reason, reposition your case, and consider simplified or guaranteed issue options to get protection in place.
How much coverage should I choose?
Start with essentials like income replacement and debts. We can layer coverage or revisit pricing as metrics improve.
Is guaranteed issue life a good idea?
It’s an effective safety net after declines. Expect graded benefits for the first few years and smaller face amounts.
Will premiums be much higher with complications?
Premiums reflect risk, but shopping the right carriers can help. We’ll compare multiple companies for favorable pricing.
Can I improve rates later on?
Yes. Better control and stable labs may support reconsideration or a new policy with improved pricing.
How quickly can coverage start?
Simplified and guaranteed issue can approve quickly. Fully underwritten policies take longer due to records and labs.
