How The Type Of Treatment Affects Diabetic’s Life Insurance Premium

Last Updated on December 11, 2024

Whenever a person has an adverse health condition, it is possible that they may either be required to pay more in premium for their life insurance policy – or be turned down for coverage altogether. This typically will depend on the specific condition that they have, its severity, and the treatment that the person is using for the affliction. It is known that your diabetes treatment affects life insurance premiums. Finding the best policy possible doesn’t have to be difficult.  It’s as easy as calling us at 888-629-3064 or filling out a quote request.

When it comes to diabetes, there are actually two main types of this condition, Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.  We do know that many people are diagnosed with gestational diabetes for a brief period of time, but most life insurance underwriters are not even phased by a history of gestational diabetes.  If you have a history of gestational diabetes, then you can most certainly qualify for Preferred or better life insurance ratings.

While Type 2 diabetes is not typically as severe as Type 1, both types of diabetes will require that the affected individual make lifestyle and dietary changes, take various medications (oral and / or injection), or both.  Life insurance underwriters are almost always going to ‘rate’ a Type 1 individual with higher premiums, compared to an individual with Type 2 diabetes.  Having a history of Diabetes will have an effect on the individual’s life insurance premium if he or she were applying for coverage.

When it comes to diabetes, there are actually two types of this condition, Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. While Type 2 diabetes is not typically as severe as Type 1, both types of diabetes will require that the affected individual make lifestyle and dietary changes, take various medications (oral and / or injection), or both. In doing so, this could have an effect on the individual’s life insurance premium if he or she were applying for coverage.

Why Diabetes Can Be Risky

Any time that an individual applies for life insurance coverage, the insurance underwriters will review the applicant and attempt to determine whether or not the individual will pose a risk of claim to the insurer. In doing so, the underwriters will review a variety of different factors – a primary one being the anticipated life expectancy of that individual.  The underwriting process will be either a non medical exam process, or fully underwritten.  Fully underwritten means you’ll need to complete a paramedical examination, and allow companies to review the last five years of medical records.

With Type 2 diabetes, a person’s body either does not produce enough insulin to maintain a “normal” level of blood glucose (or sugar) in the body, or the person’s body simply resists the effects of insulin altogether.  People with Type 2 diabetes typically receive better life insurance rates compared to the Type 1 diabetes community.

With Type 1 diabetes, a person will have either extremely high or extremely low blood sugar. This type of diabetes typically requires that the individual always takes insulin, either via injections, or through an insulin pump. Type 1 diabetes applicants will find that applying for life insurance can be tricky.  Many companies will not consider you for coverage.  Also, life insurance premiums will be higher as well.  While we feel that this is unfair, this is simply the reality of the situation. 

Available Treatments For Diabetics

Those who have diabetes will typically have three types of treatment that are available to them – although, not all three of these treatment types will work for all affected individuals. There are many tips and tricks out there to help you obtain optimal control of your Diabetes.  Your treatment regimen will have an impact on how rates for life insurance with diabetes are determined.

Diet & Exercise

One of the first forms of treatment that doctors may suggest is diet and exercise. Oftentimes, those who have Type 2 diabetes can help their condition by simply modifying their food intake and by adding an exercise regime into their daily routine. In many cases, after implementing these changes, individuals who have very mild cases of diabetes and / or those who are considered to be pre-diabetic can be cured.

Yet, even with success in taking measures with diet and exercise, if someone has been diagnosed with diabetes – regardless of how mild the condition may be – the individual will still likely be approved as a Standard life insurance policy holder (as versus a Preferred), unless they are otherwise in exceptionally good health.

Oral Medicine

Today, there are also several types of oral medication that can be prescribed for more mild cases of diabetes. In the past, most diabetics were required to take insulin shots. However, more recently, different medications for diabetes have been developed that can be taken orally for those who have very low A1C levels.

Many individuals who take these medications – and no additional medications – can oftentimes qualify for life insurance at a Standard policy rating. This means that they can pay the same premium rate as other “average” policyholders in their same class.

While taking oral medication is preferred, some life insurance companies may postpone you for coverage if taking more than one medication for your diabetes.  This is why we encourage people to contact us, share your health profile with us, and allow us to determine what companies may be the best option for your situation.  Don’t simply apply to a company, and hope for the best.

Insulin

The other treatment for diabetes is the taking of insulin. This is typically taken in injection form. Those individuals who have Type 2 diabetes can oftentimes still be able to obtain life insurance coverage at a Standard rate. However, individuals who have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes may often have more serious cases of this condition and, while some may qualify as Standard, others may be rated as Substandard.

If you’re a Type 2 individual taking insulin in combination with oral medication, some companies will NOT rate you higher.  Other life insurance carriers will view the insulin use as a negative, and they’ll charge higher rates.

The key factor in whether a person is rated as a Standard or Substandard is usually where the individual’s A1C level falls. This level typically indicates how well a person is controlling his or her diabetic condition. In many instances, those who have an A1C level that is under 7.5 may be able to obtain a Standard policy rating. Those who have a rating that is over that level, however, may only qualify for coverage as a Substandard.

Every life insurance company has their own set of underwriting guidelines.  We cannot stress this enough.  There is NO ONE company that is a best fit for everyone with Diabetes.  This is why it’s extremely important to contact us, or call us at 888-629-3064 and share with us your health profile.  Many people with Diabetes think they cannot qualify for life insurance or some are paying 50% or more on premiums.  There’s no excuse for this.

Where To Obtain Life Insurance Coverage If You Are Receiving Diabetic Treatment

If you are a diabetic, regardless of the type of treatment you are receiving for your condition, it is always best to shop around before you purchase life insurance coverage. This is because, just like anything else, the premium prices can vary a great deal from one insurance company to another. In addition, what many people don’t realize is that the underwriting requirements between insurers is not always the same. That means that the criteria that deems an applicant as uninsurable by one insurer may be perfectly acceptable at another. Therefore, it pays to do your homework.

WE created this website to be a resource to the Diabetes community.  Nobody else specializes in life insurance with diabetes like we do.  We’ve helped 100,000’s of people with diabetes find affordable life insurance coverage.

When you’re ready to compare life insurance coverage, we can help. We work with many of the best life insurance companies in the market place today – and we can obtain policy and premium quotes for you within seconds, directly from your home computer. You never have to meet in person with an insurance agent – although, if you have questions about the process, we do have experts on hand who are available to help you.

In order to start comparing policies and premiums, all you need to do is use the contact form on this page. For any additional questions that you may have, please feel free to contact us directly, toll-free, at 800-470-4122 We are here to help you find the coverage that you need, at a premium that fits your insurance budget.