Life Insurance for People With Diabetes
Yes, you can often get life insurance if you have diabetes. Diabetes does not automatically mean you will be refused cover.
Many people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are able to get life insurance, especially where the condition is well controlled, regularly monitored and not linked to serious complications.
However, diabetes can affect how an insurer assesses your application. The insurer may ask about your type of diabetes, when you were diagnosed, your HbA1c readings, medication, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status, BMI and whether you have any diabetes-related complications. Some people are accepted with a higher premium. Some may need extra medical evidence. Some may be postponed if the condition is very recent or unstable.
A smaller number may be declined if there are serious complications or other major health issues.
The key point is this:
Diabetes does not mean “no life insurance”. It means the detail of your condition matters.
👉 [Check life insurance options with diabetes — no obligation]
Why does diabetes affect life insurance?
Insurers assess long-term health risk. Diabetes can increase the risk of complications involving the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, nerves and circulation. From a life insurance point of view, the insurer is not only looking at the word “diabetes”. They are looking at how well it is managed and whether it has caused other health problems.
For example, an insurer may view someone with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes, no complications, normal blood pressure and no smoking history very differently from someone with long-standing diabetes, kidney issues, heart disease and high blood pressure.
The diagnosis matters.
But the full health picture matters more.
Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes
Insurers will usually want to know whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed earlier in life and usually requires insulin treatment.
Because it can be lifelong and insulin-dependent, insurers may assess it carefully.
They may look at:
- Age at diagnosis
- How long you have had diabetes
- Insulin use
- HbA1c levels
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Kidney function
- Eye screening results
- Nerve or circulation issues
- Hospital admissions
- Severe hypos
- Smoking status
- Other medical conditions
Type 1 diabetes does not automatically mean refusal. Many people with well-managed Type 1 diabetes can still get life insurance. However, premiums may be higher than for someone without diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed later in life, although it can also affect younger adults.
It may be managed with:
- Diet and lifestyle changes
- Tablets
- Injectable medication
- Insulin
- A combination of treatments
Type 2 diabetes can produce a wide range of underwriting outcomes. Someone with recently diagnosed Type 2 diabetes, good control, no complications and healthy lifestyle factors may have more options than someone with long-standing, poorly controlled diabetes and related health problems.
Again, control and complications usually matter more than the label alone.
What will insurers ask about diabetes?
If you apply for life insurance with diabetes, the insurer may ask questions such as:
- Do you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes?
- When were you diagnosed?
- What was your most recent HbA1c reading?
- Has your HbA1c been stable?
- What medication do you take?
- Do you use insulin?
- Have you had any hospital admissions?
- Have you had severe hypos?
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Do you have high cholesterol?
- Do you smoke or vape?
- What is your height and weight?
- Have you had eye problems?
- Have you had kidney problems?
- Have you had nerve damage?
- Have you had circulation problems?
- Have you had foot ulcers or amputations?
- Have you had heart disease, angina, heart attack or stroke?
- Are you waiting for tests or specialist reviews?
These questions are normal.
They help the insurer decide whether to offer cover and at what price.
What is HbA1c and why does it matter?
HbA1c is a blood test that gives an indication of average blood glucose levels over recent months. Insurers may ask about your latest HbA1c because it helps them understand how well diabetes is being controlled. A stable HbA1c, regular monitoring and no complications may support an application. A very high or unstable HbA1c may lead to more questions, medical evidence, postponement or higher premiums.
You do not need to know every medical detail perfectly. But having your latest HbA1c result available can make the application smoother.
Does medication affect life insurance?
Medication does not automatically count against you. In many cases, medication shows that the condition is being treated and monitored. Insurers may ask whether your diabetes is managed with:
- Diet and lifestyle only
- Tablets such as metformin
- Other diabetes medication
- Injectable medication
- Insulin
- A combination of treatments
Insulin use may lead to more detailed underwriting, but it does not automatically mean refusal. The insurer will usually consider medication alongside control, complications, age, lifestyle and wider health.
Diabetes and complications
Complications are one of the biggest factors in diabetes underwriting.
The insurer may ask whether diabetes has affected your:
- Eyes
- Kidneys
- Nerves
- Feet
- Circulation
- Heart
- Blood vessels
Examples of complications may include:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Kidney disease
- Protein in urine
- Neuropathy
- Foot ulcers
- Poor circulation
- Amputation
- Heart disease
- Angina
- Heart attack
- Stroke
A person with diabetes and no complications may be assessed very differently from someone with several complications. This is why accurate disclosure matters.
Diabetes and blood pressure
Blood pressure is important for people with diabetes. If you have diabetes and high blood pressure, the insurer may look more carefully at the combined risk.
They may ask about:
- Recent blood pressure readings
- Medication
- Whether blood pressure is controlled
- Cholesterol levels
- Smoking
- BMI
- Kidney function
- Heart history
Controlled high blood pressure does not automatically prevent cover. But diabetes plus high blood pressure may increase the premium or lead to more underwriting.
Diabetes and cholesterol
Insurers may also ask about cholesterol. High cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure can all contribute to cardiovascular risk.
The insurer may ask:
- Whether cholesterol is raised
- Whether you take statins
- Latest cholesterol results
- Whether there is heart disease
- Whether you smoke
- Whether there is a family history of heart problems
Again, the point is not one single reading. It is the overall risk picture.
Diabetes and smoking
Smoking can make life insurance more expensive for anyone. If you have diabetes and smoke, insurers may be more cautious because smoking can increase wider health risk.
They may consider:
- How much you smoke
- Whether you vape or use nicotine
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- BMI
- Diabetes control
- Circulation
- Heart history
- Kidney health
This does not mean cover is impossible.
But it does mean comparing insurers carefully becomes more important.
Can you get life insurance with Type 1 diabetes?
Yes, it may be possible. People with Type 1 diabetes can often get life insurance, especially where the condition is stable and well managed. The insurer may ask for more medical information because Type 1 diabetes is usually long-term and insulin-dependent.
They may want to know:
- Age at diagnosis
- Current age
- HbA1c readings
- Insulin treatment
- Complications
- Hospital admissions
- Severe hypoglycaemia
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Smoking status
- Kidney and eye checks
Some applicants may pay a higher premium. Some may need a GP report. A small number may be declined if there are serious complications or unstable health.
Can you get life insurance with Type 2 diabetes?
Yes, many people with Type 2 diabetes can get life insurance. Type 2 diabetes can range from mild and well controlled to more complex and insulin-treated.
Insurers may look at:
- Age at diagnosis
- HbA1c level
- Whether it is diet-controlled
- Whether tablets are used
- Whether insulin is used
- Weight and BMI
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Smoking status
- Any complications
- Other medical conditions
Someone with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes and no complications may have more options than they expect.
Will diabetes make life insurance more expensive?
It can. Diabetes may increase the cost of life insurance because it can increase long-term health risk.
The premium may depend on:
- Type of diabetes
- Age at diagnosis
- Current age
- HbA1c readings
- Medication
- Insulin use
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- BMI
- Smoking status
- Complications
- Cover amount
- Policy term
- Type of cover
Some people may get competitive terms. Others may pay more. The exact outcome depends on the insurer and the details of the case.
Can diabetes lead to refusal?
Yes, but diabetes alone does not usually mean automatic refusal.
A refusal may be more likely where diabetes is linked to:
- Serious kidney disease
- Advanced eye complications
- Heart disease
- Recent heart attack
- Recent stroke
- Severe circulation problems
- Foot ulcers or amputation
- Very poor control
- Repeated hospital admissions
- Severe uncontrolled blood pressure
- Heavy smoking
- Multiple serious conditions together
- Ongoing investigations
Sometimes an insurer may postpone rather than decline. That may happen if diabetes is newly diagnosed, recent test results are awaited or control has not yet stabilised.One insurer saying no does not mean every insurer will say no.
Will the insurer contact your GP?
Sometimes.
A GP report may be requested if:
- The diabetes history is complex
- The cover amount is high
- HbA1c readings are unclear
- There are complications
- You have other medical conditions
- You use insulin
- You have had hospital admissions
- The insurer needs more detail
- The application answers need checking
A GP report can slow the application down, but it can also help. If the report confirms stable control and no complications, it may support the application. You should normally be asked for permission before medical information is requested.
What if you were only recently diagnosed?
A recent diabetes diagnosis may make underwriting more cautious.
The insurer may want to see:
- Confirmation of type
- Initial treatment plan
- HbA1c response
- Medication stability
- Blood pressure readings
- Cholesterol results
- No early complications
- GP follow-up
In some cases, the insurer may postpone until there is more information. This does not always mean permanent refusal. It may simply mean the insurer wants to see how the condition settles.
Should you wait before applying?
Sometimes waiting can help, but not always.
Waiting may make sense if:
- You have just been diagnosed
- Your medication has just changed
- Your HbA1c is currently high but improving
- You are waiting for test results
- You are awaiting a specialist review
- Blood pressure is being stabilised
- You have recently stopped smoking
However, waiting is not automatically better. Age can also increase premiums. Health can change in other ways. And if you have a mortgage, partner or children, waiting may leave them unprotected. A practical approach is to check your options before deciding whether to apply now or later.
Can you get mortgage life insurance with diabetes?
Yes, many people with diabetes can get life insurance to protect a mortgage. Mortgage protection is one of the most common reasons people apply.
A policy could help your family:
- Clear the mortgage
- Reduce the mortgage balance
- Stay in the family home
- Avoid forced sale
- Reduce monthly pressure
- Buy time after a death
Diabetes may affect the price, but it does not remove the need for protection. If your family would struggle to keep the home without you, it is worth checking what cover is available.
Diabetes and critical illness cover
Critical illness cover can be harder to arrange with diabetes than life insurance alone. This is because critical illness cover pays out if you are diagnosed with a serious illness listed in the policy and meet the insurer’s definition. Diabetes can be linked with conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other complications, so insurers may be more cautious.
Possible outcomes may include:
- Life insurance available, critical illness declined
- Critical illness available at a higher premium
- More medical evidence requested
- Certain terms restricted
- Application postponed
- Full cover accepted, depending on health and insurer
This does not mean you should avoid asking. It means expectations should be realistic.
👉 [Life insurance vs critical illness cover: what’s the difference?]
What type of life insurance is best with diabetes?
There is no single best type for everyone. The right policy depends on why you need cover.
Level term life insurance
Level term life insurance keeps the payout amount the same throughout the policy term.
It can be useful for:
- Family protection
- Income replacement
- Interest-only mortgages
- Leaving a fixed lump sum
- Childcare and future costs
Decreasing term life insurance
Decreasing term life insurance reduces over time. It is often used with a repayment mortgage because the mortgage balance usually reduces. It may be cheaper than level cover, but it may leave less extra money for wider family needs.
Family income benefit
Family income benefit pays a regular income rather than one large lump sum. It may be useful if you want your family to receive ongoing support instead of managing one lump sum.
Whole-of-life cover
Whole-of-life cover is designed to last for life, provided premiums are paid and the policy terms are met. It may be used for estate planning or funeral costs, but it can be more expensive and needs careful consideration.
How much cover should you choose?
The right amount depends on your responsibilities. You may want to consider:
- Mortgage balance
- Rent
- Household bills
- Childcare costs
- Children’s future needs
- Existing debts
- Funeral costs
- Income replacement
- Partner’s income
- Savings
- Existing life insurance
- Employer death-in-service cover
Do not choose cover only by asking what is cheapest. Choose cover based on what your family would actually need.
What if you already have life insurance and later develop diabetes?
If you already have life insurance and are later diagnosed with diabetes, your existing policy usually continues as long as premiums are paid and the policy terms are met. You normally do not need to tell the insurer about a new diagnosis unless the policy specifically requires it or you are making a claim.
Be careful before cancelling old cover. If you apply again later, the new policy will usually be based on your current age and health. That could make cover more expensive or harder to arrange.
👉 Can I increase or change my life insurance cover after taking it out?
What happens if you do not disclose diabetes?
If the insurer asks about diabetes, you must answer accurately. Failing to disclose diabetes, medication, complications or related health issues can cause serious problems. If a claim is made, the insurer may check medical records. If the application answers were inaccurate or incomplete, the claim could be delayed, reduced or declined depending on the circumstances and policy terms.
Being honest is not just the right thing to do. It protects your family from problems later.
How to improve your chances of getting cover
You may improve your chances by:
- Knowing whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- Having your latest HbA1c result ready
- Keeping blood pressure monitored
- Managing cholesterol
- Taking medication as prescribed
- Attending diabetes reviews
- Keeping eye and kidney checks up to date
- Stopping smoking if possible
- Being accurate about BMI
- Being honest about complications
- Avoiding random applications
- Comparing insurers carefully
You do not need perfect health to apply. But clear, accurate and stable information helps.
Why advice can help with diabetes
Advice can be particularly useful if you have diabetes.
An adviser may help you:
- Identify insurers more comfortable with diabetes
- Understand what information will be needed
- Avoid unnecessary declines
- Decide whether timing matters
- Compare life-only and critical illness options
- Match cover to mortgage or family needs
- Avoid cancelling useful existing cover
- Review options after health improves
This can be especially useful if you have Type 1 diabetes, insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes, complications, high blood pressure, smoking history, previous cancer, high BMI or previous insurance declines.
Common myths about diabetes and life insurance
“Diabetes means automatic refusal”
Not true.
Many people with diabetes can get life insurance.
“Type 1 diabetes always means no cover”
Not necessarily.
Well-managed Type 1 diabetes may still be insurable, although premiums may be higher.
“Type 2 diabetes is always easy”
Not always.
Type 2 diabetes can still be complex if it is poorly controlled or linked to complications.
“I should wait until my numbers improve”
Maybe, but not always.
Waiting can help in some cases, but age and other health changes also matter.
“Employer cover is enough”
Death-in-service cover can be useful, but it usually depends on staying with that employer.
It may not be enough for your mortgage, partner or children.
“I should not mention diabetes unless asked”
Answer the questions you are asked honestly.
If the insurer asks about diabetes, medication or medical history, disclose it accurately.
Related life insurance guides
If you are applying for life insurance with diabetes, these guides may also help:
- [Can life insurance be refused? Common reasons explained]
- [Can I get life insurance with a pre-existing medical condition?]
- [Life insurance for people with high blood pressure]
- [Life insurance for smokers]
- [Life insurance and alcohol consumption]
- [Life insurance vs critical illness cover: what’s the difference?]
- [How much life insurance do I need in the UK?]
- [How does life insurance work with a mortgage?]
- [What does life insurance actually pay out for?]
This article explains life insurance for people with diabetes. The related guides help you understand refusal risk, medical underwriting, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol, critical illness, cover amount, mortgage protection and payout rules.
The bottom line
Diabetes does not mean you cannot get life insurance.
Many people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can still get cover.The outcome depends on the type of diabetes, age at diagnosis, HbA1c control, medication, complications, blood pressure, cholesterol, BMI, smoking status and the amount of cover requested. Life insurance may cost more if you have diabetes, but it can still be available and valuable.
If your family, partner or mortgage would be financially exposed if you died, it is worth checking your options rather than assuming you will be declined. The right insurer, accurate information and good timing can make a significant difference.
👉 [Check life insurance options with diabetes — no obligation]
