Best Life Insurance for Diabetics in 2026
Life insurance with diabetes: five insurers known for favorable underwriting, the policy types open to you, and what decides your rate.
How this guide was checked
This guide was written from the sources listed below, and Atif M., Arhox's editor, is responsible for it and corrects errors readers report. A dated line-by-line check against those sources is recorded here once the editor has completed one.
Drafting is assisted by AI tools. It has not been reviewed by an attorney or a licensed insurance professional. Read our editorial standards, or report a problem.
Sources (4)
- MoneyGeekmoneygeek.com · diabetics
- Investopediainvestopedia.com · the best life insurance for diabetics
- Forbes Advisorforbes.com · best life insurance for diabetics
- MarketWatchmarketwatch.com · life insurance for diabetics
In this guide
You can get life insurance with diabetes, Type 1 or Type 2. What you pay depends mostly on how well the condition is controlled, and some insurers treat diabetes more favourably than others.
The short version:
- Well-controlled Type 2 diabetes and good general health can qualify you for standard or better rates on term life.
- Insurers look at your A1C, the type of diabetes, your medication, any complications, and your age.
- If you cannot pass medical underwriting, group cover through an employer and guaranteed issue policies are still open to you.
- The company-specific details below come from published reviews, linked beside each claim. Underwriting rules change, so confirm them with the insurer or a broker.
This is general information, not financial or medical advice.
Five insurers worth a quote
These companies come up repeatedly in independent reviews for their underwriting of applicants with diabetes, their customer service, or their programmes.
Banner Life
Often a strong option if your diabetes is well controlled. One analysis found Banner Life had some of the lowest average monthly rates for non-smoking 40-year-olds with well-controlled diabetes buying a 20-year, $500,000 term policy: $42 for women and $54 for men (MoneyGeek). It accepts both Type 1 and Type 2. For Type 1, it considers applicants using fewer than 50 units of insulin a day with no major complications (MoneyGeek).
Nationwide
Frequently praised for customer experience and for favourable underwriting. Nationwide may consider people with diabetes for its Standard Plus risk class, which means lower premiums than the standard class, provided the diabetes is well managed and overall health is excellent (Investopedia). Some applicants over 40 with Type 2 diabetes who meet specific A1C thresholds and do not depend on insulin might qualify for its Nontobacco Preferred class. Many of its policies also include three living benefits at no extra cost, which let you draw on part of the death benefit if you develop a serious illness (Investopedia).
John Hancock
Notable for Aspire, a wellness programme designed for people with diabetes. It works with the John Hancock Vitality programme and offers blood glucose monitoring devices, virtual health coaching through Onduo, and discounts on healthy food. Participants earn points for activities and may cut their premiums by up to 25% by actively managing their condition (MoneyGeek).
On underwriting, applicants aged 50 or older with Type 2 diabetes, no complications, and no insulin dependency might qualify for Standard Plus. At 60 or older with the same profile, they might be considered for Preferred (Investopedia).
State Farm
Noted for competitive term rates and a wide eligibility age range, typically 18 to 75. Its riders include a flexible care benefit, which gives access to the death benefit for chronic illness and long-term care, and a guaranteed insurability option, which lets you increase coverage at certain times without another medical exam (Forbes Advisor).
Mutual of Omaha
Worth a look if you want no-exam, guaranteed-issue whole life cover, often with instant approval. On its term and permanent policies, the Fit credit programme lets customers lower their rates by showing good health markers such as an optimal blood pressure range (MarketWatch).
Which type of policy fits
Term life
Covers a set period and usually costs less than permanent cover. With well-controlled Type 2 diabetes and otherwise good health, you might qualify for standard or standard-plus rates, meaning the insurer sees you as an average or slightly below-average risk (MarketWatch).
Whole life and universal life
Permanent policies that cover you for life and can build cash value. They cost more than term. Eligibility and price depend heavily on how well your diabetes is managed and on your overall health. Universal life has flexible premiums and death benefits (MarketWatch).
Group life through an employer
Often the easiest route, because it usually needs little or no medical underwriting. You can generally enrol whatever your diagnosis. The coverage amount may be limited (MoneyGeek).
Guaranteed issue
No medical exam and no health questions, so it is available even with advanced diabetes or several complications. The trade-offs are real:
- Death benefits are small, from $2,000 to $30,000.
- There is a two-year graded death benefit. If you die within the first two years, the policy usually pays only a refund of premiums plus interest (MoneyGeek).
- It is generally the most expensive type of cover for what you get (Investopedia).
Final expense
Meant for funeral and other end-of-life costs, typically $2,000 to $50,000 of cover. Underwriting is simplified, with no medical exam. People with well-managed diabetes can often qualify, and policies can be issued within a few days (MoneyGeek).
What insurers look at
- Type of diabetes. Type 1, especially when diagnosed young, can be harder to underwrite.
- A1C. A well-controlled A1C is the key to better rates.
- Medication and treatment history. What you take and how consistently you have managed the condition.
- Complications. Any diabetes-related complications, and how severe they are, weigh heavily on both eligibility and price.
- Overall health. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and other conditions.
- Age. Younger applicants with well-managed Type 2 diabetes may get better rates.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get life insurance if you have diabetes?
Usually, yes. Many insurers offer term and permanent cover to people with diabetes, and with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes and otherwise good health you may qualify for standard or standard-plus rates (MarketWatch). The price depends on how well the condition is managed.
Does Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes matter?
It can. Type 1, especially when diagnosed young, can be harder to underwrite. Some insurers accept both types; for Type 1, one insurer considers applicants using fewer than 50 units of insulin a day with no major complications (MoneyGeek).
What if I am turned down for a traditional policy?
Group life through an employer usually needs little or no medical underwriting, and guaranteed issue cover asks no health questions. Guaranteed issue pays small death benefits and usually only refunds premiums plus interest if you die in the first two years (MoneyGeek).
What is the most important number on my application?
Your A1C. A well-controlled A1C is the key to better rates, alongside complications, treatment history, and overall health.
Where to go from here
Get quotes from more than one insurer, because each weighs diabetes differently. The five above are a reasonable starting list. A broker who works with several carriers can tell you which is likely to view your particular history most favourably.
More guides are in the life insurance section. Arhox is an independent publication, not an insurer or broker; our editorial policy and disclaimer explain how these guides are prepared.
Sources
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and by situation; a licensed attorney or insurance professional can speak to yours. Read the full disclaimer.