Life Insurance for Diabetics: The Best No Medical Exam Options & How to Apply

Last Updated: September 2020

Quick Tip: Choose “Regular” health class on the quoter on the side of this page and view rates on the next screen. If you’re a well-controlled Type 2 diabetic diagnosed over age 50, you can qualify for the rates displayed. Otherwise, you can still get coverage (with no medical exam even), but it will be slightly more expensive.

Life insurance for people with diabetes can be very affordable, depending on the life insurance company you use and how well your diabetes is controlled.

When people with diabetes are declined for coverage, it’s usually because they used the wrong life insurance company. If you compare quotes from the best companies, you can qualify for an affordable policy.

In this article, we will help you understand life insurance for diabetics. We will show you info on type 1 vs type 2 diabetics, what the carriers will ask you during underwriting, the best life insurance companies for diabetics, and more.

• 5 Things to Know About Life Insurance for People with Diabetes
• How Much Will Life Insurance Cost with Diabetes?
• What Life Insurance Companies Need to Know About Your Diabetes
• Life Insurance with Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes
• The Best Life Insurance Companies for Diabetics with No Medical Exam
• Burial Insurance for People with Diabetes
• How To Apply for Life Insurance for People with Diabetes

---

5 Things to Know About Life Insurance for People with Diabetes

Before purchasing life insurance, know these general facts about securing life insurance with diabetes.

1. If your diabetes is under control, you’ll have no problems securing coverage.
2. We recommend securing coverage without a medical exam first (if you qualify) to get coverage in force now. Then, apply for life insurance with a medical exam. Cancel the more expensive policy.
3. If your diabetes isn’t under control or you have other health complications, you can still find an affordable life insurance policy if you find the right company.
4. A life insurance agent will need to know your current A1C levels and how they’ve been for the last year, your current medications, your build, when you were diagnosed, and of course, if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
5. Every life insurance company will view your diabetes differently. It’s up to you or your insurance agent to find the company with the lowest rates for you. There isn’t a specific company that will be best for every diabetic.

---

How Much Will Life Insurance Cost with Diabetes?

The cost of life insurance for people with diabetes depends on the health classification a life insurance company assigns to your risk.

Every company has different standards for applicants with diabetes.

• The best life insurance rates will be given to those with well-controlled diabetes who were diagnosed later in life.
• If your diagnosis was recent, the life insurance underwriting process will typically require 2 or 3 follow up visits to demonstrate control.
• The more expensive life insurance rates will be given to uncontrolled diabetics, and to those who don’t take their treatment seriously. For example, term life insurance for smokers or overweight people is more expensive than a policy for someone who tries to stay healthy with diet and exercise.

Life Insurance Health Classes for Diabetics

Here’s a brief summary of the different health classes and how they relate to people with diabetes.

• Preferred Plus: This is the best class you can qualify for. This is reserved for those without any health issues. Diabetics cannot qualify for preferred plus life insurance rates.
• Preferred: This health class is typically given to those with very minor health issues. You must have been diagnosed over age 60 and have your diabetes under control to qualify for preferred rates. This is the best you’ll get as a person with diabetes.
• Standard Plus: This health class is given to those with above-average health. For diabetics, if you’re diagnosed over age 50 and have everything under control, you could potentially get this health classification as long as there are no other health or lifestyle issues.
• Standard: Consider this an average health class – what most of the country qualifies for. If you were diagnosed with diabetes after age 50, and have controlled your diabetes, you may qualify for standard rates. If this is you, run an instant quote on our website at standard rates.
• SubStandard (Table Rating): Life insurance table ratings range from Table 1 (+25% of standard rates) to Table 8 (+200% of standard rates). It’s reserved for those with health complications. Most diabetics fall within Table 1 – Table 8 health class. This is given to people whose diabetes onset under age 50 or those that aren’t under control. As a general rule of thumb, type 1 diabetics will start at a “table 4” substandard rating.

What Affects Your Life Insurance Health Class?

For people with diabetes, your health class and cost of life insurance primarily depends on 3 factors.

1. Your current A1C levels and A1C levels over the last year. Basically, underwriters want to know how well controlled your diabetes is.
2. Your current age and when you were diagnosed. If you’re diagnosed over age 60, you can still qualify for preferred rates. For people diagnosed over age 50 and you can qualify for standard rates. For over age 40 you’ll qualify for Table 2 rates most likely (with some exceptions).
3. What type of diabetes you have. Type 1 or 2.

There’s a lot more information we need to accurately assess your diabetes, but knowing these 3 pieces of information, we can determine your health classification.

Tips for People with Diabetes to Save on Life Insurance

The best way to receive lower rates for life insurance, especially for type 2 diabetics is to take the following steps.

• Effectively manage your diabetes through a healthy diet and exercise.
• Control your diabetes and lower your blood sugar levels.
• Just like with non-diabetics, having a having lower cholesterol, and lower blood pressure will mean lower rates.
• Lower your A1C.
• Reach a healthy body weight. Life insurance for overweight people is always more expensive.
• Take less medication.
• If you skydive, scuba dive, or do any other hazardous activities, your rates will be impacted. The same goes for any DUIs, reckless driving tickets, or an excessive amount of speeding tickets.

As you can see, it’s not just your diabetes you have to be mindful of, when searching for affordable life insurance rates.

---

What Life Insurance Companies Need to Know About Your Diabetes

Once you have completed your application, the life insurance underwriting process begins. One part of the underwriting process is an interview in which you will most likely be asked health questions.

Here’s what life insurance underwriters will want to know about your diabetes:

• A1C levels (current and past)
• The age you were diagnosed with diabetes
• Insulin type: Novolog, Lantus, Humulin, Humalog, Apidra?
• How many units per day?
• Any other medications?
• Any diabetic complications?
• Height/weight?
• Any other health issues?
• What your most recent labs have said: cholesterol levels, fasting blood glucose, proteins, and creatinine

They will also want to know about any other additional health issues if you have any pre-existing health conditions, and any complications you may be experiencing due to your diabetes.

Many insurance companies will ask you these health questions, and some will require a medical exam. But in this article, we are focusing on life insurance for diabetics that do not require any kind of medical exam for approval.

Making sure that all of your information is organized can help you more adequately and completely answer these health questions. Remember, though, all of your risk factors will still be taken into consideration.

---

Life Insurance with Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes

Does it matter to life insurance companies which type of diabetes you have? Yes, it typically does matter.

In most cases, type 1 diabetics will have a more difficult time finding life insurance, especially with no medical exam. However, it’s not impossible.

Life Insurance for Type 1 Diabetics

Some life insurance companies won’t write life insurance for type 1 diabetics and most of the companies that do offer very expensive rates.

There are a few companies that do have more favorable type 1 diabetes life insurance rates because of their unique underwriting. It’s important to find the company that will view your situation most favorably.

For those who have their type 1 diabetes under control, affordable rates are available under these conditions:

1. Compliance with medications and testing. Underwriters want to see documented results and know you’re serious about controlling your diabetes. The best offers are given to those with consistent follow up on their diabetes with proof in their medical records.
2. No diabetes-related complications. If you have any eyes, foot, or skin complications, you’ll have a hard time finding low rates. Depending on the severity, it may still be possible to get you insured, but you may have to settle for a graded death benefit life insurance policy.
3. For juvenile type 1 diabetes, you must be over age 30 and have consistent a1c levels below 7.
4. For adult-onset type 1 diabetes, it must be at least 1 year since your diagnosis, and you must have a1c levels below 7.

The biggest mistake people with type 1 diabetes make when shopping for life insurance is contacting their bank, State Farm, Farmers or Allstate agent, or even a life insurance call center.

These agencies are great at their core business but aren’t specialists in high risk life insurance. Most of the declines we see are from banks, local insurance agents, and call centers.

Life Insurance for Type 2 Diabetics

If you have type 2 diabetes, you will have an easier time obtaining life insurance.

However, you should still compare companies to find the best rates. Choosing the first company you see could cost $1000’s more over the lifetime of the policy.

Still, with type 2 diabetes, you’ll get better rates if you have your diabetes and other health issues under control.

What About Gestational Diabetes & Life Insurance?

When it comes to gestational diabetes and life insurance, many life insurance carriers don’t put much weight on it because it is usually only a temporary condition and most of the time goes away when the baby is born.

However, there may be a concern if the diabetes continues after the pregnancy and turns into type 2 diabetes. If you did not show any signs of diabetes before you became pregnant, you should still be able to find affordable life insurance rates despite gestational diabetes.

---

The Best Life Insurance Companies for Diabetics with No Medical Exam

Despite what many TV commercials and life insurance companies say, diabetics can qualify for life insurance with no medical exam.

There are several carriers who offer life insurance with no medical exam for both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. Here are our top 5.

Foresters

If you’re a type 2 diabetic and have your diabetes under control without any other major health complications, Foresters life insurance is a great option.

• You can get approved within 1 week and sometimes in as little as 24 hours.
• You can get up to $400,000 in coverage.
• Foresters offer great living and member benefits.

We highly recommend this product if you can qualify.

Nassau RE

Nassau RE has an “Express” product with 48-hour approval that type 1 and type 2 diabetics can qualify for.

• Get up to $400,000 in coverage.
• Your diabetes must be under control.
• You must be over age 30.

Their “Safe Harbor” product will be less expensive and go up to $500,000, but Nassau RE (formerly Phoenix Life Insurance Company) will pull your medical records and make a decision based on those (4+ weeks for approval).

They will also pay up to 95% of the death benefit for any heart attack, cancer diagnosis, stroke, or renal failure.

Sagicor

For well-controlled type 2 diabetics, you can get coverage approved within 24 hours for a Sagicor life insurance policy.

• You must be diagnosed over age 40, taking oral medications or controlling with diet and exercise.
• You can get up to $500,000 in coverage.
• You must be in excellent health, only taking one other minor medication.

If you can qualify for this product, you’ll get some of the best non-med rates available.

Mutual of Omaha Term Life Express

Mutual of Omaha has a simplified issue product that is a bit more expensive than the other 3 carriers mentioned, but they come into play for diabetics in 2 instances.

1. If you’re over age 50 and can’t qualify due to your height and weight with the other 3 carriers, Mutual of Omaha might be right for you.
2. If you haven’t seen a doctor in 3 years, consider Mutual of Omaha.

Mutual of Omaha doesn’t have a build chart over age 50 and doesn’t have the question if you’ve seen your physician in the last 3 years.

• Mutual of Omaha offers coverage up to $300,000 from age 18-50.
• Get $250,000 in coverage for ages 51-65.
• They also have living benefits included with the policy, which means you can access the death benefit while living if you have a covered chronic or critical illness.

United Home Life

United Home Life has a 20-year term product that takes Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics.

• It’s the best priced “no exam” term life insurance policy for Type 1 diabetics.
• It only goes up to $50,000 of coverage.
• Even if you don’t have full control over your diabetes, you may still qualify for this policy.

Securing life insurance with no medical exam as a diabetic is not hard if you know where to look. We always recommend going the no exam route (if you can qualify), just to get coverage in force. You can then cancel your policy if you find a better rate with a medical exam.

---

Burial Insurance for People with Diabetes

Burial insurance is simply a small whole life policy to cover final expenses.

• There are no medical exams.
• You can have coverage in force within 30 minutes, depending on the company.
• It’s usually $5,000 to $50,000 of coverage.
• The premiums stay level for your whole life.

These burial insurance policies, also known as “final expense” policies are the easiest way to secure coverage as a diabetic and a very popular one for people over age 50 with diabetes or other health issues.

Most diabetics can get $10,000 of coverage for around $40-$60 per month in their 50’s, and around $60-$90 per month in their 60’s.

For burial insurance, however, they will not typically inquire about your A1C levels, how many years you have been diabetic, and they never really ask about your family medical history.

Make Sure You Get 1st Day Coverage

The number one thing to know about burial insurance for diabetics is to always make sure you’re getting “first-day coverage.” This means there’s no waiting period until you receive coverage.

There are many burial insurance companies that advertise on TV, radio, and online that have a 2 year waiting period (known as the “Graded Death Benefit”) and they advertise as if this is normal.

Graded death benefit life insurance policies are much more expensive and only for people who can’t qualify for traditional life insurance.

With burial insurance, coverage should start as soon as you make your first premium payment. You’ll have the coverage for as long as you pay the monthly premiums on the plan.

The Best Burial Insurance Companies for Diabetics

Below are some of the best burial insurance companies specifically for diabetics that you can purchase over the phone. All underwriting notes are what it takes to get “first-day coverage” described above.

• Foresters: Type 1 and type 2 diabetics can qualify. They offer great member benefits beyond life insurance coverage.
• Royal Neighbors Life Insurance: Most type 2 diabetics are accepted, even with Neuropathy and Retinopathy. People with type 1 diabetes can qualify as long as there’s been no insulin before age 30.
• Liberty Bankers: Most people with type 2 diabetes can qualify. If you’ve had a diabetic coma over 2 years ago, you can qualify for first-day coverage. Type 1 diabetics are accepted if you didn’t become diabetic before age 9.
• Mutual of Omaha: Type 1 and type 2 diabetics can qualify as long as your diabetes is under control. This is the most popular option due to Mutual of Omaha’s name recognition and low rates.
• AIG Guaranteed Issue: This AIG policy is a guaranteed acceptance life insurance policy with no health questions asked. There is a 2-year waiting period. Only use this burial insurance policy when all other companies won’t accept you for coverage.

If you’re over age 50 and have diabetes and are considering burial insurance coverage, we recommend you compare those 5 companies above. They’re diabetic-friendly and have very competitive rates.

---

How To Apply for Life Insurance for People with Diabetes

Searching for life insurance is never an easy task. For someone with diabetes, it becomes even more difficult.

Instead of having to call dozens of insurance companies, we recommend working with an independent life insurance agent like us, who has experience insuring people with diabetes.

We’ve helped 100’s of people with diabetes find life insurance. We will be able to compare multiple companies and life insurance quotes for you to find the best rates available.

Even if you’ve ever been denied life insurance coverage before, we can help. There are affordable life insurance options for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes that you can choose from.