Life insurance for people with diabetes: Can you still get covered?

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Life with diabetes can be filled with worry and anxiety over your health. Whether you’re checking your blood sugar levels or counting your carbs, there’s plenty to think about.

The information on this page should not be considered as financial advice. If you are unsure what’s right for you, please make sure you speak to a financial adviser.

If you’re worried about how your health might impact your family, you could feel more secure with a life insurance policy. Designed to guarantee reassurance, they offer peace of mind that your family is protected, should the worst happen.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you’ll need to know about getting the right insurance policy if you have diabetes; from policy considerations to obtaining cover and exploring your options.

Can you get life insurance if you have diabetes?

If you have diabetes, it doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance. If you are in control of your diabetes, either through monitoring and diet or insulin injections, life insurance providers will consider offering you cover. It’s crucial you let your insurance provider know if you’ve had diabetes from birth or have developed it later in life.

If you find you're approved for a life insurance policy, the fact you have diabetes will typically increase your monthly premiums. That’s because diabetes carries more risk for insurers. Your monthly premiums can be affected by:

• The type of diabetes you have.
• How well your diabetes is controlled.
• Your general health overall – for example whether you have any other health conditions alongside your diabetes.
• The age you take out your policy.
• The total amount of cover you require.

Life insurance for people with type 1 diabetes

According to Diabetes.org, less than one in 10 people across the UK have type 1 diabetes and unfortunately, there is no way to prevent it from developing. The condition occurs when the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, meaning the body can no longer produce enough insulin to regulate blood glucose levels. It’s most commonly diagnosed in childhood, although it can also develop in adults.

Having type 1 diabetes doesn’t automatically prevent you from getting life insurance. However, insurers will usually ask additional questions about your health and how well your condition is managed. This may include details like:

• When you were diagnosed.
• Your most recent HbA1c levels.
• Whether you’ve experienced complications.
• The medication or insulin treatment you use.

If your diabetes is well controlled and you attend regular check-ups, insurers may still offer cover. Premiums are often higher than standard policies, as providers consider diabetes a higher-risk condition.

The most important step is to disclose your diagnosis when applying for life insurance, as failing to do so could invalidate your policy.

Life insurance for people with Type 2 diabetes

Unlike Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes has been linked to being overweight or inactive, however, it can also be hereditary. Around 90% of those who have diabetes suffer from type 2, according to CKS.nice, and it’s estimated that almost 6.9 million Brits are at increased risk of developing the condition, according to Diabetes.org.

When applying, insurers may ask about:

• Your age at diagnosis.
• Your weight and BMI.
• Whether you manage the condition through lifestyle changes, medication, or insulin.
• Your HbA1c levels and overall diabetes management.

Applicants who manage their condition well may find it easier to access competitive policies. However, as with any pre-existing medical condition, it’s essential to declare your diagnosis when applying.

Life insurance for other forms of diabetes

Type 1 and type 2 are the most common forms of diabetes. However, you might not know that diabetes has several other variations. There is pregnancy related diabetes which is often temporary, and diabetes caused by other illnesses or diseases, such as cystic fibrosis. Whilst the list isn't exhaustive, it's possible you could suffer from the following: 

• Gestational diabetes: A temporary form of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy, usually resolving after the baby is born.
• Latent autoimmune diabetes (LADA): A slower-developing form of type 1 diabetes that occurs in adults when the immune system gradually destroys insulin-producing cells.
• Neonatal diabetes: A rare form of diabetes diagnosed in babies under six months old that can be either temporary or permanent.
• Type 3c: Diabetes caused by damage to the pancreas from conditions like pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatic cancer.

The impact these conditions have on life insurance depends on the underlying cause, whether the condition is temporary, and whether it leads to long-term complications.

For example, gestational diabetes often resolves after pregnancy, which may have little long-term impact on life insurance applications if there are no ongoing issues. Other forms, like LADA or type 3c diabetes, may be assessed similarly to type 1 or type 2 diabetes depending on how they affect insulin production and blood sugar control.

In some cases, diabetes may be linked to another medical condition, like pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatic disease. If this is the case, insurers will usually consider both the underlying condition and the diabetes diagnosis when assessing your application.

As with all types of diabetes, full disclosure during the application process is essential, as insurers rely on accurate health information when deciding whether to offer cover.

How to apply for life insurance if you have diabetes

Applying for life insurance is the same process for everyone. You’ll just need to make sure you communicate what you want and any conditions you’ve been diagnosed with.

Honesty is key. You’ll be taking out life insurance for many reasons, but it’s most likely that your loved ones have some financial security if you pass away. Unfortunately, if you fail to tell your insurer about any pre-existing conditions, like diabetes, it could invalidate your claim and mean that your family is left without cover.

1. Speak to a financial adviser

Life insurance is a long-term purchase, so speaking to a financial adviser can give you a better understanding of what you’re buying.

In fact, they’re often best placed to help you find the right life insurance product based on your circumstances. They can even do the hardest part for you – calculating how much life insurance you’ll need. So your financial adviser can make the right decisions for you, they’ll need to know if you have any existing diseases or illnesses, alongside your lifestyle choices and total household salary. You might want to use life insurance as a security blanket for your mortgage or to offer your family some financial freedom if you were unable to work or fell ill with a serious illness. Whatever your reasons, this will help your financial adviser choose the right product.

2. Decide which life insurance policy works for you

Your financial adviser will suggest a life insurance policy based on your circumstances and needs. They’ll give you all the details, everything you can expect, plus all the things you need to remember. All you’ll need to do is decide if it’s right for you and if it works for you and your beneficiaries. Alternatively, you can shop around to find the right policy for you and assess the providers available.

If you feel you want more protection, you might be able to add critical illness cover to your policy. Although it might not cover you for any existing diabetes conditions, you could be protected against other diseases like cancer. You’ve also got the option to add children’s critical illness cover for any existing or future children you have.

Under some providers, this might offer you protection if your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes later on. You could also benefit from Income Protection if you’re unable to work.

Note: LV= does not currently offer critical illness or Income Protection for those with diabetes, only life insurance.

3. Consider how much cover you need

Whatever your reason for taking out a life insurance policy, you’ll need an idea of how much cover you require. Some financial advisers base this on the highest earner’s salary multiplied by 10, whilst others strategically look at their yearly outgoings and make a judgement call based on that.

If you have diabetes, your monthly premiums will usually be more expensive as your condition carries more risks for your health. Despite this, your total cover amount will stay the same, unless you opt for either a decreasing or increasing life insurance term.

4. Think about your beneficiaries

Your beneficiaries can be anyone you hold dear. Whether that’s your children, elderly relatives or a spouse, your death benefit should be able to support them if you pass away during the term of your life insurance policy. Your death benefit can be used to give your family financial stability, pay off your mortgage and assist with daily living costs for your chosen beneficiaries.

When you purchase a life insurance policy, you’ll need to have your beneficiaries in mind. This will help you decide your total death benefit amount as well as the type of cover you might need. Typically, most people select a beneficiary who financially depends on them in some capacity.

5. Purchase your life insurance policy

Your financial adviser can walk you through the entire process when purchasing life insurance if you need them to. Once your policy has been purchased, you’ll need to pay your monthly premiums on time until your policy expires. If you pass away within the duration of your term or whole life policy, your death benefit will be sent to your beneficiaries in a lump sum.

It’s possible you might outlive your policy, unless you selected a whole of life product. At LV=, you’ll be able to keep your life insurance policy running until the day before your 90th birthday, but you might not need it to. Many people in their 30s and 40s take out life insurance to protect their families, especially when their children are small. As you near the end of your policy, you might not have that same need to keep your policy going.

Should you tell your insurer that you have diabetes?

Yes, you’ll need to tell your insurer about any pre-existing disease or illness you have, which includes diabetes. Failing to do this could void your policy, leaving your family without the death benefit you arranged for them.

Let LV= handle your life insurance policy

At LV= we offer a range of life insurance policies that are designed to meet your exact needs.

We consider everything you tell us, including diagnoses like diabetes, or other chronic conditions. 

Our team are compassionate, and we will only ask questions if they’re necessary to getting your life insurance policy. We’ve also partnered with LifeSearch, who provide independent financial advice without any judgement about your condition.

Life insurance policies for people with diabetes FAQs

Are you worried about getting a life insurance policy living with diabetes? Find the answers to any questions you have below.

Is life insurance more expensive if you have diabetes?

Life insurance can be more expensive if you have diabetes because insurers consider it a higher health risk.

Premiums often depend on factors like your HbA1c levels, age at diagnosis, overall health, lifestyle and whether you have any diabetes-related complications.

Do you have to declare diabetes on a life insurance application?

Yes, you must declare diabetes when applying for life insurance.

Failing to disclose a pre-existing condition like diabetes could invalidate your policy or result in a claim being rejected. Being honest during the application process ensures your insurer can accurately assess your eligibility for cover.

What type of life insurance can people with diabetes get?

If you’re living with diabetes, there are still several life insurance options available depending on your overall health, age and how well your condition is managed. Insurers will usually assess factors like HbA1c levels, treatment and medical history when reviewing your application.

Whole life insurance – Provides cover for your entire lifetime and guarantees a payout to your beneficiaries whenever you pass away, as long as premiums are maintained.

Term life insurance – Offers cover for a fixed period, such as 10, 20 or 30 years. Term policies can include level cover (fixed payout), decreasing cover (often used for mortgages) or increasing cover to help keep up with inflation.

Critical illness cover – Often taken alongside life insurance, this policy pays out a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a specified serious illness during the policy term, helping to cover living costs or time away from work.

Do life insurers check medical records for diabetes?

In some cases, life insurers may request access to your medical records or contact your GP to verify information about your diabetes and overall health.

This helps them accurately assess the risk involved before approving a policy and determining the cost of your premiums.

Does well-controlled diabetes make life insurance cheaper?

Managing your diabetes well can improve your chances of getting more affordable life insurance.

Insurers often consider factors like stable HbA1c levels, regular medical check-ups, a healthy lifestyle and the absence of complications when assessing premiums.