Term Life Insurance with Type 2 Diabetes: What to Expect

By Jesse Hightower, CFP® (National Producer Number 832591), a licensed life insurance professional at Eterm.com & CIGI Direct Insurance Services - licensed in all 50 states and helping people get covered since 1986.
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026

Yes - most people with type 2 diabetes can get term life insurance, and if your diabetes is well controlled, the rate may be better than you expect. Insurance companies approve applicants with type 2 diabetes every day. The keys are how well your condition is managed, and - just as important - applying with the right insurance company, because underwriting guidelines for diabetes vary dramatically from one insurer to the next.

What underwriters look at

When you apply for traditional term life insurance with type 2 diabetes, the insurance company will typically consider:

• A1C level and stability. Your recent A1C readings matter more than any other single number. Stable control over several years reads far better than a single good result.
• Age at diagnosis. Diabetes diagnosed at 55 is viewed more favorably than diabetes diagnosed at 30, because fewer lifetime years of the condition means lower long-term risk.
• How it is managed. Diet and exercise control reads best, oral medications like metformin are routine, and insulin gets a closer look - especially recent or early-onset insulin use.
• Complications. Neuropathy, retinopathy, kidney involvement, or cardiovascular disease change the picture significantly and narrow the field of companies to apply to.
• The rest of your health. Blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and smoking status combine with the diabetes into an overall rate class. Well-managed cases with an otherwise clean profile can land surprisingly good classes.
• Follow-through. Regular doctor visits, filled prescriptions, and routine lab work show underwriters a managed condition rather than a neglected one.

What it costs

There is no separate "diabetic rate" - you are simply placed in one of the standard health classes, most often a Standard class for well-controlled type 2 diabetes, with better classes possible for mild, late-onset cases and adjusted rates for more complex ones. To see what the standard classes cost at your age, browse our sample term life insurance rates by age, or get an anonymous instant quote - no contact information required.

How to get the best rate with type 2 diabetes

• Apply with the right company the first time. This is the single biggest factor. Each insurer scores diabetes differently, and a decline on your record can complicate later applications. An independent agency that knows each company's guidelines can match your profile to the insurer most likely to approve you at the best price.
• Preferred rates are possible. With the advent of GLP-1 medications, a few companies are now offering Preferred rates on well-managed type 2 diabetes - something that was almost unheard of a few years ago. Not every insurer has caught up, so consult a knowledgeable insurance professional to find the companies offering the best rates.
• Have your numbers ready. Recent A1C results, your medication list, and your doctor's contact information speed up underwriting and avoid surprises.
• Time your application well. If your control has been improving, a few more months of good readings can move you into a better class. If you smoke, quitting for 12 months usually matters more than any other single change.
• Do not assume a past decline is final. Companies update their underwriting rules, and your health today - not your application from five years ago - is what counts.

What about type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is underwritten differently - fewer companies offer traditional coverage, and rates run higher - but coverage is available, and the same principle applies with even more force: company selection is everything. If you have type 1 diabetes, call us at (888) 823-8376 and we will tell you honestly what your options look like.

If traditional coverage is not available

For applicants whose diabetes involves significant complications, simplified issue and guaranteed issue policies provide coverage without full underwriting - at higher cost and lower coverage amounts. Our sister site HardToInsure.com specializes in these harder-to-place cases.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get life insurance with type 2 diabetes?

Yes. Most people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes qualify for traditional term life insurance. Approval and pricing depend mainly on how well the diabetes is controlled, your age when it was diagnosed, and whether you have complications or other health conditions.

What A1C level do I need for life insurance?

Most insurers like to see an A1C under about 8.0, and the best rates for people with type 2 diabetes generally go to applicants with an A1C in the 6s and stable readings over time. An elevated A1C does not automatically mean a decline - it usually means a different rate class, or that a different insurance company would be a better fit.

Does taking metformin or insulin affect my life insurance rates?

Oral medications like metformin are viewed as routine management and are compatible with good rates when your numbers are stable. Insulin use is looked at more carefully, particularly if it started recently or at a young age, but insulin users are approved for coverage every day - company choice matters even more in that situation.

Will I pay smoker rates or some other penalty because of diabetes?

No. Diabetes and tobacco are rated separately. A non-smoker with type 2 diabetes is priced as a non-smoker, in whatever health class their overall profile supports. However, the combination of diabetes plus tobacco is rated harshly, so quitting smoking has an outsized payoff for applicants with diabetes.

Which life insurance company is best for type 2 diabetics?

It changes based on your specific profile - age at diagnosis, A1C, medications, weight, and other conditions - because each company's underwriting guidelines treat diabetes differently. The same applicant can be declined by one insurer and offered a competitive rate by another. That is exactly why working with an independent agency that knows each company's guidelines matters more for diabetics than for almost any other applicant.

The information above is general in nature. Underwriting outcomes depend on your individual circumstances and each insurance company's current guidelines.

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