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Life insurance can financially help protect your loved ones if you pass away, making it an important financial tool for many. However, people with health conditions like diabetes may have additional questions about their eligibility. Although having diabetes may cause you to pay higher premiums, you can still find coverage options. Let’s dive deeper into how life insurance works for people with diabetes and some tips for finding a policy that best fits your budget.
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Life insurance is a type of insurance policy that pays out a sum, called a death benefit, to your beneficiaries if you pass away during the policy’s term. You can pay monthly or annual premiums to maintain this coverage. Beneficiaries can use the death benefit they receive for any purpose, such as helping replace income, saving for financial goals, and paying off debt.
People with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can qualify for life insurance, but your premiums may be higher since insurers consider your personal and family health history when calculating premiums. Shopping around for policies can help you compare quotes and find better rates on the coverage you need.
Here are some life insurance policies people with diabetes can consider:
Term life insurance lasts for 10, 20, or 30 years, depending on your selected policy term. Your beneficiaries receive the death benefit if you pass away during this period. If you want to continue your coverage after you outlive the policy’s term, you must renew your policy or get a new one. In exchange for this limited-time coverage, premiums can be less than those you’d pay for permanent life insurance policies.
Whole life insurance covers you for life as long as you continue to pay premiums. Premiums are higher than term life insurance to account for lifelong coverage and a cash value growth component. Some of each premium payment goes into this component and grows tax-deferred at a fixed rate. Eventually, you can borrow against it at low interest and no repayment date. You can also withdraw from it, or receive the full amount minus surrender charges if you ever surrender your policy.
Like whole life insurance, universal life insurance helps cover you for life and provides a cash value component. However, you can raise or lower the death benefit by raising or lowering your premiums. This policy can offer more flexibility for changing coverage needs throughout your life.
Final expense insurance is a small whole life policy for medical bills, funeral costs, and other end-of-life expenses. The death benefit is smaller, but premiums are lower, and you may be able to avoid taking a medical exam. It also comes with cash value, helping you to potentially build wealth.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedPeople with either form of diabetes may pay more in premiums than those without. However, those with Type 1 diabetes may pay more, on average, than those with Type 2 diabetes.1 This is because Type 2 diabetes tends to have milder symptoms and is easier to manage. A healthy diet, exercise, and medication can be enough for many to keep their diabetes under control. Type 1 diabetes is more serious and may require insulin therapy. However, staying as healthy as possible may mitigate some of the higher premiums.
People with diabetes can take several actions to help maximize their approval chances and reduce their potential premiums:1
People with diabetes may pay higher premiums on average, but following healthy habits and managing your diabetes can potentially reduce some of these premiums. Getting regular exercise, eating healthy, avoiding smoking, taking your diabetes medication, and visiting your doctor can all help you stay healthy. Not only can these actions lead to better medical exam results, but you can also demonstrate to insurers that you’re vigilant about managing your diabetes. This may increase your chances of approval and allow you to find premiums to fit your budget.
Life insurers may charge different rates for similar coverage. Therefore, shopping around can help you find the best rate by providing multiple quotes for comparison. You can shop for quotes online, over the phone, or in person.
Some smaller permanent life insurance policies may not require a medical exam. These include final expense insurance, guaranteed-issue life insurance, and simplified-issue life insurance.
When applying for coverage, plans that do not require a medical exam are considered much less invasive. This also speeds up the process, as taking the medical exam and waiting for the results is usually the longest step in getting life insurance.
Some insurers offer wellness programs to encourage policyholders to engage in healthy activities and behaviors, such as getting annual checkups, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight. These programs often offer financial incentives, such as discounts on premiums, cash rewards, and gift cards for participating in qualifying activities. This can help you save money on life insurance and live a healthier, happier life in the process.
Life insurance may cost more for people with diabetes and require additional consideration, but you can still qualify for many policies. Plus, you can minimize the increased premiums by leading a healthy lifestyle, shopping for quotes, and demonstrating to your insurer that you work hard to manage your diabetes.
At Aflac, we understand people of all health backgrounds need access to coverage for their loved ones. We have various life insurance policies with and without medical exams for people with diabetes, and can work with you to help provide the coverage you need. Chat with an agent today to learn more about your options and get a quote.
Get Started
Life insurance companies may require you to take a life insurance medical exam when getting a policy. Learn how the life insurance medical exam works.
Picking the right life insurance policy can greatly impact your retirement plan and your family’s financial security.
Life insurance companies may require you to take a life insurance medical exam when getting a policy. Learn how the life insurance medical exam works.
Picking the right life insurance policy can greatly impact your retirement plan and your family’s financial security.
1Policygenius - Best life insurance for diabetics, type 1 & 2. Updated May 1, 2024. https://www.policygenius.com/life-insurance/diabetes/. Accessed March 20, 2025.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, Aflac coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Aflac life plans – A68000 series: Term Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68200, A68300 & A68400. In New York, Policies NY68200, NY68300 and NY68400. Whole Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100. In Delaware, Policy A68100. In New York, Policy NYR68100. B60000 series: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B60C10, ICC18B60100, ICC18B60200, ICC18B60300, & ICC18B60400. Not available in Delaware. Q60000 series/Whole: In Arkansas & Delaware, Policy Q60100M. In Idaho, Policy Q60100MID. In Oklahoma, Policy Q60100MOK. Not available in Virginia. Q60000 series/Term: In Delaware, Policies Q60200CM. In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Policies ICC18Q60200C, ICC18Q60300C, ICC18Q60400C. Not available in Virginia.
Aflac Final Expense insurance coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, a subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated and is administered by Aetna Life Insurance Company. Tier One Insurance Company is part of the Aflac family of insurers. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (NAIC 92908).
In AR, DE, ID, OK and VA: Policies ICC21-AFLLBL21 and ICC21-AFLRPL21; and Riders ICC21-AFLABR22, ICC21-AFLADB22, and ICC21-AFLCDR22. Aflac Final Expense policies are not available in New York.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY, VA or VT. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.
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