Life Insurance for Diabetics Guide 2026: Compare cover for people with diabetes

Can you get life insurance if you have diabetes?

Many people in the UK who live with diabetes can still get life insurance, whether they have type 1, type 2 or a rarer form of the condition. Insurers will treat diabetes as a pre-existing medical condition, which means the application can take a little longer and you will need to share more medical information with the insurer. Your monthly premiums are likely to be higher than someone of the same age without diabetes due to the potential health risks linked to the condition. However, with good control of your blood sugar, a healthy lifestyle and the help of a specialist broker, it is usually possible to find affordable cover that protects your family and fits your budget.

Is life insurance more expensive with diabetes?

Yes, almost all life insurance applications for someone with diabetes will pay a higher premium than for someone with no health issues or medical problems. Your premiums will depend on your diabetic symptoms, which type of diabetes you have, and if you have any diabetic complications (e.g. neuropathy, nephropathy, or retinopathy).

Does all life insurance cover type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Most of the major life insurance companies will provide cover for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, depending on your symptoms and the severity of your condition. Life insurance should also pay out for type 1 and type 2 diabetes as long as you disclosed your health on your application for life cover.

Can you get life insurance if you already have complications?

Common diabetic complications include neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy, which will all have an impact on your ability to get life cover and how much you will pay. Many life insurance companies will still consider life insurance for people with diabetic complications, as long as it is not life-threatening and well-controlled.

Is it better to speak to a diabetes life insurance broker?

Diabetes is generally considered to be a pre-existing medical condition for life cover, which means that it can be complicated to get the right cover and pay the right price. A specialist life insurance broker can help you to identify which are the best insurers for you based on their underwriting criteria and pricing for people with diabetes.

Key Points: Life insurance for diabetics guide in the UK 2026.

• People with type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes can usually still take out life insurance, although premiums are often higher than for someone without diabetes.
• Insurers will treat your diabetes as a pre-existing medical condition and will ask for medical evidence, including recent blood sugar tests and details of any complications.
• How well you manage your diabetes, including your HbA1c readings, weight, smoking status and lifestyle, has a major impact on what you pay.
• Type 2 diabetes that is well controlled, especially with lifestyle changes, is often viewed as lower risk than type 1, which usually starts younger and is lifelong.
• Specialist brokers and providers who understand diabetes can help you get more competitive quotes and avoid unnecessary refusals.
• You can usually choose from the main life insurance types – term, whole of life and over 50s – as well as consider critical illness cover and income protection.

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Read our complete guide to life insurance for diabetics, which is aimed at answering all of the top questions people ask us about life insurance and diabetes. Life insurance for diabetics can be available through the UK’s top insurance companies or specialist insurers for more complicated or severe cases.

This guide breaks down how life insurance applications work if you have type 1, type 2 or less common types of diabetes, what information you’ll need for life insurance quotes, and how to improve your chances of getting a fair price. It is written for people in the UK who want to protect their family, keep costs down, and avoid wading through confusing medical and insurance jargon.

How does life insurance work for diabetics?

At its core, life insurance for someone with diabetes works in the same way as any standard policy. You pay a monthly premium, and if you die during the term of the policy, your beneficiaries receive a payout. That lump sum can be used to clear a mortgage or other debts, pay for funeral costs, support children or simply give your partner breathing space to cover everyday bills.

The key difference is that insurers see diabetes as a higher health risk. That does not mean they will not cover you, but it does mean they will:

• Ask more detailed medical questions
• Usually require recent blood tests and GP reports
• Factor any diabetes-related complications into their decision
• Charge a higher premium than for an otherwise similar person without diabetes

Because underwriting is more complex, applications can take longer than a standard online quote. For many people with diabetes, especially those using insulin or who have complications, working with a specialist life insurance broker is often the quickest route to suitable cover.

If you want a plain English overview of how life insurance works in general, the MoneyHelper life insurance guide is a useful starting point.

Can diabetics get life insurance?

In most cases, yes. Many of the UK’s major life insurers provide cover to people with diabetes, and some offer specialist underwriting for type 1 and type 2. Even insurers without a specialist product will often still consider your application, although premiums may be significantly higher if they see your health risk as above average.

When you apply, the insurer will treat diabetes as a pre-existing condition. As part of the medical questionnaire and any follow-up, you are likely to be asked for:

• The type of diabetes you have and the date you were diagnosed
• Whether you use insulin injections, a pump or tablets, or manage your condition through lifestyle
• Recent blood glucose or HbA1c readings, and how often you have reviews
• Whether you smoke or use nicotine products
• Your height, weight and body mass index (BMI)
• Any diabetes-related complications such as eye, kidney, nerve or heart problems
• Other conditions, for example high blood pressure or raised cholesterol

For type 1 in particular, the insurer may decide that the overall risk is too high and decline cover. If that happens, it is worth asking why you were refused. Understanding whether it was due to your HbA1c level, complications, BMI or something else can help a specialist broker match you with an insurer that is more flexible for your situation.

How do different types of diabetes affect life insurance?

The two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, share high blood sugar as a feature, but they are quite different conditions. Insurers look at them separately because the long-term risks and treatment options are not the same.

• Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body stops producing insulin. It usually starts in childhood or early adulthood and always needs insulin replacement.
• Type 2 diabetes develops more gradually, typically in adulthood. The body either does not produce enough insulin or does not use it properly. In many cases, lifestyle changes can reduce blood sugar, and medication can be delayed or avoided.

Uncontrolled high blood glucose over time can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body. This is why insurers pay close attention to your readings, your HbA1c and any complications. Potential problems include:

• Coronary heart disease and stroke linked to blood vessel damage
• Nerve damage in the feet that can lead to ulcers and, in severe cases, amputation
• Eye problems, from cataracts and glaucoma to diabetic retinopathy
• Kidney disease caused by long-term strain on the kidneys
• Higher risk of gum disease and dental issues
• Raised blood pressure and cholesterol, which further increase cardiovascular risk

If you can show that your diabetes is well controlled, you attend regular reviews and you are taking steps to reduce risk factors, that will usually be reflected in better life insurance terms.

Life insurance for diabetics type 1

Type 1 diabetes often appears quite suddenly, usually in childhood or as a young adult. Because it is lifelong and always needs insulin, insurers see a longer period in which complications might develop. That extra time at risk is one of the reasons life cover for type 1 tends to cost more than for well-controlled type 2.

Most people with type 1 manage their condition through some combination of:

• Insulin injections or an insulin pump
• Frequent blood glucose monitoring or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
• Careful diet and carbohydrate counting
• Adjusting doses based on activity and illness

Insurers will look at how stable your control is, whether you have had episodes of severe hypos or hospital admissions and whether you have developed complications such as retinopathy or neuropathy. They will also consider more general health information such as your BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking status and any other medical conditions.

Because underwriting for life insurance for type 1 diabetes can be tricky, buying cover through a standard comparison site is rarely ideal. A specialist broker who deals with diabetes cases every day will know:

• Which insurers are more open to type 1 applicants
• How to present your medical information clearly and accurately
• What level of cover and benefit period is realistic for your budget
• When it is worth trying for standard rates and when a specialist product is more likely

Expect the process to take longer than average, and be prepared for higher premiums. But with good control and the right support, many people with type 1 still secure valuable protection for their families.

Life insurance for diabetics type 2

Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form in the UK. For many people, especially in the early years after diagnosis, it can be managed effectively with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, dietary tweaks, increased exercise and cutting back on alcohol and smoking.

From a life insurance point of view, type 2 is often seen as a lower risk than type 1, partly because it tends to be diagnosed later in life and can sometimes be brought into remission. If you have type 2 and no significant complications, you may be able to buy life cover directly online and be accepted within minutes.

Factors that usually help with pricing include:

• Consistently good HbA1c readings (blood glucose levels) within your target range
• No history of diabetes-related hospital stays
• Healthy BMI or evidence of recent, sustained weight loss
• Non-smoker status
• Well-controlled blood pressure and cholesterol

If your diabetes is poorly controlled, or if you have heart disease, kidney problems, eye disease or neuropathy, your premiums will be higher, and some insurers may decline cover. In that case, it is particularly helpful to use a broker with access to insurers that specialise in higher-risk clients.

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Other types of diabetes and gestational diabetes

While type 2 accounts for the majority of diabetes diagnoses in the UK and type 1 for a smaller share, there are several rarer forms. Insurers can usually still consider life cover, but applications are often best handled by a specialist intermediary.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes happens when blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy. For most people, levels return to normal after birth, although it does increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on.

If you apply for life insurance while you have gestational diabetes, insurers may:

• Underwrite you based on your health before pregnancy, ignoring temporary changes
• Offer cover but charge a higher premium during pregnancy
• Ask you to wait until after the birth, especially if your blood sugar is very unstable

If it is not urgent that you arrange cover during pregnancy, it may be simpler and cheaper to wait until your blood sugar has settled and your GP can confirm this. If you do take a policy now, ask whether the premium will be reviewed once your levels return to normal.

Rarer forms of diabetes

Some of the less common types of diabetes that can still be considered for life insurance include:

• Monogenic diabetes caused by a specific gene change, including:
  • Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY), which often appears before age 25
  • Neonatal diabetes, diagnosed in babies under six months
• Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), a slower-developing form of type 1 that can sometimes be mistaken for type 2
• Steroid-induced diabetes, where long-term steroid use pushes blood sugar up
• Type 3c diabetes, linked to damage to the pancreas, for example after pancreatitis or pancreatic surgery

Because these conditions are more complex, it is worth finding a broker who regularly places cases with specialist underwriters. They can help gather the right consultant letters and test results to show how well your condition is managed.

Getting life insurance with pre-diabetes

Prediabetes or non-diabetic hyperglycaemia means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. The positive side is that this is a strong warning sign and a chance to bring levels down through diet, exercise and weight loss.

Insurers tend to treat pre-diabetes similarly to mild type 2 diabetes. They will look at:

• Your most recent HbA1c or fasting glucose readings
• Your BMI and waist measurement
• Blood pressure and cholesterol results
• Any other medical conditions
• Steps you are currently taking to improve your lifestyle

You should still be able to buy life insurance, but your premium will probably be slightly higher than someone of the same age and build with completely normal blood sugar. Demonstrating that you are actively tackling your risk factors can help reduce the loading applied to your premium.

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What types of life insurance are available if you have diabetes?

Having diabetes does not usually restrict the basic types of life insurance you can apply for. In most cases, you can choose from the same policy structures as anyone else and your adviser can help you match them to your goals and budget. The main difference is in how much you pay and, occasionally, in any extra terms the insurer might add to your policy.

Term life insurance

Term life insurance covers you for a set period, such as 20 or 30 years. If you die during that time, your chosen beneficiaries receive a payout. For many people with diabetes, term life insurance linked to their mortgage or young family is the most affordable way to protect loved ones.

• Level term insurance: The amount of cover stays the same throughout the policy, which is useful if you want to provide a fixed lump sum for your family.
• Decreasing (mortgage) term insurance: The cover reduces roughly in line with a repayment mortgage, usually making it cheaper.
• Increasing term insurance: The cover and sometimes the premium rise over time to help protect against inflation.
• Family income benefit: Instead of a single lump sum, this pays a regular monthly or annual income to your beneficiaries until the end of the term.

Whole of life insurance

Whole of life insurance runs for the rest of your life, so it is guaranteed to pay out as long as you keep up with your premiums. This type of cover is often used to help with funeral costs, leave a fixed legacy or cover a potential inheritance tax bill. Because the insurer knows a claim will definitely be paid one day, whole of life cover is usually more expensive than term insurance, and premiums will reflect your diabetes and any other health conditions.

Over 50s life insurance

Over 50s plans are targeted at people aged 50 or over and typically offer guaranteed acceptance without medical underwriting. That means you will not usually be asked about your diabetes or other health conditions at all. The downside is that cover amounts are often relatively modest, and premiums can work out expensive per pound of cover, but for people who have struggled to get standard life insurance due to diabetes complications, an over 50s plan can sometimes be a straightforward way to secure a small guaranteed payout.

Information you will need to apply for life insurance with diabetes

To make the application process smoother, it helps to gather key medical information in advance. This allows your adviser and the insurer’s underwriters to build the clearest possible picture of your health, which can speed up decisions and give you a better chance of a fair premium.

• The type of diabetes you have and the date you were diagnosed.
• Details of your current treatment, including insulin injections or pump, tablets and any other medications.
• The results and date of your most recent HbA1c test.
• Whether you have had a diabetes review in the last year.
• Any diabetes-related hospital admissions in the last three years.
• Details of any complications, such as nerve problems, eye disease, kidney issues, foot ulcers or heart and circulation problems.
• Your height and weight so that your body mass index can be calculated.
• Information about your blood pressure and cholesterol.
• Any other long term conditions and medications.
• Steps you are taking to manage your diabetes, such as losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising more or reducing alcohol.

It is vital to answer all questions from insurers fully and honestly. If important information is left out or mis-stated, they may have the right to refuse to pay a claim later on. A good broker can help you understand which details are most important and how to explain them clearly, without overcomplicating the application.

Can insurers refuse life cover to people with diabetes?

Yes, it is possible for an insurer to decline an application. Each company has its own underwriting rules, and some are stricter than others. Typical reasons for refusal include:

• Very high BMI, especially in combination with other risk factors
• Recent diagnosis where the insurer wants to see a period of stable control first
• Upcoming hospital referrals or investigations for possible complications
• Existing cardiovascular problems such as angina, previous stroke or heart attack
• Consistently high HbA1c readings suggesting poor control

In many cases, one insurer saying no does not mean they all will. A specialist broker can direct you towards providers that are more flexible with diabetes and may suggest waiting until your control improves or a planned treatment is complete before trying again.

How much does life insurance cost for diabetics?

Life insurance premiums can start from as little as †£5 a month, but there is no single price for diabetes life insurance. Premiums are highly individual and depend on both the usual factors and details specific to your condition.

The main factors insurers consider

• Your age and gender
• How much cover you want and for how long
• Your occupation and hobbies
• Whether you smoke or vape nicotine products
• Your height, weight and BMI
• The type of diabetes you have and when you were diagnosed
• Your latest HbA1c readings and general trend over time
• Any complications or other medical conditions

Because diabetes increases the chance of serious health problems, insurers will usually add a loading to your premium. As a broad indication, cover can cost around 50% to 150% more than it would for a similar person without diabetes, although figures vary widely.

Some specialist policies build in a review process where the insurer checks your HbA1c at regular intervals. If your control has improved and you have made positive lifestyle changes, they may lower your premium at that point.

FAQ’s – How does life insurance work for people with diabetes?

How to arrange life insurance if you have diabetes

Securing life insurance with diabetes is usually more about finding the right route than accepting that it will be difficult or expensive. Starting with a clear picture of your health, including recent tests and any lifestyle improvements you have made, makes conversations with advisers and insurers much more straightforward.

• Collect copies of your latest HbA1c, blood pressure and cholesterol results.
• Make a note of your diagnosis date, treatment regime and any complications.
• Be prepared to share details of hospital admissions and specialist appointments.
• Speak to a specialist life insurance broker who regularly works with diabetes.
• Compare quotes from several insurers rather than accepting the first offer.
• Review your cover and health regularly, as improvements might justify a new application at a lower premium.

With the right guidance and some preparation, most people in the UK who live with diabetes can still put solid financial protection in place for their loved ones. By staying on top of your blood sugar, working with your medical team and being open with insurers, you give yourself the best chance of securing comprehensive, good value cover that does what you need it to do.

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