Best Life Insurance for Diabetes in 2026

Banner Life is the best life insurance for diabetics, with competitive rates, reliable customer service and flexible coverage options. But the best insurer for you depends on factors like your A1C levels, time since diagnosis and overall diabetes management. Underwriting standards vary widely, and some carriers are more willing than others to reward well-controlled diabetes with favorable premiums.

Banner Life is especially competitive for people with well-managed Type 2 diabetes, though people with higher A1C levels or diabetes-related complications may not qualify for its lowest rates. Nationwide is another solid pick, backed by an exceptionally low NAIC complaint index of 0.08, a figure that points to above-average customer experience. John Hancock also stands out for its Aspire program, a wellness initiative designed specifically for people living with diabetes, offering resources and incentives not commonly found among other major insurers.

* Rates shown are for nonsmoking 40-year-olds with a 20-year, $500,000 policy.

Life insurance underwriting for diabetics focuses primarily on A1C levels, diabetes type and the presence of diabetes-related complications. People with well-controlled Type 2 diabetes and no notable complications can qualify with the same major insurers available to non-diabetic applicants, sometimes earning Standard or even Standard Plus rates.

People with Type 1 diabetes, elevated A1C levels or complications such as neuropathy, kidney disease or cardiovascular issues pay higher premiums and have fewer carrier options. Even so, coverage remains available through many insurers, though underwriting outcomes will depend heavily on your disease management and health history.

Life insurance companies use a risk-based classification system to determine premiums.

The cost of life insurance for people with diabetes varies by company, coverage amount, age and overall health. A 40-year-old diabetic pays an average of $52 per month for women and $66 per month for men on a $500,000 20-year term policy, per MoneyGeek's analysis. Rates triple between ages 40 and 60, reflecting the compounding effect of age and diabetes on mortality risk.

Estimates based on MoneyGeek's analysis of sample profiles for educational purposes only. Your actual rates will vary based on your health profile, diabetes type and management, insurer underwriting guidelines, and other factors. These figures shouldn't be considered quotes or guarantees of available rates.

Three changes have the most direct impact on your diabetic life insurance premiums:

• Quitting smoking lowers premiums, but insurers won't reclassify you as a nonsmoker until you've been tobacco-free for at least 12 months.
• Wearable health trackers can unlock discounts at insurers that monitor member activity and reward measurable improvement.
• Consistent diabetes management reduces complications over time. Fewer complications translate to better ratings at renewal or when switching insurers.

• Group Life Insurance Through Your Employer: Group life insurance offered through an employer can be especially valuable for diabetics because you can get coverage with little or no medical underwriting.
• Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance: No health questions or medical exams are required for guaranteed issue policies. Coverage runs from $2,000 to $30,000 with a two-year waiting period; if death occurs within those two years, the policy returns premiums plus interest. These policies are best suited for diabetics with multiple complications.
• Final Expense Insurance: Final expense policies cover funeral and end-of-life costs with coverage from $2,000 to $50,000. Simplified underwriting applies and policies are issued within days.

Twelve percent of Americans have diabetes, and coverage is available to most of them. Insurers assess condition severity, diabetes type and your treatment plan to determine eligibility and rate.

Banner Life is the right starting point for most diabetics. Its rates are competitive and it writes policies for the widest age range of applicants on our list. 

If customer service quality matters most to you, Nationwide's NAIC complaint index of 0.08 is the lowest of any carrier we reviewed, and it's worth the slightly higher premium for applicants who want a smoother claims process.

Type 1 diabetics and applicants with A1C above 9.0 should start with John Hancock's Aspire program. The wellness incentives won't offset the higher base premiums, but it's the only carrier here with underwriting infrastructure designed specifically for complex diabetic profiles.

If you've been denied coverage, guaranteed-issue life insurance is a realistic fallback with coverage up to $30,000, though premiums are higher than traditional policies and a two-year waiting period applies. Most diabetics with even moderate condition management qualify for traditional underwritten coverage. Getting your A1C below 7.5 and applying with six months of stable readings gives you the best chance at a Standard rating.

Diabetics often encounter additional challenges when seeking approval for affordable life insurance.