Updated: August 13, 2025
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Based on our analysis, John Hancock offers the best life insurance for type 2 diabetics. Mutual of Omaha has the best life insurance for type 1 diabetics.
Health risks and medical history can make buying life insurance challenging. Ethos Life is the best option for people looking for a company that allows approval without medical exams.
AIG offers the best flexibility for term life insurance for diabetics. Nationwide provides the top whole life insurance option for those seeking permanent coverage, while Prudential offers the best policy for people with complicated medical histories.
John Hancock and Mutual of Omaha offer the best life insurance for type 2 diabetics and type 1 diabetics, respectively. The best provider for you depends on your needs and circumstances. Some companies offer lower rates, while others have more personalized offers for people with diabetes. Here are the best life insurance companies for different coverage needs:
Company | Best For |
|---|---|
John Hancock | Type 2 Diabetics |
Mutual of Omaha | Type 1 Diabetics |
Ethos Life | No Medical Exam |
AIG | Term Flexibility |
Nationwide | Whole Life Insurance |
Prudential | Complicated Medical History |
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 644
AM Best Rating: A+
BBB Rating: A+
MoneyGeek's Take: John Hancock’s Aspire With Vitality program combines life insurance with a wellness program for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It includes valuable savings on life insurance for making healthy choices.
Because of its Aspire program, John Hancock leads the pack for best life insurance for type 2 diabetes. The Aspire rider combines John Hancock life insurance with companies Vitality and Onduo to incentivize people with diabetes to make healthy choices.
The Vitality program can cost as little as $2 per month and may be added as a rider to any John Hancock fully underwritten life insurance policy. Vitality offers ways to track and identify health and lifestyle goals, with rewards for making healthy choices.
Onduo works in conjunction with your diabetes treatment plan, offering clinical and coaching support and diabetes tools for healthy living.
Making healthy choices may save you up to 25% on your John Hancock life insurance premiums for diabetics, subject to program terms and conditions. You'll also receive a complimentary Amazon Halo or a significant discount on the most recent Apple Watch.
The Vitality program also provides travel, retail and grocery discounts, and a complimentary Amazon Prime membership. Onduo sends people with type 2 diabetes a customized free diabetes kit with virtual access to diabetes experts and personalized health coaching.
Policy Types Offered:
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 659
AM Best Rating: A+
BBB Rating: A+
MoneyGeek’s Take: Mutual of Omaha offers competitive pricing for life insurance for type 1 diabetes and a guaranteed-issue whole life policy for people with diabetes over the age of 45.
Mutual of Omaha’s competitive underwriting for life insurance for people with type 1 diabetes makes its policies a top choice. It offers term, whole life and universal life insurance policies that require full underwriting.
Term life insurance for those aged 18 to 80 comes in customizable terms of 10, 15, 20 and 30 years, starting at $100,000 in coverage. The company also provides universal life and indexed universal life with coverage starting at $25,000, up to $500,000 or more, based on financial needs. It offers some of the best life insurance rates for type 1 diabetics, but not everyone will be approved.
For those between 45 and 85, Mutual of Omaha has a guaranteed-issue whole life insurance policy with coverage up to $25,000. This policy doesn’t require health questions or a medical exam, and you’re guaranteed coverage as long as you can afford the premiums.
Mutual of Omaha is available nationwide and allows online quotes, making it easy for you to find out how competitive its rates are compared to other life insurance for people with diabetes.
Policy Types Offered:
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): NOT AVAILABLE
AM Best Rating: A+
BBB Rating: A+
MoneyGeek’s Take: Ethos offers term and whole life insurance options that don’t require a medical exam, which could mean more affordable coverage for people with diabetes.
Ethos, a tech company, is a licensed producer and third-party administrator of life insurance, working with some of the industry's top life insurance carriers to sell reliable policies, including Legal & General America, AAA Life, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., TruStage Financial Group, Inc., Senior Life Insurance Company and Mutual of Omaha. Ethos uses artificial intelligence to underwrite and initiate coverage without medical exams quickly. The available term policies range from $20,000 to $1.5 million in coverage, with terms ranging from 10 to 20 years in length for applicants ages 20 to 65.
Its simplified underwriting process means most people won't have to complete a medical exam, although answers to health questions may require you to complete an exam to be approved.
Through AAA Life, Ethos provides up to $25,000 in whole life insurance for diabetics between the ages of 66 and 85. Coverage is guaranteed, and no health questions or medical exams are required.
With guaranteed approval, senior diabetics can get life insurance coverage in just a few minutes using Ethos’ completely online application process. These policies come with a graded death benefit, which means if you die in the first two policy years, your beneficiary will receive the premiums returned plus 30%. However, accidental death is covered 100% from when the policy is bought.
Policy Types Offered:
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): Not Available
AM Best Rating: A
BBB Rating: Not Available
MoneyGeek's Take: AIG offers the best term life for diabetics, with flexible terms and coverage limits, so you only pay for the coverage you need for as long as you need it.
AIG offers some of the most flexible terms for temporary life insurance coverage of any carrier, with competitive rates compared to competitors. Most life insurers offer term life insurance coverage for 10, 20 or 30 years without options in between. AIG's Quality of Life Flex Term (QoL Flex Term) allows you to choose the number of years you need coverage.
You can opt for term policies from 10 to 35 years in length and any number in between. For example, if you want a 17-year term life insurance policy to cover the rest of your mortgage loan, AIG's QoL Flex Term will provide a guaranteed level death benefit for the life of the mortgage.
QoL Flex Term also includes living benefits riders, so you don’t have to pay extra for these valuable riders.
Coverage begins at $100,000 for all AIG term life insurance policies. If you don’t need extra flexibility, AIG also offers standard term life insurance and renewable term life insurance, which renews annually or every five years until you cancel the policy.
At AIG, type 1 diabetics are required to complete a medical exam to determine eligibility. Depending on their overall health and family history, people with type 2 diabetes may qualify for term life insurance without a medical exam.
Policy Types Offered:
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 666
AM Best Rating: A+
BBB Rating: A+
MoneyGeek’s Take: Nationwide offers competitive pricing on whole life insurance for diabetics, with several optional riders to tailor the policy to individual needs.
Nationwide offers two types of whole life insurance for people with diabetes: traditional and simplified issue. The traditional policy comes with two payment options. You can opt for lower-than-average premiums, but the policy requires payments until you reach age 100, or you can pay higher premiums for 20 years, and the policy is fully paid until death.
Rates and eligibility depend on your age when diagnosed with diabetes, how well-controlled your condition is, and your current treatment plan. Healthy type 2 diabetics may qualify for whole life insurance without a medical exam as long as the coverage amount is $100,000 or less. type 1 diabetics who are insulin-dependent can't get traditional whole life insurance with Nationwide. However, the insurer offers an alternative. Nationwide's simplified issue whole life insurance policy provides up to $50,000 in whole life coverage, requiring only basic health questions on the application.
This policy has a graded death benefit, which means if you die in the first two years of the policy, your beneficiary will receive the premiums returned plus 7% in annual interest instead of the full death benefit. To qualify for simplified-issue whole life with Nationwide, you must be a current Nationwide policyholder or the spouse, child, or grandchild of a Nationwide policyholder.
Policy Types Offered:
COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
J.D. Power (out of 1,000): 626
AM Best Rating: A+
BBB Rating: Not Available
MoneyGeek's Take: Getting life insurance for diabetics can be challenging, and a complicated medical history can make it even more difficult. Prudential offers life insurance for type 1 and type 2 diabetes, even for former smokers.
Prudential's life insurance underwriting methods make it the best life insurance for diabetics with a complicated medical history. For example, if you have high blood pressure or are overweight but excel at controlling your blood sugar, Prudential will use blood sugar credits to offset the higher cost of other health conditions.
Prudential applies this approach to all policy types, face amounts and ages, even for smokers. Depending on the specific conditions and severity, nonsmokers may qualify for the plus underwriting class, making rates even more competitive than the standard class.
If you want to bypass the medical exam, Prudential offers no-exam term life insurance for people with diabetes, with coverage amounts of up to $500,000. To qualify, you must fill out a diabetes health questionnaire, which the underwriting team will evaluate. You can start a quote online, but having a complicated health history means you must speak with a Prudential representative to get a finalized quote.
Policy Types Offered:
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can increase the risk of several health complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. You'll want to find a life insurance company that understands the health risks associated with diabetes and offers coverage that meets your needs. This guide covers factors to consider, coverage add-ons and average costs. We'll help you choose a policy that fits your needs.
Getting the best life insurance as a diabetic takes more than applying to any company. Proper preparation and timing can save you hundreds of dollars in premiums.
Focus on achieving the best possible A1C levels before starting your application process. Aim for an A1C below 7.5%, as this demonstrates excellent diabetes control to insurers. Work with your doctor to stabilize your medication regimen and maintain consistent glucose monitoring.
Document at least six months of stable control, including regular specialist visits and preventive care like annual eye exams and kidney function tests. This preparation period shows insurers you're committed to managing your condition proactively.
Not all insurers treat diabetic applicants equally. Research each company's specific approach to diabetes cases and look for specialized programs. Some insurers exclude diabetics from their preferred rate classes entirely, while others may offer competitive rates for well-controlled cases.
Work with an agent who has extensive experience placing life insurance for diabetics. Experienced agents understand which companies are most likely to approve your application at favorable rates and can guide you away from insurers with restrictive diabetes policies. They can also help you present your health information in the most favorable light and prepare you for the underwriting process. Independent agents who work with multiple carriers often provide better options than captive agents representing only one company.
Apply when your diabetes is most stable and well-controlled, not immediately after a diagnosis, medication change, or hospitalization. Avoid applying during stressful life events or when dealing with other health issues that might temporarily affect your blood sugar levels. Schedule your medical exam when you're feeling well and your glucose levels are stable.
If you've recently had diabetes-related complications, wait until your condition has stabilized and you have several months of improved management documented.
Gather all relevant medical documentation before starting your application, including recent A1C results, medication lists, and specialist visit records. Be completely honest about your diabetes history, as insurance fraud can void your policy later.
Prepare for detailed questions about your diagnosis date, treatment evolution, any complications you've experienced, and your daily management routine. Having this information organized and readily available speeds up the underwriting process and demonstrates that you're well-informed about your condition.
Don't limit yourself to traditional fully underwritten policies. Explore simplified issue or guaranteed issue options if your diabetes is poorly controlled, as these may provide coverage when traditional policies won't.
Consider starting with a smaller coverage amount that requires less intensive underwriting, then applying for additional coverage later when your health management improves. Also, evaluate whether term or permanent life insurance better fits your needs and budget, as permanent policies may offer living benefits that can be particularly valuable for diabetics.
These steps help you get the best possible rates and terms, regardless of whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes or how long you've been managing your condition.
A1C is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar (glucose) levels over the past 2 to 3 months. It's also called the hemoglobin A1C or HbA1c test.
The test shows the percentage of hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells) that has sugar attached to it. Since red blood cells live about 120 days, the A1C gives a longer-term view of blood sugar levels than a daily test.
A1C Ranges and What They Mean
Life insurance companies review A1C levels as part of the underwriting process. A higher A1C suggests less stable blood sugar control, which can lead to higher premiums or even policy denial. Conversely, a lower A1C within the target range can improve your eligibility for better rates.
When comparing life insurance companies for diabetics, focus on these key factors:
Each insurance company has its own underwriting guidelines, which determine how it assesses the risk of insuring people with diabetes. Look for a company that has experience providing life insurance for diabetics and offers flexible underwriting guidelines that take into account your overall health, age and other risk factors.
There are two main types of life insurance: term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance covers a set period, typically 10-30 years. It's generally less expensive than permanent life insurance. Permanent life insurance covers your entire life and includes a savings component that allows you to accumulate cash value over time.
Look for a company with a strong financial rating and a history of paying claims on time. You can check the financial strength of a life insurance company by reviewing its ratings from independent rating agencies such as AM Best, Moody's and Standard & Poor's.
By taking the time to research and compare different life insurance companies, you can find the best coverage to protect your family and loved ones.
Life insurance companies use a risk-based classification system to determine premiums. For people with diabetes, this system considers factors like A1C levels, age at diagnosis, type of diabetes, treatment method, and presence of complications.
Insurers usually use five main health classifications, ranging from the best rates to higher-risk categories. Here's how each classification applies to diabetics:
Preferred Plus (Super Preferred)
This rating offers the lowest premiums, but is nearly impossible for diabetics to get. Some insurers exclude all diabetics from this tier. A few may consider type 2 diabetics diagnosed after age 40 with exceptional control, no complications, and A1C consistently under 7.0.
Preferred
Rare for insulin users, but some well-controlled type 2 diabetics on oral medications may qualify. Typical underwriting criteria include:
Standard Plus
More common for diabetics with moderate control and no severe complications. Criteria may include:
Standard
Often the baseline for diabetic applicants. Insurers may accept:
Table Ratings (Substandard)
If diabetes is poorly controlled or complications are advanced, insurers apply table ratings. These add 25% per table level to the base premium (e.g., Table 2 = +50%). Reasons include:
Life insurance riders can add valuable benefits to your diabetic life insurance policy. Available riders vary by company and policy type.
Explore all rider options, but pay particular attention to living benefits. These benefits, also called accelerated benefit riders, allow you to withdraw money from the death benefit while still alive. If you’re diagnosed with a chronic, critical, or terminal illness, you can access the death benefit and use the money in any way you choose.
A guaranteed-insurability rider is another option to consider. This rider lets you buy more life insurance at specific ages or life events, like getting married or having a baby. Your health isn’t a factor, so you can increase your insurance even if your health has worsened since you took out the life insurance policy.
The waiver of premium for disability is another valuable rider. With this rider, the insurer pays your premiums once you meet the qualifying criteria, usually after a waiting period. If you become disabled, this rider can prevent your life insurance from lapsing if you can't afford the premiums.
The cost of life insurance for people with diabetes varies by company, coverage amount, age and overall health. To understand how much you might pay for life insurance for diabetics, MoneyGeek gathered several term life insurance quotes to provide a range of expected premiums.
The cost information below is a monthly estimate generated for a nonsmoking male with type 2 diabetes with a $250,000 policy.
Term Length | 30-Year-Old | 40-Year-Old | 50-Year-Old | 60-Year-Old |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10-Year Term | $15–30 | $25–45 | $40–70 | $80–150 |
20-Year Term | $20–45 | $32–55 | $60–100 | $150–300 |
The cost information below is a monthly estimate generated for a nonsmoking male with type 2 diabetes with a $500,000 policy.
Term Length | 30-Year-Old | 40-Year-Old | 50-Year-Old | 60-Year-Old |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10-Year Term | $18–40 | $27–55 | $60–100 | $150–350 |
20-Year Term | $25–55 | $40–70 | $100–200 | $300–600 |
Rates vary because life insurance providers weigh cost factors differently. Comparing quotes from multiple companies can help when looking for the best life insurance policy for diabetics. Use our life insurance rate calculator below to get accurate estimates based on your needs.
We’ll give you a suggested amount of cover to buy in just 3 easy steps. — it's free, no personal information required, no spam.
Rates updated:
Aug 20, 2025
When shopping for the best life insurance for diabetics, research and compare different life insurance companies and the factors insurers consider when determining eligibility. Be prepared to provide the following information when you apply for life insurance as a diabetic:
This is the age you were when you were diagnosed with diabetes. Typically, the older you are when you're diagnosed, the better your life insurance rate will be.
Most diabetes cases in America are type 2, and insurers typically offer better rates than those provided to type 1 diabetics. This is primarily because type 2 is more easily controlled through diet and lifestyle choices, whereas type 1 is insulin-dependent. Most carriers won’t approve applicants with gestational diabetes unless they apply for guaranteed-issue life insurance.
While treatment plans vary, how well you manage your diabetes is important to a life insurance provider. If your diabetes and blood sugar are well-controlled through medication, regular doctor's visits, plus a healthy lifestyle and diet, you stand a better chance of getting the best life insurance rates for diabetics.
The health history of your parents and siblings can also affect your life insurance eligibility and rate. If immediate family members died before age 60, had diabetes themselves or have complex health histories, a life insurance company could view you as too risky to insure, especially with genetic factors involved.
When applying for life insurance, other health and lifestyle factors make a big difference in the cost and availability of coverage. If you have high blood pressure or are overweight, your rates could skyrocket or even make you ineligible for coverage. Alcohol use is another determining underwriting factor since excessive consumption can lead to diabetes-related complications such as retinopathy, a diabetic eye disease.
If you have diabetes, there are a few ways to lower the cost of your life insurance policy:
With 11.6% of Americans living with diabetes, finding the right life insurance for diabetics can be challenging, but coverage is available. Life insurance companies assess various factors, such as the severity of your condition, the type of diabetes and your treatment plan, to determine if you qualify for coverage.
We've analyzed thousands of life insurance quotes to help you find the best coverage for people with diabetes.
Diabetics often face additional challenges when seeking approval for affordable life insurance. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about life insurance for people with diabetes.
Yes, getting life insurance for diabetics is possible. Providers offer life insurance for type 1 diabetics and life insurance for type 2 diabetics, considering factors like health management and diabetes control. It's vital to compare the best life insurance policies for diabetics to find suitable coverage.
Yes, people with type 2 diabetes can buy a life insurance policy. Life insurance companies look at various factors to determine how much you’ll pay for life insurance for type 2 diabetes. Your age at onset, how well it’s controlled, and the treatment plan in place are key factors used to determine eligibility and pricing.
Yes, people with type 1 diabetes can buy a life insurance policy, although it can be more challenging to get approval than it is for people with type 2 diabetes. type 1 diabetes is less common and harder to control, which means it’s riskier for insurers to offer life insurance for type 1 diabetes, but it's not impossible. If you’re otherwise healthy, you stand the best chance of getting approved at an affordable rate.
People with diabetes can expect to pay more for life insurance than the average. Your age at diagnosis, whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your treatment plan and how well your diabetes is managed will determine your rating class. If you have other health conditions, it can be challenging to get approval for life insurance.
The amount you’ll pay above average rates depends on your age, the type of life insurance you apply for and how much coverage you need. Each company looks at diabetes differently, so you should get several quotes to determine which life insurance company is best for you.
A guaranteed-issue life insurance policy is typically the easiest type to get approved for if you have diabetes. This type of life insurance doesn’t include health questions on the application, and you won’t be required to complete a medical exam. However, a guaranteed-issue life insurance policy is usually the most expensive policy you can buy and typically has a death benefit maximum of $25,000.
If denied life insurance because of diabetes, explore alternative options such as guaranteed-issue life insurance for diabetics or specialized policies from companies known for offering life insurance for people with diabetes. You can also improve your eligibility by better managing your diabetes and overall health.
Finding life insurance with diabetes feels overwhelming, especially when you're worried about coverage denials or sky-high premiums. That's why we built our research specifically around what matters most to people managing diabetes: which companies actually approve applications and offer fair rates. Our methodology cuts through industry jargon to identify insurers that provide real financial protection for diabetic applicants and their families.
How We Analyzed Life Insurance for Diabetics
We evaluated major life insurance carriers using a comprehensive scoring system that weighs the factors most important to diabetic applicants. Our analysis combines industry data from trusted sources with our own rate research to ensure accurate rankings.
Our Rating Components
Additional Data Sources:
Selecting Category Winners
For rankings requiring unique product offerings for diabetic applicants, we conducted qualitative research to confirm product availability, then selected winners based on overall rating scores and affordability metrics.
This approach ensures our recommendations reflect real-world experiences for people with diabetes seeking life insurance coverage that fits their health situation and budget.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
